You can visit hundreds of roaming cats at Canada’s largest cat sanctuary in Metro Vancouver

If you’re a big cat lover, you’ll definitely appreciate being surrounded by hundreds of adorable cats and kittens at Richmond’s Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) Cat Sanctuary. Considered the largest of its kind in Canada (and one of the largest in all of North America), the organization rescues homeless and abandoned cats of all ages, giving them a permanent, loving home. Fortunately, the sanctuary opens to visitors at select times of the week, and here’s everything you need to know before visiting.

What to know before you go

Who runs the cat sanctuary?

Through the efforts of 100 dedicated volunteers, the sanctuary fosters a loving, clean, and safe environment for over 500 cats from across B.C., many of which are feral. RAPS is also one of only a few shelters to house leukemia- and FIV-positive cats, ensuring they are just as loved and cared for during their lifetimes.

And don’t worry; the sanctuary’s tame and feral felines cohabitate peacefully, receiving dedicated care ranging from medical support from veterinarians to morning blanket therapy.

Is it safe to visit feral cats?

The sanctuary assures visitors that neither feline leukemia nor FIV affect humans or other animal species. These cats are housed separately only to ensure that the other cats are not exposed.

“In many shelters, a positive diagnosis would mean euthanasia,” says the sanctuary on its website. “RAPS was founded with the vision that all animals deserve the right to their best life.”

As a no-kill animal-serving agency, RAPS ensures that no animal in their care is ever euthanized due to a lack of space, treatable illness, physical defect, age, or any behavioural or socialization challenges. It’s what truly makes this space so special.

Can I adopt any of the cats?

While there are some adoptable cats currently living at the sanctuary, most are feral, older, or have behavioural issues. Open since 1999, the sanctuary’s aging feline population requires increased veterinary costs, as many need dental and blood work and X-rays to diagnose various health conditions that come with age.

Another way you can support the cats is by sponsoring one, which entails a minimum commitment of $25 a month ($300 per cat, per year). So if you visit and connect with one or a handful of cats in particular, you always have the option of supporting their continued care.

You can also get your friends or coworkers together to organize a group volunteer session, which gets you a tour of the entire sanctuary and plenty of quality time with the cats and kittens.

How much does it cost to visit?

Tickets are available online for $16.82 a pop, with various time slots available depending on the day. Once a time slot is sold out, entry can’t be guaranteed, so visitors may be asked to wait to enter when the sanctuary reaches capacity.

When is the sanctuary open to visitors?

You can visit the cats at RAPS Cat Sanctuary between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Note that children under six years old are not permitted to visit the sanctuary.

When: Open on weekends
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: 3380 No. 6 Rd., Richmond
Cost: $16.82 per person 

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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