Richmond Animal Protection Society

Updated on Oct 23, 2023

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Founded 1989 Area served British Columbia		Type non-profit charity Revenue $1.2 million in 2013

Focus No kill animal sheltering, trap-neuter-return Location Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Meowbox visits raps the richmond animal protection society

Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a no kill animal services agency in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, which has Canada's largest cat sanctuary.

Richmond animal protection society cat sanctuary

History

In 1989, Carol Reichert founded the Richmond Animal Protection Society (then Richmond Homeless Cats), the first organization in the Richmond area helping feral cats. At the time, feral cats were quickly killed upon entering local animal control pounds, which Reichert was horrified to learn. Volunteers started to do trap-neuter-return of feral cats, including fostering and taming feral kittens, and fostering tame cats for adoption. There were soon 43 feeding stations for feral cats tended each day in Richmond and south Vancouver.

In 1999, space was donated for a shelter, which became the location of a cat sanctuary. To try to reduce the number of homeless pets, the organization subsidized spay/neuter surgery for low-income pet owners, helped people recover lost pets, and offered solutions to behavioural problems.

Determined to end needless euthanasia of animals, the organization bid on the municipal animal shelter contract in 2006. On February 1, 2007, RAPS took over operation of the City of Richmond animal shelter and implemented a no-kill policy for the animals regardless of age, medical needs or adoptability. The organization reports on its website that the "implementation of our no-kill philosophy has been very successful and we are finding safe and loving homes for hundreds of shelter animals." RAPS reported a 95% save rate in 2011. The same year, Reichert said, "We’ve proved that you can operate without killing. It’s twice the work for us, but it can be done, and it’s very rewarding to operate that way.”

By early 2012, in five years of running the municipal shelter, RAPS had "handled more than 2,000 dogs, 1,800 cats, 300 rabbits, 50 farm animals, 350 small animals (like birds, reptiles and ferrets) and temporarily housed 1,500 injured wildlife." "Wildlife such as skunks, raccoons and birds are cared for by RAPS staff and transferred as soon as possible to wildlife rescue." Reichert retired in April 2014 after 25 years of service.

The Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity that operates the City of Richmond Animal Shelter and, independently, one of North America’s/ Canada's largest cat sanctuaries. RAPS is proud to be a no-kill organization, which is among the reasons and have built a strong and devoted community of animal-loving allies.

Ban on retail pet sales

RAPS worked with the city to ban the sale of rabbits and dogs from pet stores. The sale of rabbits was banned on April 1, 2010. A city councillor stated that extending the ban to dogs was "a first step in sending a message to puppy mills and will reduce the number of dogs surrendered to shelters". RAPS had noted "a steady stream of surrendered dogs, originally bought from pet stores, whose owners lose interest once their purchases outgrow the cute puppy stage." The bylaw prohibiting sales of dogs went into effect on April 30, 2011, and survived a court challenge from pet stores.

Cat Sanctuary

The cat sanctuary, located on six acres (2.4 hectares) of suburban farmland, has been described as "Club Med for cats". There are two main buildings and twelve smaller ones, including a kitten house and two houses for cats with the Feline immunodeficiency virus. Another area is provided for cats with the Feline Leukemia Virus. "Enclosed decks on the main buildings provide indoor cats with access to fresh air and sunshine", while the "fenced outer yards and cedar cottages provide a safe haven and home to more than 200 cats who prefer an outdoor life." In February 2014, the sanctuary housed approximately 640 cats, down from 850 in 2005.

The sanctuary is maintained by about 100 volunteers. "The cats' health is monitored by a highly specialized team of animal care workers who have been trained to handle and medicate feral cats, and who work closely with local veterinarians." The sanctuary is funded by private donations and revenues from the RAPS thrift store, which opened in 2006.

The sanctuary welcomes visitors on Sunday afternoons.

Low cost spay/neuter

RAPS continues to provide low cost spaying and neutering of local cats.

Bunny waste for the garden

In October 2014, RAPS' website said it had "over 40 domestic rabbits for adoption, and they create a lot of waste. This waste is great for adding to your compost bin or adding to your garden directly. You can pick up as much as you want at the Richmond Animal Shelter."

Notable rescues

Isabelle came to RAPS in great distress on December 21, 2016, having been severely burned in a house fire. She suffered from severe second-degree burns to her face, head, eyes and ears, and the top of her body, small areas of her legs and the tip of her tail. She was in extreme pain and suffering from high levels of anxiety and severe itchiness.

Coconut the cat - On approximately August 3, 2012, Coconut, a male white persian cat, was discovered abandoned inside a pet carrier in a bushy area by the Richmond Nature Park. Coconut was "dehydrated and starving when his rescuers found him. He was sitting in his own urine and feces, which created an abscess that has required surgery." Coconut received three surgeries and hundreds of stitches. On October 4, 2012, a staff member posted that Coconut was doing much better.

50 dogs abandoned - In August 2013, on a night with heavy rain and a thunderstorm, 38 small dogs were abandoned anonymously at the RAPS shelter, while 12 more dogs were abandoned at the New Westminster city shelter. The dogs were friendly small dogs, in good health, delivered in crates and cages that were in poor condition, with two to three dogs to a crate. RAPS staff had never heard of so many dogs being dropped off at once in the city. An estimated $12,000 was spent for spaying and neutering the dogs and providing other veterinary care and supplies, which was mostly recovered with adoption fees. Public response was strong, with more than 150 applications received to adopt the dogs. By October 2, 2013, most of the dogs had been adopted.

Milo the dog - In July 2010, Milo the dog, a male four-year-old mastiff-shepherd cross, was found by a city worker on Highway 99 with injuries from an apparent car crash. "X-rays revealed that Milo's back left thigh bone had been broken into at least three pieces." RAPS launched a public appeal "for help in finding the owner, the driver responsible for hitting the dog and donations to help pay for the surgery in the event that the owner cannot be found or cannot afford the medical care." Milo had an identification tattoo, but attempts to contact his owner were unsuccessful. Milo was given surgery, round-the clock care, and hydrotherapy treatments for his rehabilitation.

Rambo the ram - In August 2011, Rambo the ram "sent police officers on a mad chase through city streets", until he was lassoed with a rope provided by a citizen. Rambo was "quite stressed out from all the action, but he eventually laid down for a rest in the backyard of a home where police finally caught him." Arriving at the RAPS shelter, he was reported to be "quite happy": “He just went straight to the hay and started munching; he was like ‘okay this sounds good.'”

References

Richmond Animal Protection Society Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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