Yami’s Story of Hope
Yami was just a tiny kitten when he and his littermates were discovered in a family’s backyard. Lost and alone, with no mother in sight, the vulnerable litter of community cats was in desperate need of help. Fortunately, the mysterious workings of the “cat distribution system” brought them to exactly the right place.
The family didn’t hesitate – they gently scooped up the kittens, brought them inside, and poured love and care into each little life.
Among the group, Yami quickly formed a special bond with the family’s young son. The two became inseparable, sharing naps, playtime, and endless cuddles. But as Yami grew, that cherished bond was threatened when he began showing signs of a troubling medical condition. The family was heartbroken and unsure where to turn.
Desperate to help their beloved companion, they reached out to Cat Depot.
Thanks to our dedicated team, Cat Depot was able to step in and provide the medical care Yami urgently needed. Today, he’s back to full health and thriving in the loving arms of his best friend.
Yami’s story is a powerful reminder of the lifesaving impact of Cat Depot’s Community Cat and Safety Net Programs. Our Community Cat Program has become a cornerstone of our mission to protect and care for Sarasota’s feline population.
Cat Depot proudly offers TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) services at no cost to the community. Each month, we perform at least 50 TNVR surgeries, and so far this year, we’ve spayed or neutered more than 500 community cats and kittens.
Together, we’re building a safer, healthier future for cats like Yami and the people who love them.
TNVR Explained
Community cats are unowned, free-roaming felines that often live in outdoor colonies. The most humane and effective way to manage these populations is through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR).
This approach, practiced and supported by Cat Depot, ensures cats live healthier lives while preventing the birth of countless litters.
Why TNVR Works
By returning sterilized, vaccinated cats to their colonies, TNVR:
- Reduces nuisance behaviors like yowling, spraying, and fighting
- Lowers shelter intake, keeping more space available for adoptable cats and kittens
- Prevents overpopulation by stopping the breeding cycle
The TNVR Process: Step by Step
- Trap: Cats are safely and humanely captured using covered traps that reduce stress.
- Neuter/Spay: Sterilization prevents future litters and improves overall health.
- Vaccinate: Cats receive rabies and FVRCP vaccines to protect them and the community.
- Ear-Tip: A small notch is clipped from the cat’s ear, the universal sign the cat has been TNVR’d.
- Return: Once fully recovered, the cat is returned to its familiar outdoor home, now healthier, safer, and unable to reproduce.
At Cat Depot, we believe TNVR is not just a program, it’s a long-term, compassionate solution to feline overpopulation. Together, we’re creating safer communities for cats and people.
TNVR Explained by Volunteer, Bennett
Volunteer Bennett has been a steady presence on TNVR Sundays for the past five months, assisting with both pre- and post-op recovery. A natural problem-solver who enjoys staying busy, he finds this role not only engaging, but deeply meaningful. His morning began bright and early, helping welcome the first feline arrivals. Watching the TNVR team in action, Bennett is continually impressed by how resourceful and creative the Cat Depot staff are, solving big problems with limited space and an even more limited budget.
He walks us through the process with care and precision:
- Each trap is labeled with a number that matches its surgery consent form – these stay together at all times.
- Cats remain in covered, humane traps to minimize stress.
- Traps are lined with cardboard and pee pads (“Chucks”) for comfort and cleanliness.
- Cats are moved on wheeled racks for both pre-op and post-op care.
- Heat lamps and warming towels help maintain body temperature.
- Respiration is carefully monitored—every 15 seconds during surgery and every 15 minutes post-op.
- Any cat that is unhealthy, underweight, or clearly friendly is flagged for possible admission into the adoption program.
- In surgery, cats progress through clearly defined stations to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Skilled veterinarians perform the surgeries and administer core vaccines—Rabies and FVRCP.
“It’s a great program,” Bennett says. “I really believe TNVR is the best way to control the cat population.”
Thanks to volunteers like Bennett, TNVR Sundays at Cat Depot run with care, compassion, and professionalism. And thanks to the program itself, hundreds of community cats are healthier, safer, and no longer contributing to overpopulation.
