Puffy Paws Kitty Haven — Local services in Englewood

UPDATE: I took them to court over this - Sarasota County Case No. 2025 SC 00524 SC. All info is public and I strongly suggest anyone that is thinking of handing over their cat to these people look up the Statement of Claim and read the evidence for yourself. The judge said that their practices were questionable but that legally a text promising to return him without "consideration" isn't enough, and the case was dismissed before going to trial. One thing that stood out to me throughout this process is when I mentioned the grief of losing Tori, Rick (the cofounder) SCOFFED and said, "over a cat?" as if his life meant nothing. I feel so sad for the kitties in their care. I am now fully convinced that they're only in it for the money.

I adopted a neighborhood stray that I bonded with very much but he ended up testing positive for FIV and FeLV so my vet told me to rehome him asap to protect my other kitties. I should have taken my time doing more research because I very much regret leaving him in the hands of Puffy Paws.

Chrissy is one of the founders and I met up with her at an animal hospital to drop off my kitty, Tori. We made a verbal agreement that I could check on him at least until he adjusted to his new home because I knew he was very sensitive and may have some trouble. I told her I’d rather have him back than for him to starve to death because of depression. She sent me photos of him when he first arrived and kept promising to send more but never did. She would post photos of other cats but never of Tori. I became very concerned and she tried to reassure me that he was fine but never proved it. After months of the back and forth, I finally decided to ask for Tori back this past December. She was a bit rude about it but said I could have him after the holidays. She told me not to contact her, that she would contact me, but January came and went with no word. I reached out again on January 31 and in February. I just wanted him back. She finally responded by telling me Tori passed away. She claims to have taken him to the hospital on January 3 where he had to be euthanized. That was 13 days after she AGREED to give him back. I even told her I’d pick him up from the animal hospital if she had to go there for any reason. I was devastated. I still am. I asked for his records 3 times because I want to know what happened and why the vet decided euthanasia was the only option, but have received nothing. All she said was that “FeLV took him from us” with no other explanation of symptoms or a valid reason why she didn’t call me to meet her at the hospital and make a decision for Tori myself. She said she would send me his ashes that week (February 18) but it’s now April and I haven’t received anything. In my gut I believe something happened to Tori long before January 3, but I have no way of proving it. I think about him every day and am full of guilt and regret over not doing more homework about his condition and this shelter.

Puffy Paws lacks transparency and Chrissy doesn’t keep her word. They don’t allow visitors and because they are a private shelter, they do not have the same requirements as public shelters. They claim to have over 200 cats but in the several months that I followed them on their social media they only posted a handful of them. They apparently have a lot of “personal issues” that didn’t allow Chrissy to take pictures (her words, not mine), which makes me question if their issues are getting in the way of taking proper care of so many cats. That is, if they do have as many as they claim to.

I would strongly caution anyone from leaving their cats with Puffy Paws or donating without first demanding more transparency from them, whether that be to share more current photos and videos proving that hundreds of cats are being well taken care of in a safe and enriching environment, or posting more than just a receipt here and there to show where every penny goes. Public records show they receive a LOT of money...

Rick and Crissy Kingston who are the blood,sweat and tears of Puffy Paws are an inspiration to cats and cat lovers. They take care of special needs cats which is emotionally and physically exhausting. They fought the evil people of their town and won, with the highest standards on cleanliness and care of these kitties. Donate anything you can. They are truly transparent and every dollar counts. Let money not be one more thing they worry about to take care of these kitties. Can even donate directly to the vet office if you are the skeptical type or send kitty supplies off Amazon. Truly one of the rare charities where the money goes to the cause, not overhead. Love their mission, their work, their dedication. The handful who leave a 1 star review are probably upset they won't take in every cat when people want to get rid of them or not adopt them out. Every cat rescue faces the sane issue, they can not...

Puffy Paws Kitty Haven was the ONLY place that said they would take in a pregnant cat, that showed up at my house looking for help, that is still just a baby herself when every other place I called told me no. Other places would just tell me to call animal control. I definitely wasn’t doing that. I am so happy that Puffy Paws took this sweet baby in, without hesitation, and will give her what her and her soon to be babies will need. And lots of love!!! Rick was very nice. I also love that I will be able to see updates for this sweet kitty and soon her babies on their Facebook page. I highly recommend Puffy Paws!! I will definitely be donating to them from their website to help them help all the kitty’s. Thank you again Puffy Paws for caring about this sweet pregnant kitty when no one else did....