Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Last inspected: Nov 14, 2025
58
Score
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary has been inspected nine times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 14, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around six violations lately compared to roughly four violations before.
“Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary's latest score of 58 falls below the Sarasota average of 81. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their make table cutting board heavily grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed the floor behind the fyrer with grease and debris build up. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed containers of snow cone syrup stored on the ground. Operator placed them on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed their metal ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
58
Aug 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed their chlorine sanitizer bucket at 250ppm. Operator remade it to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
Intermediate - 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.
53B-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container in ice machine/ice bin. Observed an employee drink in ice machine. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-14-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease build up behind the fryers. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple single service articles not inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
58
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their cutting board grooved. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a container of waffle mix stored on the floor of the truck. Operator removed it.
08B-38-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed debris build up behind the flyers and flattop on the ground.
36-01-4
Basic - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
78
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-07-5
Intermediate - 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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - 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. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their cutting boards grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed their to-go containers not stored inverted. Operator inverted them. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
67
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-10: Observed no proof of employee training. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-10: Observed no proof of manager training. **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
82
Feb 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - 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. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored on the ground of the food truck. Operator placed the bucket on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - 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. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - 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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign for the employee hand wash sink. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
55
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - 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. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-27-4
High Priority - 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. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - 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. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - 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. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
61
Feb 15, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed expired license 12/1/22 please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
50-17-3
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine sanitizer bucket at 200ppm. Employee corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - 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 cleaning plan. Emailed management vomit plan.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed blocked hand sink with bucket and ice cream machine parts. Person in charge corrected by removing items.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - 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 employee health reporting agreements. Emailed management employee health agreement forms. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed ice scoop in cooler and popcorn server with handle touching product. Employee corrected by removing scoop handles from touching food. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Observed torn screen at end of truck at rear window.
35B-04-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed person preparing food without hair restraint. Employee corrected by retrieving a hat. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
47
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary on file is from Nov 14, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary?
Across the inspection record, “cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
How does Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary is inspected around three times per year on average.
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