One by One
Regional Animal Protection Society, Recipient

Regional Animal Protection Society

Richmond, British Columbia

Volunteer T-shirts are a purr-fect fit for animal services agency

Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit no-kill animal services organizations. Founded nearly 30 years ago by a group who began taking care of stray cats attracted to a fish cannery, that passion for animal care has grown to include a large cat sanctuary, an adoption centre, an animal hospital and three thrift stores.

“We have nearly 500 cats in our cat sanctuary,” said Alison Brady, volunteer coordinator. “It’s the largest cat sanctuary in Canada. They are all animals deemed ‘non-adoptable.’ Any cat that comes into our care will either go to our adoption centre or the sanctuary, depending on their health and other factors. We specialize in cats with behavior and health issues.”

A holistic approach to animal care

While the sanctuary and adoption centre are strictly for cats, the RAPS animal hospital treats all animals, from cats and dogs to rodents, birds, reptiles and rabbits. The hospital—as well as the thrift stores—function as a revenue source for the organization. All the profits go toward helping not just the animals in its care and in the area—but also the people responsible for those animals. The thrift stores help support the mission while providing low-cost goods to community members.

RAPS takes a systems level approach to animal welfare. Through education, community services and social enterprise—like its thrift stores—RAPS works to address the root causes of animal homelessness. The RAPS animal hospital offers 0% interest payment plans to help remove barriers that prevent pets from getting the quality care they need.

Recognition for a dedicated team

A one by one grant provided branded T-shirts for the organization’s volunteers. These volunteers contribute to nearly every program and service, ranging from passionate animal lovers who’ve been with RAPS since its inception to high school students completing required volunteer hours for graduation. About 220 volunteers help run the cat sanctuary. “Helping in the cat sanctuary isn’t a glamorous role,” Brady said. “There’s a shift people sign up for that’s just scooping out litter boxes and cleaning floors. But people do it because they care about the mission.”

Hospital volunteers received their shirts during Volunteer Appreciation Week in April. It’s a small but meaningful gesture of appreciation, Brady said. Plus, the shirts will increase visibility for RAPS in the community for years to come.

“When we have our budget meetings, I’ve sometimes brought up volunteer T-shirts. But there are always more important needs, like new equipment for the hospital or upgrades at the sanctuary,” Brady said. “So this grant opportunity was huge.”

A note from Cheryl

From its animal hospital to its adoption services to its sanctuary, RAPS has saved or improved the lives of countless animals over nearly 30 years. We were proud to support its mission—if even in a small way—by providing volunteer T-shirts. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, onebyone.4imprint.ca.

For more information about Regional Animal Protection Society, please visit https://rapsbc.com/

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