Do you know that there are extra pet cats in Canada than canines? In 2024, roughly 8.9 million felines have been to be present in Canadian houses, in comparison with 8.3 million canines.1 Sadly, there are additionally between 1.4 and 4.2 million stray and feral cats within the north,2 with Canadian shelters taking in round thrice as many stray cats as canines.3
Of those cats, some are safely returned to their relieved homeowners, and lots of discover new, loving houses, however what about these cats who’ve been deserted, surrendered, or born within the wild who, for a wide range of causes, are unsuitable or unlikely to be rehomed?
A lot of the time, these cats can be destined for euthanasia. Confronted with obstacles like overcrowding, scarce assets, illness danger, and medical prices, most animal shelters have to undertake a ‘triage’ method to the animals that come by way of their doorways, and behavioral points, well being issues, bodily defects, and previous age can flip right into a loss of life sentence. That is partly on account of monetary constraints and lack of house, but additionally the moral dilemma of leaving cats in short-term lodging for prolonged durations. Nonetheless, because of a really particular group of individuals on the Regional Animal Safety Society in Canada, many of those cats are given the prospect to dwell out their lives in peace and good well being.
The Evolution of RAPS
Through the Eighties, in response to the rising variety of stray and feral cats in Richmond, Vancouver, a small group of devoted cat lovers fashioned the Richmond Homeless Cats Society. These volunteers labored tirelessly to offer meals, shelter, vet care, and, most significantly, spay/neuter companies to the rising feline inhabitants. This group grew to become the Richmond Animal Safety Society, who, in 2007, have been awarded the Metropolis of Richmond Animal Shelter contract, the place they established a no-kill coverage. 2017 noticed a remaining title change to the Regional Animal Safety Society, which higher displays the work they do for the broader neighborhood.
The RAPS Cat Sanctuary
To supply a long-term answer for cats who required long-term or everlasting lodging within the animal shelter, RAPS established its Cat Sanctuary in 1999. It’s the solely facility of its type in Canada and one of many only a few in North America. Realizing that their feline inhabitants have been unlikely to be rehomed, the sanctuary is designed with everlasting residents in thoughts. Even cats with sicknesses akin to feline leukemia and FIV are offered for in separate amenities to maintain them and the opposite feline inhabitants protected.
House to greater than 500 cats, the RAPS Cat Sanctuary is confronted with an issue echoed by human healthcare: the rising medical prices of an ageing inhabitants. Lots of the cats on the sanctuary live with geriatric well being points akin to dental illness, kidney issues, diabetes, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism, and remedy doesn’t come low cost. RAPS will depend on donations and sponsorships, revenue from their thrift shops and fundraisers, and their a whole bunch of devoted volunteers to offer the amenities, gear, meals, healthcare, and love these cats want.
How Is a Cat Sanctuary Totally different from a Shelter?
Image in your thoughts an animal shelter. Now erase that image, as a result of this sanctuary is a lot greater than a shelter. It’s a veritable haven for cats to dwell their lives, not simply bide their time. Verdant archways, sunny verandahs, excessive perches, and comfy cubbies present house for cats to discover and stretch their legs and decrease the stress of shared habitats. Totally different personalities and temperaments are accommodated, and every cat is free to do as a lot – or as little – as they please.
The sanctuary can be open to guests, with entry charges serving to to maintain the group working, and the interplay enriching each human and feline lives. Customer numbers are fastidiously managed to make sure the cats don’t really feel overwhelmed, and strict pointers make sure that the well-being of the feline inhabitants is put first.
The cats on the sanctuary are obtainable for adoption, ought to the fitting match current itself, however it’s not the highest precedence right here. In distinction to an animal shelter, the place the first focus is to seek out cats a ceaselessly house as shortly as potential, right here on the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, they have already got.
Go to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary web site for extra data on how one can help the great work they do, together with a one-off donation or month-to-month dedication, sponsoring a cat, volunteering on the sanctuary, company sponsorship, or visiting the cats.
