'Sometimes the cats like it': Chorus sings Christmas carols for homeless felines at B.C. sanctuary
On a crisp December morning, days before Christmas, music filled the air at a cat sanctuary in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
The Richmond Chorus was back for what has become a beloved annual tradition: serenading the homeless felines in the care of the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) with Christmas carols.
"Sometimes the cats like it, sometimes they don’t," acknowledged Brigid Coult, who has conducted the chorus for 30 years. "But the volunteers always seem to appreciate it."
This year, a few cats – famously curious creatures – seemed captivated by their live entertainment.
As the festively dressed singers performed, the felines sat and stared, sometimes taking a moment to disruptively bunt their heads into a songbook, or adorably stretch their legs in a sunbeam.
"A couple of them were listening," said Coult, who has also been a RAPS volunteer for the last 13 years.
"Most of them were off wandering around in other places," she added with a laugh.
The sanctuary wasn't the only stop for the chorus this week – the singers tour the city every December, performing for the donor organizations that keep the non-profit Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association thriving throughout the concert season.
The audience at RAPS does get special treatment, however, in the form of what singers have dubbed their "cat-mas carols" – holiday classics with modified (or meow-dified?) lyrics.
Some lyrics stick close to the originals, such as: "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your ornaments shine temptingly."
Other songs are rewritten in full, such as the group's twist on "We Three Kings of Orient Are," sung from the perspective of a house cat: "Home is heaven, Home is good, Home is where we get our food, Why go out for Christmas parties? Frankly, we're not in the mood."
Anyone interested in supporting the Richmond Chorus – and providing opportunities for "amateur musicians to share the joy of music in practice and performance," as per the organization's website – can make a donation online and receive a tax receipt.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win the U.S. Open for her third Grand Slam title
Aryna Sabalenka got past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking U.S. Open women’s final Saturday to win her first championship at Flushing Meadows and third Grand Slam title of her career.