- Rajah's Story - City Contract Renewed! - RAPS' 20th Anniversary - ACO Tales - Adoption Profile - Rat Saved! - Pet Store Cat Rescued - Foster care needed - Coin drive - Recycle for RAPS - Sniffles! - Rescue Network - Feb. Fundraiser Coins for Cats & Dollars for Dogs The Richmond Animal Shelter is collecting Coins for Cats & Dollars for Dogs.
Everyone accumulates a lot of small change, and that change can make a
big difference for homeless animals at the Richmond Animal Shelter.
Collect your small change and then come visit the shelter animals and
add your change to our fundraising bottle to feed homeless animals! The
animals will appreciate your visit and your donation. Recycle for RAPS!
Here's
a great way to recycle while helping RAPS care for the animals. Just
take your empty bottles and cans to the Ironwood or Blundell Return It
Centres in Richmond and, before the cashier rings up your returns, tell
him/her that the proceeds will be going to RAPS. When the cashier gives
you a receipt, write RAPS on the back along with your own name and
telephone number. Then, return the receipt to the cashier. It's that
easy!
Adoption Profile: Sniffles the Rabbit Sniffles
is a cute little black and white bunny. Why is he called
'Sniffles'? Well, he sometimes sneezes a lot for no particular
reason, but they are cute little bunny sneezes! Come meet
Sniffles at the RAPS City Shelter and see if he would fit into your
family!
Animal Resources Blog starts network in Richmond
At
the request and suggestion of many readers, a RAPS volunteer has set up
a website for people to share resources and suggestions on pet care,
pet-friendly rental housing and other information that might be of
interest to other pet owners and animal lovers. The website
is located at richmondanimals. blogspot.com. Check out the blog for details on the kind of information we hope to post.
So what advice do you have for your fellow Richmond-ites? Email your suggestions to rapsblog@gmail.com. We hope to get a lot of suggestions!
"Paws for the Heart" Fundraiser at Meow & Bark Avenue coming in February.
February
is heart month, and the Meow & Bark Avenue store in Steveston will
be celebrating all month long. Check back to the RAPS website in February to find out more. IN GOOD HANDS Pet Sitting Service
Planning
a get away? Leave your home and animals In Good Hands.
Honest, reliable, mature women with dog walking experience will spend
quality time with your pets in the comfort of your own home. Your home
is safe - your pets are happy.
References available Call Kim:604-340-2873 kimsnider@shaw.ca
Rajah, the Alaskan Malamute, a Little Closer to Alaska!
Rajah, 160 lbs. Alaskan Malamute, finds a perfect home
Rajah
came to RAPS well over one and a half years ago. He had been chained in
a yard by his previous owners, and was untrained and aggressive as a
result of his shaky beginnings. Through the patience, dedication and
hard work of RAPS' dog trainers, within a short time Rajah was expertly
learning commands, but that was only the beginning of Rajah’s success
story! Rajah had a long way to go before he could be adopted. For
another year, staff and volunteers worked with Rajah to help him get
along well with people and dogs alike. As the months went by, the love
and care that Rajah received was evident in his new friendly demeanor.
No longer did he bark at visitors to the RAPS City Shelter. But where
was the right forever home for such a large dog from a working breed
background? RAPS staff looked long and hard for a place where Rajah
could be the dog he was meant to be -- a happy, well-trained Alaskan
Malamute -- and that home has now been found! Rajah now resides in
Whistler, playing in the snow and even pulling a sled! Rajah and his
dedicated owner are the perfect match! We are so delighted that Rajah
came to RAPS, because his story is a perfect example of why RAPS is so
dedicated to no-kill sheltering. RAPS is Awarded the City Shelter Contract Once Again! RAPS
staff, supporters and animals cheer as the first no-kill Richmond City
shelter continues operation for another two years!
The
City of Richmond City Council has voted in favour of awarding the
Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) another two-year contract to
run the City of Richmond Animal Shelter. High praise came from
City staff on the operation of the City Shelter during the last two
years of RAPS' governance when the Safety Committee convened in
December. Although the last two years have been challenging,
RAPS staff, volunteers and supporters came together to make sure
Richmond continues to have a no-kill city shelter. Thank
you to everyone who has given their time, money, and support to
RAPS. You are the heart and soul of animal rescue in Richmond!
RAPS' 20th Anniversary: A milestone for celebration and renewal
The
year 2009 marks 20 years that RAPS has been rescuing and sheltering
animals, thanks to the unwaivering support of donors and
volunteers.
The Society began as Richmond Homeless Cats in 1989 and has blossomed into the Richmond Animal Protection Society
through its 20-year history. Now, it's time to celebrate the past
and the present, and to prepare for the future. Check back to our
website often to find out more about upcoming 20th Anniversary events and celebrations.
This
year, we are launching a capital campaign to ensure that RAPS can
continue to care for animals well into the future.
Check upcoming newsletters for more information on "Rescuing the Future", RAPS' 20th Anniversary Renovation and Renewal Campaign. Tales from the Road by RAPS ACO, Shane Burnham
Editor's
note: Rarely do the words "Animal Control" and "No-kill shelter" go
together because many people believe that no-kill shelters can only be
"no-kill" because they carefully choose which animals to shelter.
Not the case for RAPS! As the operator of the City of
Richmond Animal Shelter, RAPS must take in every homeless animal
regardless of adoptability. However, our Animal Control Officers
(ACO) have the same difficult job and same strange stories to tell
about working as an ACO in Richmond. Here are a few of those
tales.
Dec 20: A citizen reported a peacock
wandering in their neighbourhood and was concerned for it due to the
cold weather. Officer Kilborn attended and located the bird and
captured it. The complainant said they would care for it and return it
to the owner when they got home.
Dec 30: Report of a
sick-looking dog. Officer Burnham attended dog owners' residence and
while speaking to them was assaulted. Burnham called for RCMP
assistance. RCMP arrived on scene shortly after and assisted Burnham
with dealing with the owner. Under investigation.
Dec 31: A
citizen requested assistance in removing a stray cat that entered their
house and was hiding under their bed growling. Officer Burnham
attended and after a few unsuccessful attempts to get the cat out from
under the bed finally succeeded and brought the cat to the shelter. The
cat's owner reclaimed it shortly afterwards.
Adoption Profile: Surfer Surfer
is a friendly 5-year-old dog. He was surrendered to our shelter because
his owner could no longer look after him. Surfer is very friendly with
people, dogs and cats. He has not been trained to walk properly on a
leash and will need some dedicated training with his new owner.
Otherwise, Surfer is eager to please and willing to learn! Please come
visit Surfer at the Richmond Animal Shelter!
Ditch Rat Finds a Temporary Home at RAPS The cold, wind and snow this holiday season was hard on many animals, but this rat had had enough.
You
never know what kind of animal might need the help of the RAPS City
Shelter. During one of this holiday season's storms, a Richmond
family opened their front door to find a half-frozen ditch rat waiting
for help. The rat seemed to sense the good intentions of these
thoughtful people, and ran into their home. These kind animal
lovers decided to take the friendly rat to the shelter for help, and
the rat willingly jumped into the family's hampster ball for transport
to the shelter. Of course, the RAPS staff gave the animal food,
water and a place to warm his tail, which had been partially
frozen off in the cold. Luckily, the rat made a full recovery
(minus his tail of course!). He was so happy to be well again
that he made a leap for freedom the first chance he got and is off on
his next adventure. The RAPS staff wish him well, and we are
grateful for the opportunity to help this stranded and frozen
animal.
Adult Cat Rescued from Pet Store in Richmond Community members report poor conditions for a cat in a pet store. RAPS volunteers pay to get the cat rescued.
Last
fall, RAPS received complaints from concerned residents about poor
conditions for an adult cat at a pet store in Richmond. This poor
animal had been caged, and, as an adult animal in a pet store, had
little hope of being purchased at the $699.00 that the store was
asking. To bring her relief, two dedicated RAPS
volunteers went and purchased the beautiful cat from the pet
store. This sweet cat, named Crystal, was brought back to the
RAPS City Shelter, spayed and then adopted to a wonderful
home. The new owners even donated the cost of the purchase to
RAPS to offset the cost to the RAPS volunteers. This story
is such a prime example of the responsibilities that animal rescue
workers and volunteers must take on in order to save
animals, because not only do animals need rescue from back alleys
and abandoned garages, but also from situations in plain sight of the
general public. We are so glad that Crystal is free to begin a
good life.
Rajah
came to RAPS well over one and a half years ago. He had been chained in
a yard by his previous owners, and was untrained and aggressive as a
result of his shaky beginnings. Through the patience, dedication and
hard work of RAPS' dog trainers, within a short time Rajah was expertly
learning commands, but that was only the beginning of Rajah’s success
story! Rajah had a long way to go before he could be adopted. For
another year, staff and volunteers worked with Rajah to help him get
along well with people and dogs alike. As the months went by, the love
and care that Rajah received was evident in his new friendly demeanor.
No longer did he bark at visitors to the RAPS City Shelter. But where
was the right forever home for such a large dog from a working breed
background? RAPS staff looked long and hard for a place where Rajah
could be the dog he was meant to be -- a happy, well-trained Alaskan
Malamute -- and that home has now been found! Rajah now resides in
Whistler, playing in the snow and even pulling a sled! Rajah and his
dedicated owner are the perfect match! We are so delighted that Rajah
came to RAPS, because his story is a perfect example of why RAPS is so
dedicated to no-kill sheltering. 
The
City of Richmond City Council has voted in favour of awarding the
Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) another two-year contract to
run the City of Richmond Animal Shelter. High praise came from
City staff on the operation of the City Shelter during the last two
years of RAPS' governance when the Safety Committee convened in
December. 
Last
fall, RAPS received complaints from concerned residents about poor
conditions for an adult cat at a pet store in Richmond. This poor
animal had been caged, and, as an adult animal in a pet store, had
little hope of being purchased at the $699.00 that the store was
asking. To bring her relief, two dedicated RAPS
volunteers went and purchased the beautiful cat from the pet
store. This sweet cat, named Crystal, was brought back to the
RAPS City Shelter, spayed and then adopted to a wonderful
home. The new owners even donated the cost of the purchase to
RAPS to offset the cost to the RAPS volunteers. This story
is such a prime example of the responsibilities that animal rescue
workers and volunteers must take on in order to save
animals, because not only do animals need rescue from back alleys
and abandoned garages, but also from situations in plain sight of the
general public. We are so glad that Crystal is free to begin a
good life. 
