Last month, Cat Depot, a nationally recognized leader in feline rescue, adoption and education, paid a heartwarming visit to the Downtown Sarasota campus of Senior Friendship Centers (SFC). The organization, which rescues and rehomes over 1,200 cats and kittens annually (many from urgent and dire circumstances), shared unconditional love and companionship as therapy kittens brightened the smiles of participating seniors.

Since 2003, Cat Depot has served as a lifeline for felines in the Sarasota area, providing rescue, medical care and adoption services to thousands of cats and kittens. SFC, a nonprofit organization supporting older adults in four Southwest Florida counties, has been serving local seniors since 1973.

"When Cat Depot's kittens visit the Senior Friendship Centers, they bring comfort, calm and connection," says SFC Nutrition Coordinator, Tammy Neubauer. "Much like service animals, these tiny companions soothe anxiety and share love when it is needed most."

Ellie Levine, Cat Depot's Community Engagement Manager, explained the process and benefits of these visits. "When I bring cats from Cat Depot to senior centers, we pass the kitties around from person to person to give everyone some time to cuddle," she said. Levine noted that these visits are mutually beneficial: "We have found that these visits are not only beneficial to the seniors by putting a smile on their faces, reminding them of their past pets and giving them a sweet way to spend their day, but it also benefits the cats." She added that many cats return from these outings more socialized and are often adopted quickly afterward. These visits also provide valuable information for potential adopters, helping staff assess how the cats handle carriers, car rides, harnesses/leashes and interactions with the senior population.

Cat Depot currently offers kitten therapy visits to 16 facilities across Sarasota and Bradenton. Levine expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, “Visits to senior centers are one of my favorite parts of my job!”