Sarasota, Fla (September 12, 2019) Cat Depot, a Sarasota-based, feline-only animal rescue, and adoption center is committed to providing relief services to animals in the Bahamas effected by Hurricane Dorian. With relief efforts now underway in Nassau, the Bahamas Humane Society is in desperate need to empty their shelter to make way for those animals requiring immediate assistance on their devastated islands.
Cat Depot is working collaboratively with other member organizations of the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations’ (FAAWO) to save dozens of animals from the storm-ravished areas of the Bahamas.
The Bahamas Humane Society is currently preparing animals for transport to various animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout the state of Florida, with up to 20 cats scheduled to arrive here at Cat Depot.
”Floridians fully comprehend the devastation of hurricanes and our animal welfare community is committed to helping these animals in need,” says Jackie Ott Jaakola, executive director of Cat Depot. “We have been collaboratively preparing this week for their arrival.”
Animals will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, September 13 via a flight arranged by Rich Anderson of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach, Florida, and facilitated by Greater Good and Wings of Rescue. Cat Depot representatives will meet the plane on the tarmac.
All cats arriving to the shelter have already been spayed, neutered, and fully vaccinated. However, as a precaution and per guidelines set by the University of Florida’s Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program, all animals entering Cat Depot will be quarantined for a minimum of two weeks. Once released from quarantine, the rescued cats will be available for adoption.
“The cats’ wellbeing is our number one concern,” says Jaakola. “In addition to exemplary veterinary care, we are committed to providing extra TLC to these evacuees and facilitating their journey into their new families.”
Community members interested in adopting a Hurricane Dorian relief animal or donating towards their care are asked to visit Cat Depot’s website www.catdepot.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/catdepot.
Members of the media are invited to be present upon or after the cats’ arrival to
Cat Depot on Friday, September 13. Interested parties, please contact Claudia Harden
for additional information – claudiah@catdepot.org or (941) 366-2404 x 302.
About Cat Depot
Cat Depot, a non-profit, 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 130 cats and kittens on any given day.
Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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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