COTR cat colony to be transferred to Richmond sanctuary
College of the Rockies has found the purr-fect solution to relocate the feral cat colony on campus.
The Regional Animal Protection Society has offered to transfer the fourteen feral cats who live on COTR’s property to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, Canada’s largest cat sanctuary.
The cats have lived on the Cranbrook campus for over a decade, but the college recently sought to have them relocated amid safety and health concerns.
No date has been set yet for when when the cats will be moved to their new home in Richmond.
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College of the Rockies has received an offer from the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) of Richmond, BC to transfer the 14 feral cats currently living on College property to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, the largest and best equipped cat sanctuary in Canada.
This facility is situated on three acres where about 400 cats – the majority of whom were homeless or feral – live together in a clean, caring environment by the nearby RAPS Animal Hospital.
“We are very grateful to RAPS for offering EKCares and the College an option for housing the feral cats,” said Paul Vogt, College of the Rockies President. “After speaking with their CEO and learning about their facilities and standards of care, we truly believe that the cats will be happy and healthy in this potential new home.”
Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) was formed in the 1980s, with a goal of feeding, spaying, and neutering homeless and feral cats.
Today, RAPS is a no-kill animal services agency that operates the RAPS Animal Hospital, an Adoption & Education Centre, Thrift Stores, and what is now Canada’s largest cat sanctuary.
“RAPS believes that every life is valuable and ensures that the cats receive high-quality care, including shelter and veterinary services, throughout their lives,” said Eyal Lichtmann, CEO, RAPS. “Within our beautiful grounds, with specialized secure housing, our cats are cared for by a dedicated team of about 200 volunteers. Also, to ensure the health of the cats, we have veterinary care available on-site at the RAPS Animal Hospital, which is one of the largest not-for-profit animal hospitals in Canada.”
“We have had many cats come to us from all over the province and they adapt well to their new home,” added Lichtmann.
The RAPS facility is compliant with the Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, a guideline document issued in 2010 by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.
The Standards mandate a level of care for sheltered animals that includes abundant indoor and outdoor space requirements, nutritious food, cleaning standards, temperature controls, and regular health testing and veterinary care.
The 14 feral cats currently maintained on the College’s Cranbrook campus are served from temporary structures, located in a fenced equipment compound, where they can come and go at will. Health and safety issues, largely due to the cats taking shelter in training vehicles used by the automotive program, prompted the College to seek another location for the colony.
Prior to the offer from RAPS, an enclosed shelter was being considered at another location on campus.
However, the College does not have the capacity to provide the facilities or level of care already in place at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary.
RAPS offers both enriched indoor and secured outdoor spaces, flower gardens, trees and a variety of lounge areas, in Richmond’s more moderate climate, as well as the team of volunteers and professional staff who provide constant care to the animals.
“The College is grateful for the devotion that EKCares has provided these animals over the years. We look forward to working cooperatively with them to ensure the best outcome for these cats. We are confident that the best solution is for them to be cared for at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary,” Vogt said.
For more information on RAPS: www.rapsbc.com
– Article includes statement and images from College of the Rockies
