who we are

Cat Depot, founded in 2003, is the largest nonprofit 501(c)(3), no-kill feline sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida. Ours is a compelling story about how a passionate few worked together to give a voice to several hundred rescued felines...

what makes cat depot unique

• we are a no-kill shelter, and we provide individualized care for felines until they are adopted
• we provide large free-roaming enclosures for many of our cats
• dvd movies, featuring squirrels, rodents, bunnies, and birds, are wheeled around the sanctuary to provide stimulation for the cats
• foster homes provide a temporary and alternate haven for cats with special needs
• we help protect the rights of abused animals
• prior to adoption, every cat is spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, must test negative for Feline HIV & Feline Leukemia, given flea preventatives and micro-chipped

services

Cat Depot…

• rescues abandoned, abused, injured and relinquished cats
• locates homes for rescued kittens/cats
• assists citizens in the trapping and neutering of stray and feral cats
• socializes feral kittens so they can be domesticated
• provides resources to pet owners who need assistance caring for the needs of their pet
• assists pet owners in finding low-cost spay-and-neuter resources

accomplishments

Since 2004, Cat Depot has

• housed & cared for 2400 felines
• found homes for 1400 felines
• facilitated hundreds of spays and neuters
• adopted out 80% of the original 262 cats we rescued, with the remainder being given life-long sanctuary and individual care in our shelter

history

In September 2003, due to the neglect and abandonment of several hundred free-roaming cats residing at a former shelter in Sarasota, Florida, five concerned citizens stepped up to the plate to rescue the felines in distress. The founders rented a small warehouse in which the cats would temporarily reside until future legal custody could be determined. Their original mission was to provide a safe haven for the cats and give a voice to those that had none.

Relocation of the cats was an amazing display of local unity and cooperation. The founders of Cat Depot, volunteers, and local animal organizations joined forces with Sarasota Animal Services to transfer the cats to their new abode, a 2500-square-foot facility. Needing a name to identify their facility, they called it “Cat Depot.” Over the course of the next few months, each cat was examined, treated, and documented by the county’s veterinarian. In total, 262 cats survived.

Many of the rescued animals needed rehabilitation, which was provided over the next five months by Cat Depot personnel. Until custody legalities could be determined, however, no adoptions were possible. Meanwhile, Cat Depot covered the expense of caring for the daily welfare of the rehabilitating felines. Finally, in February of 2004, a Sarasota County judge awarded Cat Depot legal custody of the 262 remaining felines.

Due to the overwhelming number of calls Cat Depot began receiving, it soon became apparent that there was a need for another feline shelter in Sarasota. The founders were faced with the pivotal decision of whether to find homes for the rescued cats and close Cat Depot’s doors or become a long-term adoption facility and a valuable resource to the community. They chose the latter.

location and hours of operation

Cat Depot
5933 N. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL  34243
941-351-0824, 941-351-4346 (Fax)
Email - info@catdepot.org

Cat Depot is located between Desoto Ave. and University Parkway on the west side of 301.

Hours of operation: 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., open 6 days a week, closed Tuesday and major holidays.