Sarasota, FL (June 21, 2019) – On Saturday, June 29, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cat Depot, Sarasota’s only feline-specific rescue and adoption center, is presenting its “Kitten Whiskers” Kitten Shower and Donation Drive. The community event is being held to garner support and increase awareness regarding “Kitten Season”. Kitten season might sound like fun, especially for cat lovers, but it actually places a strain on shelters, who often times are operating at near capacity.
In addition to the much-needed donation drive, there will be activities to engage all ages throughout the day. Since the beginning of January 2019, Cat Depot has rescued over 450 kittens and is expecting that number to climb to 1,000+ by year’s end.
Requested donations include, in order of most need:
• Tax-Deductible Monetary Contributions – https://tinyurl.com/catdepotkittens
• Royal Canin Wet and Dry Kitten Food
• Royal Canin Wet and Dry Mom & Baby Cat Food
• KMR: Powdered Kitten Milk Replacement
• Microwavable Heating Discs
• Kitten Nursing Bottles
”We are here to serve needy cats and kittens of Sarasota, as well as help the people who love them,” states, Cat Depot Executive Director Jackie Ott Jaakola. “Each and every day we are smitten with kittens – and on this day we celebrate them even more. Saving lives and celebrating community are values that we hold dear. We look forward to a great turnout.”
In that spirit, to help the people of Sarasota, SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) will be hosting an onsite blood drive. For each successful blood donation, SCBB will donate a kitten nursing bottle to Cat Depot’s rescue efforts allowing blood donors to save twice as many lives.
Kitten season lasts primarily from March through October. Most areas of Florida, ours included, experience two kitten seasons because it is less cold. A female cat can go into heat at any time of year, but the majority do so during kitten season putting pressure on animal shelters and rescues. As warmer months arrive, unaltered (not spayed) female cats go into heat. One pregnant, a female cat gives birth to a litter of kittens only 60 days later.
This is the perfect time of year to volunteer or foster kittens until they’re big enough to be spayed or neutered and then adopted. And, of course, this is also a good time to adopt a cat of your own.
Cats and kittens available for adoption at Cat Depot have received complete medical exams including vaccinations, microchipping, and have also been spayed/neutered.
Potential adopters are encouraged to arrive early, as kittens (and cats!) are available on a first come-first served basis. To view a list of available cats and kittens, please visit www.catdepot.org.
*Some information regarding Kitten Season provided by The Michelson Found Animals Foundation
About Cat Depot
Cat Depot, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) free-roaming adoption center and rescue, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned and injured animals. Cat Depot’s mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide the resources and education needed to improve the destiny of homeless cats. Cat Depot supports more than 100 cats and kittens on any given day. In 2018, Cat Depot rescued 1,424 felines and assisted with local and national rescues.
Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handicap accessible. Cat Depot is located at 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. For more information, visit www.catdepot.org, or call (941) 366-2404.
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