RAPS cat sanctuary in Richmond is an absolute must-see for animal lovers
RAPS (Regional Animal Protection Services) Cat Sanctuary in Richmond, British Columbia, was built to house and protect homeless cats.
This cat paradise is a safe haven for over 400 free-roaming abandoned felines, making it among the largest in North America and the only one of its kind in Canada.
Unlike a shelter, which is intended to be a temporary place for homeless animals, RAPS welcomes hundreds of surrendered cats and kittens every year and finds them foster homes or offers them this sanctuary as their new forever home.
The cat sanctuary takes in feral and stray cats that are not the best candidates for adoption, some of which have medical or behavioural issues.
Functioning on a no-kill policy, it is also one of the very few cat facilities that accommodate animals with leukemia and FIV. Though neither disease is transmissible to humans or other animal species, most diagnosed cats would be euthanized elsewhere.
The sanctuary is a compound of several different buildings and courtyards. There's a fenced outdoor area that looks similar to a greenhouse where the cats are free to roam the gardens, get fresh air, and soak up the sun.
The space has even been referred to as a Club Med for cats, and it's not hard to see why.
There are also separate areas for cats with special medical needs, so that they receive the care they require and other cats are not at risk.
If you'd like to go and enjoy the company of the many furry felines, public visiting hours are every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.. You can even take a special kitty home or choose to sponsor it for $25 a month.
Before you visit, be sure to read the sanctuary guidelines so you know what to expect and how to socialize with the cats when you get there.
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