BIG CAT HABITAT & GULF COAST SANCTUARY
7101 PALMER BLVD, Sarasota FL 34240 · 941-350-6826
Last inspected Nov 14, 2025 · 7 visits since October 2023
FEB 24
SEP 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
NOV 25
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 12 points better than where it started.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no vomit clean up plan. Handed operator a plan.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $320
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024027926 | Apr 10, 2024 | Jun 27, 2024 | $320 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Nov 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken no beef stored over sliced cheese and tortillas in the reach in cooler. Operator placed them on the bottom shelf.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the ice scoop with black build up. Operator washed and sanitized it.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their make table cutting board heavily grooved.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal items stored on top of a container of customer dry goods. Operator removed it.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed the floor behind the fyrer with grease and debris build up.
Food stored on floor. Observed containers of snow cone syrup stored on the ground. Operator placed them on a shelf.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed their metal ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed it.
Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Observed a packaged light bulb stored on top of the make table. Operator removed it.
Aug 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw chicken stored over a jug of lemonade in the reach in cooler. Operator removed it.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed their chlorine sanitizer bucket at 250ppm. Operator remade it to 100ppm.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed one of their employees hired on a little over 2 months ago without certified food handler training.
Employee beverage container in ice machine/ice bin. Observed an employee drink in ice machine. Operator removed it.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease build up behind the fryers.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple single service articles not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Jan 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their cutting board grooved.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed an employee food container stored with customer drinks. Operator removed it.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed debris build up behind the flyers and flattop on the ground.
Food stored on floor. Observed a container of waffle mix stored on the floor of the truck. Operator removed it.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Sep 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Observed no knowledge of the big 6. Handed operator a copy.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no vomit clean up plan. Handed operator a plan.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed no signed agreements. Had the employee present sign and emailed them more.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their cutting boards grooved.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed their to-go containers not stored inverted. Operator inverted them.
Apr 10, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed no proof a food manger. Operator state that Sam S is their manager.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of employee training for the two employees Jared S and Ronald S working on the food truck.
Feb 9, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the the grill top hot holding: Beef (125F - Hot Holding). Operator stated it had been there for approximately 1hr. Operator turned up the heat on the grill top.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on the ground of the food truck. Operator placed the bucket on a shelf.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed no proof a food manger. Operator state that Sam S is their manager.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of employee training for the two employees Jared S and Ronald S working on the food truck.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign for the employee hand wash sink.
Oct 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the standing reach in cooler: Milk (47F - Cold Holding); Sliced cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been in there for approximately 2hrs. Operator turned down the cooler.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed sanitizer bucket solution at 200ppm chlorine. Operator emptied and refilled the bucket and tested it at 100ppm chlorine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no vomit clean up plan. Handed operator a copy to post. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed no signed agreements. Had operator sign an agreement and gave him more copies. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.