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Summer CAT Camp 2026

CAT Camp 2026 Recap

Inspiring Future Animal Advocates 

This summer, 84 young cat enthusiasts ages 7–13 joined us for CAT Camp, where every day was filled with learning, creativity, compassion, and plenty of purrs.

Designed to give children a behind-the-scenes look at animal welfare, CAT Camp combines hands-on activities, STEM-based projects, crafts, and real shelter experiences. Throughout the week, campers adopted their own plushie cats, learned how cats communicate, built elaborate cardboard cat castles, created enrichment toys, stepped into the role of a veterinarian, and explored what it takes to help cats find loving homes.

One of the most meaningful parts of camp was spending time with Cat Depot’s adoptable cats and kittens. Whether reading to them, playing with them, or simply enjoying their company, campers formed special connections while learning about responsibility, empathy, and compassionate care. They also created adoption stories and advocacy projects inspired by shelter cats from our Adoption Center.

Beyond the activities, CAT Camp helped children connect with others who share their passion for animals. Many campers arrived as strangers but quickly formed lasting friendships through their common love of cats and desire to make a difference.

Each session concludes with campers proudly reciting the CAT Camp Oath, promising to treat animals with kindness, care, and respect and to use what they learned to help cats feel safe and loved.

Thank you to STAR Financial Solutions for supporting Cat Camp and inspiring the next generation of animal lovers!

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Camp Dates & Hours

Session Dates:

Registration Information

Registration Fee: TBD

Discounts: 20% off for a second camper (sibling discount) 

Fee Includes: Camp T-shirt, daily snack, and all craft supplies 

Contact Us: For help with the registration process, or to learn more information, please reach out to the Cat Depot Camp team directly at education@catdepot.org.

CAT Camp FAQs

Location Information

CAT Camp is located in Cat Depot’s Community Center: 2545 17th St, Sarasota, FL, 34234. All of the camp activities will take place in the Community Center. Tours of Cat Depot’s Adoption Center are not included in Camp.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Instructions:

Cat Depot provides a 15-minute window for drop-off and pick-up.

  • Drop-off: 8:45AM –  9:00AM
  • Pick-up: 1:00PM – 1:15PM

Photo ID is required for pickup. Only authorized individuals listed on registration forms may pick up campers. 

If you need to arrive outside these times, please knock at the front entrance. 

Sign-In / Sign-Out:

 A parent or authorized adult must sign campers in and out each day. Campers must be picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal.

Food & Water

  • Bring a labeled, spill-proof water bottle clearly labelled with your camper’s name
  • Campers may bring a light lunch or additional snacks 
  • Cat Depot provides one daily snack 
  • Cat Depot does not have the ability to heat or chill food 

What to Wear & Bring 

  • Closed-toe shoes (sneakers recommended) 
  • Comfortable shorts or lightweight pants 
  • T-shirts or breathable tops that can get messy 
  • Please avoid clothing with strings, tassels, or dangling items. 
  • Cell phones and smartwatches must be stored away during camp hours. 

Animal Interaction & Risk Acknowledgment
While Cat Depot takes every precaution to ensure safe and positive interactions, working with animals always carries some inherent risk. Campers may experience minor scratches or nips, even when following proper handling techniques. All interactions with cats are closely supervised, and campers are taught appropriate, gentle handling and how to recognize feline body language.

By participating in camp activities, parents/guardians acknowledge and accept these risks. Any incidents will be addressed immediately by staff, and parents/guardians will be notified as appropriate.

Medications Policy 

Routine medications should be taken at home and will not be administered during camp. 

Exceptions are made only for emergency medications, such as rescue inhalers for asthma or EpiPens for severe allergies. These require prior written parent/guardian authorization and must be clearly labeled and accessible at all times. 

Allergies 

Please list all food and environmental allergies during registration. While precautions are taken, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. 

Behavior Expectations 

Campers are expected to treat animals, staff, and fellow campers with kindness and respect. For safety reasons, all campers must follow staff instructions. Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in dismissal without refund. 

Group Size & Supervision 

Each session includes up to 20 campers with one trained staff and at least 2 screened volunteers to ensure a safe and engaging experience. 

Illness & Emergencies 

In case of an emergency, 911 will be called immediately. Children with symptoms like vomiting, fever, cold, discharging eyes, stomach pain, rash, diarrhea, sore throat, or nausea cannot attend camp. If a child gets sick at camp, they will be isolated, and the emergency contact/parent will be notified. 

If your child is absent, please notify us by phone or email. 

Photo Release 

By registering, you grant permission for your child to be photographed during camp activities. Images may be used for educational and promotional purposes.

Cancellation & Refund Policy 

All refund requests must be submitted in writing. Cancellations made one week before the session starts are eligible for a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued once a session has begun. Cat Depot reserves the right to cancel sessions if necessary. 

Should your camper be late, need to be picked up early, or be unable to attend one or more days of camp, there will be no refund, in full or prorated for days/time missed. 

For help with the registration process, or to learn more information, please reach out to the Cat Depot Camp team directly at education@catdepot.org.