As we know from our cats fancying that spot on the window sill, there’s just something about soaking in the sun that our cats love. Did you know that there’s a sanctuary in Canada that helps to give kitties the sunlight they crave? And allows humans to come spoil them with TLC!
The Regional Animal Protection Society of Richmond, British Columbia is a truly special place that over 200 cats call home.
According to the sanctuary website:
The RAPS Cat Sanctuary was built in order to rescue and protect homeless and abandoned cats and kittens. It is now one of the largest cat sanctuaries in North America. The Sanctuary provides a safe permanent home to hundreds of feral, abandoned and surrendered cats. Our tame and feral felines cohabitate peacefully and contentedly.
We are one of very few cat shelters that house leukemia and FIV-positive cats (neither disease affects humans or other animal species). These cats are housed in separate areas so that other cats are not exposed. In many shelters, a positive diagnosis would mean euthanasia. We ensure that they are loved and cared for during their lifetimes.
But the best part for humans who love cats? You can come frolic with the kitties in their cool greenhouse setting! Each Sunday, the RAPS Cat Sanctuary is open to the public from 1-4PM. This is a lazy Sunday cat lover’s dream come true, right?
Gotta lap that needs a cat in? *Books flight to Canada immediately!*
Check out some of their cool photos that visitors have shared to Instagram:
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If you can’t adopt one of these cats, they urge you to consider sponsoring one of these kitties in need. For only $25 a month, you can give an underprivileged cat the food and veterinary care they need for survival.
While admission into the RAPS Cat Sanctuary is free of charge, they kindly ask for a donation of $5 to go towards the cats’ care.
Hey, why sit AT the table when you can sit ON the table!
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The cats at the #rapscatsanctuary much prefer to sit on the table rather than at the table…???
For those curious as to what the difference is between a shelter and a sanctuary, RAPS clearly defines it as the following on their website…
A shelter is intended to be a temporary place where animals who are homeless, surrendered, abandoned or otherwise find themselves in need stay while they prepare for the next phase of their lives. The RAPS City of Richmond Animal Shelter welcomes hundreds of animals every year and finds them forever homes or foster homes…
RAPS was founded with the vision that all animals deserve the right to their best life. We also believe that where an animal lives should not determine whether an animal lives. That’s why cats have come to us from throughout British Columbia and beyond.
And for any those of you curious about the rules and regulations for visiting this purrfect place, they are as follows…
FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF VISITORS AND RESIDENTS, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES. THANK YOU.
- Children under 6 not permitted.
- Children under 13 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Maximum two children per adult.
- Not all our cats are tame or friendly. Please ask before you touch. Bandages & antiseptics are available in bathrooms.
- Absolutely no admission to cordoned off areas, closed pens or cages.
- Please limit the number of visitors in our buildings. If crowded, please visit a different area and return later.
- Many of our cats are on special diets. Please do not feed cats.
- Don’t pick up the cats.
- Do not disturb sleeping cats.
- Do not enter quiet zones for cats.
- Please move slowly around the cats. No running.
- Do not chase cats or restrict a cat’s movements.
- Be gentle and respectful at all times.
- Speak quietly. No shouting or raised voices.
- No flash photography.
Looks like somebody shook that treat bag!
The great people of Regional Animal Protection Society know that this purrfect place couldn’t be possible if not for the amazing people who work hard to make it the place that it is, as well those who donate.
As it reads on their site: “We are able to save and improve the lives of animals because of friends like you.“
Can’t make it to Canada? You can do the next best thing and follow RAPS Cat Sanctuary on Instagram for your daily dose of feline greenhouse cat cuteness.
REMEMBER: SPAY/NEUTER, FOSTER, VOLUNTEER, TNR & AS ALWAYS, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!
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hi – just wanted to let you know that the cats do NOT live in a green house although these pics show how lovely the place is in the summertime! The whole sanctuary is open air with cabins, shelters, and large trailers set up for the kitties to stay dry and warm when the weather is wet. They have free access to their assigned areas. Many many volunteers help to keep the areas clean, feed the cats, and cuddle them! I’m lucky to live here where my daughter and I regularly volunteer at the RAPS sanctuary. It has been in operation continuously for over 20 years. Raps also took over running the city animal shelter a few years ago, turning it into a no kill shelter. We proudly sponsor our kitty-away-from-home and have adopted 2 rescue kitties that were saved by RAPS volunteers. It is an amazing organization!