Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is a no-kill, non-profit, registered charity dedicated to the rescue of cats in the Lower Mainland. We also coordinate rescue work with other groups in BC. VOKRA does not have a shelter. Instead, we provide over 350 individual foster homes throughout the Lower Mainland. In this way we are able to protect the very young from colds, distemper, parasites and other transmissible illnesses. In a home environment, our cats are safe and well socialized, with lots of love and attention. VOKRA covers all of the costs and provides ongoing support to foster families. We formed our rescue in 2000, with the plan of caring for very young, mainly bottle-feeding kittens. This age rarely survived if found without a mother cat, because very few people know how or are able to provide the round-the-clock feeding and necessary care. We soon found that older kittens, under the age at which they could safely be vaccinated, also would do much better in a foster home. Mother cats, both tame and feral, joined the list. Another crucial part of VOKRA's work is our trap/neuter/return program. Our teams of volunteers humanely trap feral cats and kittens. Pregnant feral mothers are cared for through birthing and until their kittens are weaned, at which time we spay the mother and socialize the kittens so that they can be adopted. If the mother cannot be tamed, she is returned to her original location where volunteers ensure food and water are available daily, and the cat's health can be monitored. We also neuter feral male cats, and either adopt them out or return them as appropriate, with the same care arrangements. VOKRA has grown rapidly since its founding, from approximately 150 kittens and adult cats per year to over 800 in 2008, and 1,835 in 2014. VOKRA has become a well-known and respected organization in the animal rescue and welfare community. We engage in public education using print, radio and television media, at community events and exhibitions, and through our publications: website, quarterly newsletter, annual calendar, and information pamphlets. VOKRA does all of this entirely with dedicated volunteer workers, private donations, and bequests.