Located in rural Clark County Washington, Chapple Hill
Cat Sanctuary is a haven for rescued abandoned, injured, special needs, and feral cats. The non-euthanizing sanctuary has
been functioning since 1996 and now houses nearly 150 cats on a semi-permanent basis. All cats are given veterinary care which
includes spay/neutering, FeLV/FIV testing, vaccinations, flea, worm, and ear mite treatments and a complete check-up. Chapple
Hill Cat Sanctuary provides a unique service for cats in the Clark County area by specializing in the care of geriatric, special
needs and feral cats. Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary is a program of Solving, Inc., a 501(c)(3) designated organization.
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary was created out of the need
for a community safe haven for abused, neglected and medically fragile cats. It
was originally undertaken as the private commitment of a local couple who felt compelled by their personal values to provide
an alternative to euthanizing for these animals. Over the last several years they have found that many people share that respect
for life and a personal mission has become a community mission. The animal population in need however, is far, far greater
than any of us had ever imagined.
The calls we receive provide us some perspective on
the greater need in Clark County. Calls to the Sanctuary requesting information on placement of abandoned, abused, neglected
and medically fragile cats have steadily grown from year to year. Many calls are from individuals who are aware of an animal
in an unsafe situation and want to help but do not have the financial means to do so with their own resources. Our range of
contact, networking and rescue covers an area from Everett, Washington to Bend, Oregon focusing primarily in the Vancouver/Portland
area. We have helped people and animals in need as far away as Florida and have even helped animals when on international
journeys.
Recently we received a call from a disabled woman who
had numerous stray cats she cared for. Neighbors had complained about the cats she considered her responsibility. She had
completely exhausted herself and her finances trying to find help with spay/neuters for the cats and a possible new home for
six of the ten cats in her care. She believed she was only able to realistically care for four cats. We went to assess the
situation and were able to determine her needs. All cats were taken in for a medical evaluation and spayed or neutered. While
all the cats were slightly underweight and needed flea treatment, generally they were in good health. We were able to help
the woman to determine which cats she would keep. This was very heart wrenching for her and all of us who were there to come
to her aid. Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary adopted the six most skittish cats from the woman. They are living out their lives
at the sanctuary and can be visited by the woman as she wishes. This is just one example of the dozens of requests for aid
we receive throughout the year. Obviously we cannot take in all cats that are to become homeless. Cases such as the one mentioned
above are the ones that give us forward momentum when we feel overwhelmed by the numbers of animals in dire need of a safe
environment.
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary does all we can to rise to
the challenge presented by the growing numbers of people who seek us out for information and referral, and facilitation of
credible, professional, low cost access to medical services. We are the last recourse to basic survival for cats most people
consider to not be adoptable. We are passionate in our belief that the best control for animal overpopulation are accessible
and free or low cost spay and neuter programs.
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary is a known resource within
the community providing rescue, medical aid, and access to low cost spays and neuters to cats in need. We receive a large
volume of calls and provide information, referrals or aid to every caller. No caller is turned away. Each call is evaluated
and an outline for the most practical plan of action and most economical avenue is established. CHCS has an established relationship
with several local veterinarians. We will continue to network and build relationships in the animal medical community and
find the best values for spay neuters and medical care.
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary has been functioning at over
capacity for the past three years. We are only able to bring in a newcomer when a rehabilitated cat goes to a new home and
there becomes a rare empty space. At this time we are desperately striving for animal proof perimeter fencing for the Sanctuary
and a new habitat building for our most medically challenges cats. Since we are focused on keeping our residents healthy and
happy and we are functioning beyond capacity, we have created a more robust program to help the animals in need that do not
have the good fortune to find a place at the Sanctuary. We are able to help individuals in the community care for small colonies
of cats that are living on the fringes of society. By sharing our resources we are now able to help feed, spay/neuter, vaccinate
and provide necessary care for over 200 cats outside of the Sanctuary in the Vancouver/Portland area.
We also network through our existing contacts to reach
the public and create awareness of the absolute need for spaying and neutering each pet. Existing forms of outreach include
newsletters, a website and participation in community events which promote responsible pet care and spaying and neutering.
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary also provides on site tours
for small groups. We are able to provide a visual, hands on educational experience for the visitor in a very positive non-threatening
environment. This is a powerful way to get the spay/neuter and responsible pet care message out to the general public.
Through tireless efforts put out by the volunteers at
Chapple Hill Cat Sanctuary we are making a difference for animals in need in a very large area. Our hope is to continue to
provide and expand our services for years to come. We welcome any donations, volunteers or suggestions and encourage all members
of every community to engage in responsible animal guardianship.
