Complaint Review: Cat Depot - Sarasota Florida

I adopted a cat from Cat Depot (their former location, not the beautiful new building) in October 2008. She came with the most extensive vet report I've ever seen. This cat had slight cold when I got her, but that is common in any cat shelter. She quickly recovered and has since been healthy and a great cat.

When you get a new cat, you should always isolate it from your other animals for a week or so, just to make sure she's healthy.

I would recommend this shelter to anyone. They are amazing.

1. How could anyone write a poor review of the Cat Depot? That is really sad! ALL of the felines there have excellent medical care and are kept in sanitary conditions. Most of the cats are kept in "pods," that, to be very honest with you, are nicer and cleaner than my own living room or kitchen. I was speaking with a volunteer a couple of days ago and we both agreed that we have NEVER seen anything as beautiful as the facility at the Cat Depot. I hope that this site will allow me the option of posting some photos I took of the facility, but any review that says anything negative about the Cat Depot in Sarasota is totally unfair! It is a fantastic facility - if you don't believe me, just drop by and see for yourself!

2.  Why is it that the Rip-Off Report "photo upload" doesn't seem to work so I can share photos I took inside this facility that shows that the person who wrote this complaint is absolutly WRONG??

I am sorry to hear of your experience there. Have you been to the new facility?

I went there to drop off some donations. I went unannounced, but was greeted warmly and offered a quick tour of the place. It was very clean, I did not see any sick cats out in the general cat rooms. There was a seperate quarintine/sick bay, but I did not enter that room. The facility did not smell, it was orderly and clean. I could see they've worked very hard to become a top notch shelter. I used to volunteer in several other local shelters. Clean, roomy facilities are hard to come by.

You should drop by and talk to the new director. From what I understand, she used to be with Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. Ask them about her. I'm sure they would be able to vouch for her integrity.

I do not want to speculate as to what went wrong with the rip-off report of the Cat Depot in Sarasota.  I do know, having stopped by this past week, 1/2/2010, that the new facility incorporating over 10,000 square feet of deeply designed space is truly state of the art with a staff of caring volunteers.  I was able to readily interact with the cats (socialize) and can say I did not see any cats that were sick.  This facility and these people do care for the well being of these animals.  The 17th street facility is open 7 days a week.

All cat adoptions are important.  For the sake of the Cat Depot, please give this place a chance. 

In rebuttal to Liz Stuart's story, cat depot, a non-profit organization, is a clean and well run facility for homeless and abandoned cats and kittens. The felines who pass through their doors are tested for FIV and FeLV, given  vaccinations, spayed or neutered and microchipped.  Their health is carefully monitored seven days a week by experienced veterinarian technicians and a full time veterinarian is on call. In addition, dedicated cat care givers ensure daily quality care, nourishing food and love for each and every feline.

Upon adoption, every cat and kitten is sent home with a complete set of adoption papers.  Included in the paperwork are these statements. "We make every effort to adopt out only healthy animals. Occasionally, a healthy appearing cat may be incubating infection or be developing illness at the time of adoption that may not be apparent. It is very important to visit a veterinarian for a wellness examination within ONE WEEK of adoption"  and "If a newly adopted cat becomes ill within 14 days of adoption and should the new owner be unwilling or unable to care for the pets need, Cat Depot will accept the return of the cat and help you choose a different cat. If in the first two weeks your new pet becomes ill and you need assistance to care for its needs, contact Cat Depot to arrange appropriate veterinary care." 

A Special note on Upper Respiratory Infections. "In a typical shelter, many animals are taken in every day, some of whom have never received proper health care. Feline upper respiratory infection is the animal equivalent of a human cold or flu. The signs are (listed)."We recommend isolating your newly adopted cat from other cats in the house for the first 10 days to reduce the chance of transmission." This information is given to everyone who adopts a cat or kitten from cat depot.

Cat Depot is concerned for the wellbeing of every feline in their care and encourages  the public to visit this wonderful  safe haven for cats.