ADMISSION POLICIES

Many people think that because we’re a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, because we’re a “no-kill” sanctuary, and because we have a lot of cats that we have to take in unwanted cats from the public.

      What they don’t know is that there is no law or government policy that requires us take in unwanted animals. It is our option. We are a private Florida not-for-profit corporation and can decide, ourselves, whether we want to admit a particular cat – and, we can legally charge a fee to do so.

      The only people who are required to take in unwanted animals at no charge is Animal Control. Most Humane Societies take in unwanted pets, too. Both will take them in and usually put them down within 72 hours. Some will do it immediately, some will wait.

Lifetime Care: $400 per cat admission fee

We accept cash or checks. Payment must be made at the time of admission. We are no longer admitting cats and waiting for the money to arrive...

     If you can contribute any additional time or money, it will help us save another cat or help us build more facilities. Anything extra you can do will be greatly appreciated.

     We do not accept cats that need daily medical care.

EXCEPTIONS to admission fee

1. If the cat has FIV (feline AIDS) or FeLV (feline leukemia) or both FIV and FeLV, there is no charge - though donations are accepted. Vet test results MUST accompany the cat at the time of admission.

2. If the cat has been neutered or spayed, has had recent rabies and distemper shots, and is otherwise healthy, the charge is only $300.00. Paperwork from the vet MUST accompany the cat at the time of admission showing the neuter/spay and shots.

3. There is no charge if the cat is a kitten under 12 weeks old (or 3 pounds).

Admission form

If you want us to admit your cat to the sanctuary, you can find a copy of our Admission Form at Admission Form Page 1 and Admission Form Page 2. Be sure to print out and sign BOTH pages.

     The form has the usual questions about the cat and its owner. There is a short agreement at the end of each page whereby the owner agrees to surrender the cat to us. The agreement transfers all ownership and visitation rights for the animal to us.

People who surrender their cat(s) to us usually want us to do something special for their cat. We can’t do it for each (normal) cat that is surrendered.

     Be sure to indicate any problems on the Admission Form where it asks for “Special Diet/Medical Conditions.”

     No, our cats do not live like they “used to” – for many, it will be a better lifestyle, for others, they’ll adjust to a new environment of communal living. And they do adjust. They’re cats – once they know the “lay of the land” they find a soft, comfortable spot and sleep all day!

Other places to go

If there are any doubts about surrendering a cat to us, then owners should find somewhere else that they feel is more appropriate.

     Otherwise, they can surrender their cats to us and (must) go on with their lives. Once a pet is surrendered to us, we become its legal owner and are responsible for its well-being.

     Prior owners need to remember that their former pets are safe and well cared for at our sanctuary. They can visit their former pet when the Sanctuary has an Open House or by appointment.

Isolation, confinement and release

Once a cat arrives at the sanctuary, it is brought to our isolation area and put into a 2'W x 3'D x 2'H cage that is large enough to contain a small carrier, a food/water bowl, and a small litter pan. There is still room in it for the cat to stretch out and the top of the carrier acts as a shelf.

     The cat is confined for 2-3 weeks so that we can monitor it's health and temperament.

     This time period helps the cat adjust to its new surroundings and new caregivers. Confinement does not hurt the cat.

     When the cat is judged “ready to be released,” we move it, in it’s cage, to the habitat’s shed. It is kept there for 2 or 3 days, so the other cats can “meet and greet” it! (Typically, they ignore the newcomer!) The shed has food and water and the newcomer will see the other cats eating and drinking there. By the 3rd day, we open the door and let the newcomer out. Since it can’t escape from the large enclosure, it will remember where the food and water is and come back to it later, to eat.

     Once released, the cat will explore its new home and become a member of its new “colony.”