CAT DEPOT

Cat Depot operates a premier free-roaming cat rescue,shelter and a full-service feline-only veterinary clinic in Sarasota, Florida. The organization rehomes approximately 1300 relinquished or stray cats and kittens into loving homes each year. Upon intake, all cats are given a thorough exam, assessing their physical and mental well-being. The cats are treated for any health or behavioral problems they may have and then readied for adoption.Cat Depot is proud to share the following highlights and accomplishments:OrganizationalIn 2023 SRQ Magazine readers voted Cat Depot as the Best Local Animal Non-Profit, placing Bronze, and Honorable Mention for Best Local Non-Profit. Cat Depot hosted other local non-profit organizations such as Pine Shores Adventure Camp, Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and Lighthouse for the Blind, offering them a variety of programs from career informaton sessions to hands-on visitor tours.In 2023, Cat Depot welcomed 7,537 guests to their state-of-the-art, free-roaming adoption center which is recognized for its progressive design.By the close of 2023, Cat Depot welcomed 222 volunteers, primarily fosters, who generously donated over 20,000 hours of service.Cat Depot has continued to train all current employees in Fear Free practices. Fear Free helps professionals deliver better care to animals that are in their care. Fear Free mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.Adoption & RescueThe shelter found homes for 1,286 cats and kittens in 2023 (including 668 kittens and 443 adults along with numerous seniors and juveniles). The shelter rescues hundreds of cats for municipal animal services agencies annually. In 2023, 488 cats and kittens were admitted to Cat Depot from such agencies.The rate of return of adopted cats remained steady (3.5%). This can be greatly attributed to the additional time that the adoption counselors spend with the adoptors prior to adoption as part of the appointment only policy.A continued emphasis was placed on Pet Retention Services helping keep cats in their homes so Cat Depot can assist with more homeless cats. Cat Depot received 1,406 owner surrender requests in 2023. Due to the efforts and work of staff, 360 cats succeeded in being diverted from entering the shelter.In 2023, Cat Depot helped with Hurricane Idalia relief in northern Florida areas. Cat Depot transferred 22 cats from affected areas.In October 2023, Cat Depot assisted HSUS with a cruelty case in Virginia to remove 110 Maine Coon cats from a breeder. A transport team made a 24-hour round-trip to South Carolina and transported 32 Maine Coons back to Cat Depot.The Working Cat Program was officially established in 2020 as a way to help reduce unnecessary euthanasia of feral cats at Sarasota County Animal Services. Eleven cats found a second chance at life via this program in 2023. These cats are not able to be accepted into a conventional indoor adoption program and are placed into outdoor "homes" such as barns, warehouses, plant nurseries, farms, etc. to "work" with pest management and control.Cat Depot receives regular, on-going donations of various shelter supplies. These include bags of dry and cans of wet food, litter and litter boxes, toys, carriers, scratching posts, blankets, water fountains, feeding systems and bowles. Donated office supplies were also received and used for administrative purposes along with the receipt of medical equipment made possible though donated credit card rewards. Total noncash contributions for 2023 were $72,623.Cat Care ClinicThe public Cat Care Clinic has treated thousands of cats and kittens since opening its doors in 2014. In 2023, the Cat Care Clinic had 6,396 patient visits.A full array of veterinary services are offered to the community in the Cat Care Clinic at a reduced cost for clients. Low cost TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) services are also offered for community cats.The Cat Care Clinic preformed over 1,300 surgeries and specialty procedures, including 341 spay/neuters, 56 dentals and 698 ultrasounds.Shelter MedicalAll 1,371 cats and kittens entering the shelter in 2023 were treated through Shelter Medical, each receiving comprehensive veterinary exams. Based on the age, health and needs of the cats during their intake exams, will determine the additional services needed such as spay/neuter, surgery, vaccinations, microchips and any other specialized diagnostics.Shelter Medical preformed 820 spay/neuter surgeries, 50 dentals, 67 specialty procedures including eye enucleation, wound and hernia repairs and amputations.The organization continues to offer externships to veterinary students from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University Of Florida as well as the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Communications, Community Engagement and EducationIn 2023, Cat Depot's Community Food Bank fed over 12,800 community cats and cats owned by persons who qualify for income assistance in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.In an effort to expand Cat Depot's reach into the community, 3,206 participants from local organizations, schools, and nursing/assisted living centers benefitted from in-person, hands-on educational programming.Cat Depot's 2023 community outreach program took part in 24 events throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties such as the Mote Marine Mascot Race, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Grand Expo, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Business at the Ballpark, the Sarasota Holiday Parade and University Town Center's Festival of Trees. Through these efforts, Cat Depot reached over 95,300 individuals with their lifesaving mission.Donated Services and Materials:The organization regularly receives donated materials and services which are used in the shelter for the benefit of the cats.