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Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) RAPSity News
October 2009
RAPS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sat. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25-- Drop-in Obedience Class at the Richmond Animal Shelter.  (9:15-check in; 9:30 - instruction begins)

Sunday Afternoons in September -- Visiting Hours at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary (1:00 - 4:00 PM).  Call 604-275-2036 for directions.

Sept 26th & 27th -- Pet Food Drive at the Richmond Animal Shelter

Halloween "PAWty" at RAPS -- Sat., Oct. 31; 1:00 to 3:00 PM weather permitting.  Please check back at the RAPS website for the latest schedule.  Get your dog's costume ready!
The Richmond City Council needs to hear from you!
In November, the Richmond City Council will consider an amendment to the business operation bylaw requiring that rabbits in pet stores be spayed or neutered prior to sale to the public.  The spirit of this amendment is to address the extraordinary number of domestic rabbits that are loose in Richmond’s recreational areas, farms and business parks.  Please let the City Council know that you support this effort to limit the rabbit population in Richmond by emailing the council at mayorandcouncillors@
richmond.ca or call City Hall at 604-276-4134 to voice your support.
Blog updates you don't want to miss!
Do you recall Rajah?

Cheeseball the Cat!
Pandora's Journey
A home for Codi
Bunny Waste for Your Garden -- Free!
Come pick up bunny waste for your home garden!  RAPS has lots of bunny waste for pick-up at the Richmond Animal Shelter.  Just bring a box or bin during open hours and it's yours!  Take as much as you'd like!
At RAPS, volunteers are our most important resource.  We have a wonderful team of hard working animal lovers, but we always welcome more!  We are in great need of permanent volunteers at our Richmond Animal Shelter.  Can you share just 2-3 hours of your time, once a week, every week? 

Perhaps you are a cat lover.  Our Cat Sanctuary is home to almost 900 cats!  You CAN truly make a difference in the lives of our precious animals.  Please contact me at volunteer@rapsociety.com to discuss volunteer opportunities.  Or call, or leave a message at 604-275-2036. What are you waiting for? 
~Debbie Wolanski
Volunteer Coordinator

Training Tips from Downtown Dogs

Q: I want to teach my dog to speak on command, but she just won’t make a peep! How do we get her to make a sound so we can start teaching her to speak?

A: I went through the same situation while trying to teach my own dog, Roxy, how to speak on command! I’ll use my own story to illustrate what worked for us.

First, I asked myself what caused Roxy to bark on her own. She would always bark when someone knocked on the door, so I began by “faking” a knock while at the same time saying, “Who’s here?” (the “trigger phrase”). When Roxy barked, she was rewarded  instantly with a treat.

Once Roxy was consistent in her response, I started to phase out the knock at the door, only saying, “Who’s here?” When she barked, she was again rewarded with a treat (I sometimes had to repeat the phrase a number of times until she “spoke”). Over time, her trigger phrase was changed from “Who’s here?” to “Who’s a Puppy” to “What does Puppy Say?”, which is now the phase I use for Roxy’s speak command.

So, to sum up: find what provokes the desired response in your dog and use a “trigger phrase” associated with the action; reward the desired behaviour when your dog exhibits it under your direction; and gradually shape your dog’s trigger phrase into one that you would like to use for your command.  You can use this technique to train your dog to perform many different tricks. Have patience and most of all, Have fun!

Christine Reynard is the owner and trainer at Downtown Dogs.  If you have question for Christine, email her at christine@
downtowndogs.ca
The  Richmond  Animal  Protection  Society (RAPS) is a registered charitable organization that operates two shelters in Richmond, BC -- the RAPS City Shelter and the RAPS Cat Sanctuary.

Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS)
12071 No. 5 Road
Richmond, BC
(604) 275-2036
newsletter@rapsociety.com

Executive Director:
Carol Reichert

Newsletter Writer/Editor:
Christie Lagally

Newsletter Copy Editor:
Helen Savkovic

Contributing Writers:
Shane Burnham
Serena Bornholdt
Sonya Kamp
Marianne Moore
Christine Reynard

Photographers:
Tracey Garbutt
Marianne Moore
Debbie Wolanski
Cat Sitter Available
Reliable Adult Cat Sitter:  Tame or Feral.  I will provide loving care in your home.  Several years experience.  References available.

Stephanie
604-277-7622
stephross@shaw.ca
IN GOOD HANDS
A Pet 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.  Daily dog walking available.

References available
Call Kim:  778-968-3605
kim_1957@live.ca

Oh "Mia", Oh My! 
Longtime RAPS sweetheart goes home for good! 
 
Mia is a Pit Bull.  Historically, the stigma and myths about the Pit Bull breed can cause people to overlook these dogs at the shelter.  As a result, Mia was at the RAPS City Shelter longer than any dog (around 1.5 years), despite the fact that she has a wonderful personality, a happy and playful demeanor, great training potential and high intelligence.  She just needed the right person to come along, and that right person was Melanie. 

Melanie saw Mia for what she really was, and that is when the staff at RAPS realized why Mia was at the RAPS City Shelter for so long.  Mia was just waiting for Melanie.  Now these two ladies are enjoying the adventures of life together - hiking, training for agility and sharing lots of hugs!  We are so glad that Melanie and Mia found each other. 

Check out more photos of Melanie and Mia's adventures on the RAPS Blog. 
Adoption Profile:  Zody & Pepsi
By Serena Bornholdt, RAPS Volunteer

Zody is a lovely eight-year -old girl.  She has a calm demeanour and a friendly personality.  She loves to greet new people with her ‘imaginary’ tail.  Zody is an unexpectedly energetic dog on walks – don’t let her adorable grey muzzle fool you! Once she gets going, she really gets going! This little gal still has some pep in her step and would love a new partner to cuddle up to.

Pepsi is a sweet nine- year-old Min Pin. He was surrendered to us on May 15, 2009 because the child in the family was allergic. Pepsi does have a dominant streak so he will need a Min Pin savvy home. He is not good with cats due to his high prey drive, but he is great with dogs. He has lots of energy, and loves to use it up by going on bike rides and long walks or runs. If you can give Pepsi a second chance, please come down and visit him at RAPS.
Interview with Doug Takahashi
By Marianne Moore

Earlier this year, RAPS’ cat sanctuary was fortunate to be able to hire Doug Takahashi, a long-time volunteer.  It’s safe to say that everyone who knows Doug breathed a sigh of relief and said "What would we do without Doug?”  Recently, he took time out of his busy day to answer a few questions about himself. 

How long have you been involved with RAPS?
I started volunteering in January 2004 and became an employee in February of this year.

How did you first hear about RAPS and what inspired you to volunteer?
I read an article in a newspaper about a cat shelter in Richmond. I didn’t know such places existed. After looking at the website for Richmond Homeless Cats, I knew I wanted to see it. I fell in love with the place after my first visit and soon decided I wanted to spend more time there. Volunteering seemed a good place to start.

What do you do at RAPS? 
I do a little bit of everything and a whole lot of some things.  I’m not sure what my job title is, maybe "maintenance or handyman”.  I do regular maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, construction, renovations and general labour, which you could call ‘heavy lifting’.  I like to spend time organizing the storage areas and work shed.  Keeping things tidy and accessible saves me (and others) time when I’m looking for something.  I am actively involved in our recycling efforts at the cat sanctuary, sorting and returning materials to the appropriate depots.  I spend most of my time at the cat sanctuary, although I do work for the city shelter and the thrift store as well.  Oh yes, and I also drive the truck for our monthly Costco food and litter pickup.

I’ve just finished building two new sheds in the area now known as the Valerie Jones Memorial Garden.  That project took about ten weeks.  I’m now replacing the leaky roof on the double wide trailer, which I hope to finish before the weather gets worse.  I’ve been asked to build a picket fence around the small area at the city shelter where the little dogs spend their days.
(Note: The Valerie Jones Memorial Garden project was conceived of and generously funded by the family of Valerie Jones, an avid supporter of the cat sanctuary, who passed away last year).

How did you learn carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.?
I had access to my dad’s tool collection when I was growing up, mostly making myself toys and such.  While taking a drafting course at a community college, I became interested in residential construction. My first project was renovating a small TV room in my parents’ basement.   Read more of this interview on the RAPS Blog. 

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary is home to almost 900 cats that have been rescued from the streets, but who have not yet been adopted.  To help support the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, you can sponsor a cat or donate online.  The Sanctuary is open for visiting on Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.   Call 604-275-2036 for details.
Tails from the Road
By Shane Burnham

The RAPS Animal Control Officers (ACO) have a hard job, but they take every day in stride.  Here are a few of their adventures. 

SEPT 6 - RAPS received a report of a pit bull type dog running loose near the Steve Nash Sports Club. Officer Kilborn attended and apprehended the dog with little resistance. This was the fourth time the dog had been at large this year. Due to the dog being a "dangerous dog" as defined by local bylaws and this being the fourth impound, the negligent owner could not pay the fines. The dog is now in a loving home with a secure yard.
 
SEPT 10 - RAPS received a complaint from the River Rock Casino of two Rottweilers roaming the property and causing a disturbance. Officer Burnham attended and patrolled for the dogs. Burnham spoke to the valet at the casino and received a description of the dogs. The dogs were nowhere to be seen at this point. Officer Burnham, having sound knowledge of the area, attended a nearby residence where he believed the dogs were from. Burnham found the culprits back at their home. Burnham spoke to the owner and requested he keep the dogs confined to his property.
 
SEPT 11 - RAPS received a report of an injured raccoon in a tree of a resident's backyard. Burnham attended and found the young coon with twine wrapped around its arm and tangled in a branch. Overnight the twine had caused a deep incision on its arm. Burnham, with the help of the resident who made the report, cut the twine from the branch and managed to apprehend the coon. The animal was transferred to Burnaby Wildlife.
 
SEPT 15 - RAPS received a complaint about a large dog that had harassed an elderly man three times in the past week. Burnham attended and requested the owner keep the dog confined. The next day RAPS received another report. Due to the hostile nature of the owners Burnham requested RCMP assistance this time when attending. Burnham issued two tickets to the owner and requested bylaw compliance.
Shelter Wish List
A few items that RAPS needs donated this month!
  • paper towels
  • toilet paper
  • eco-friendly cleaning supplies
  • liquid (not powder) laundry soap
  • wet and dry cat food
  • plain paper
  • USB web cameras
  • Lean Cuts canned dog food
  • scotch tape
  • paving stones for the new cat run
Donations can be dropped off at the Richmond Animal Shelter at 12071 No. 5 Road in Richmond.  Call 604-275-2036 for more information.
'Tweets' from RAPS (not from birds) on Twitter!
You can follow RAPS on Twitter!  Check out the latest online updates from RAPS.  Follow RAPSociety on Twitter!
You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for the RAPS E-newsletter at either the RAPS City Shelter, a RAPS event or online at www.rapsociety.com. The Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity that operates two shelters in the City of Richmond — the RAPS Cat Sanctuary and the RAPS City Shelter. Registered Canadian Charity #890733777 RR0001. Thank you for supporting the Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS).

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Richmond Animal Protection Society
12071 No. 5 Road
Richmond, BC V7A 4Y6

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