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Gracie came from a troubled background but found comfort and a forever home at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary.

Photo courtesy RAPS

Sanctuary a lifesaver for Graycie

By Lisa Parker

Published 4:35 PST, Fri March 6, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Last summer, a woman found a cat in her yard. Observing that the cat appeared to be in very bad health, the kind resident brought the cat to the RAPS City of Richmond Animal Shelter.

The team transferred Graycie to the RAPS Animal Hospital, where she was determined to be emaciated, with infections in her mouth, eyes and ears, and with a urinary tract infection and upper respiratory infection.

After RAPS veterinarians treated her many health issues, Graycie was moved to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary for recuperation and rehabilitation.

She is improving dramatically and revels in all the extra meals she’s getting to fatten her up. She soaks in the love showered on her by the staff and volunteers … so much so that she has decided she wants to live with me in the manager’s office, where she gets unlimited cuddle time. She has also bonded with best friend Tinker, another resident whose physical challenges probably would have led to euthanasia were it not for our Sanctuary.

The Regional Animal Protection Society is a no-kill animal-serving organization. That means that, under our care, no animal is ever euthanized due to lack of space, treatable illness, physical defect, age, behavioural or socialization issues.

Keeping this promise depends on an infrastructure that accommodates animals of every ability and need. At the Sanctuary – a permanent home for nearly 500 mostly unadoptable cats like Graycie – we have special places for cats with feline AIDS and those with leukemia, as well as regimes for the many diabetic cats. We are able to provide individualized care to each animal thanks to the small army of volunteers who devote so many hours – and so much love – to our residents.

Like Graycie, many of our cats have come to us from the City of Richmond Animal Shelter, which RAPS has run, under contract with the city, since 2007. The RAPS Cat Sanctuary is independently owned and operated by RAPS, meaning that responsibility for unadoptable cats is transferred from the city (and taxpayers) to RAPS (and our many generous volunteers and financial supporters). In too many other jurisdictions, unadoptable animals do not enjoy a long and happy life. The Sanctuary is a literal lifesaver for hundreds of animals.

It is part of an emerging “RAPS Model” of financially sustainable, no-kill animal care that includes the in-agency, full-service RAPS Animal Hospital. Along with the City Shelter, a fostering network and our two thrift stores, RAPS has become one of Canada’s largest and most innovative animal organizations.

Incredibly, the cats at the Sanctuary also give back to the community. For so many people who are not permitted to have pets, due to their rental or strata regulations, the Sanctuary is a place to get their feline fix. For people with developmental, emotional or other issues, the Sanctuary is a place of recreation and rehabilitation. And for the scores of volunteers and folks who drop by during Sunday opening hours, it’s just a sweet way to spend an afternoon.

All of this is possible because of the support of the community. One way people choose to support RAPS is by sponsoring a Sanctuary cat. For $25 a month, people who aren’t allowed pets at home – and even some who are! – can “adopt” a cat at our Sanctuary.

Graycie and hundreds of others say thanks you!

Lisa Parker is Manager of the RAPS Cat Sanctuary.