Regional Animal Protection Society

Founded in 1995, Regional Animal Protection Society is a charity based in Richmond, Canada working on animal welfare, community development, housing & homelessness.

The Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity and no-kill animal services organisation based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It operates the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, which cares for hundreds of cats, an Adoption & Education Centre, a fostering network, a community-owned non-profit veterinary hospital, a Pet Food Bank and three social enterprise thrift stores whose revenues fund animal care. RAPS also provides spay and neuter services, subsidised veterinary care and support for pet guardians facing financial or housing hardship. The organisation advocates for animal welfare and housing policies that protect households with pets, and has contributed to municipal reforms in Richmond, including mandatory spay and neuter requirements and a ban on the retail sale of puppies and dogs. It serves animals and people across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Northern British Columbia, and supports other rescue groups through fostering, veterinary care and shelter. Founded in the 1980s as the Richmond Homeless Cats Society and incorporated in 1995, it adopted its current name in 2017.