What's better than curling up with a nice hot drink and a cat purring on your lap? For people who don't have a feline of their own to snuggle with at home, cat cafes offer the perfect opportunity for feline friendship in a relaxing setting. This novel idea, which originated in Japan, has made its way stateside, offering cat companionship to those who can't keep cats in their homes or don't yet have a pet. Best of all, many of these innovative cafes serve as dual-purpose cat hangouts and adoption centers, allowing patrons to chill out with a cuddly kitty and even take one home to keep should they choose.
The following two cat cafes are prime examples of the concept in action in the U.S. If you live near any of these locations, pay a visit so you can meet some cats and contribute to the rescue missions these cafes support. You may even meet your next family member while you're at it! After the success of these cafes, new businesses operating under a similar model are opening up across the country, so stay on the lookout to see if a cat cafe is opening near you.
Purrington's Cat Lounge in Portland, Oregon
Like most cat cafes in the U.S.,
Purrington's Cat Lounge is required to keep the cats completely separate from the food prep and dining areas, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some snacks and hang out with the cats. You can even attend special events like Purr Yoga at Purrington's, which takes place in the cat lounge section of the building. The cafe serves small-plate snacks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and even "meowmosas" — mimosas for cat lovers, of course. Purringtons is partnered with Portland's Cat Adoption Team (CAT), which oversees the adoption program. All of the CAT alumni adopted out of Purrington's have been spayed or neutered, tested for FeLV and FIV, microchipped, and treated for parasites. In other words, every kitty at Purrington's is ready to go home with a welcoming new family.
Source: Sprudge.com
The Cat Cafe in San Diego, California
When you purchase a snack or pay a small admission fee at the
Cat Cafe, you receive admission to the cafe's "cat playpen," a fun and secure holding animals area where the resident cats hang out and play. Cat safety is paramount at this San Diego cafe, so staff does set some ground rules to make sure all the kitties are comfortable and happy while visitors are present. This has resulted in multiple years of smooth operations for the Cat Cafe, and its adoption program is booming. If you're looking to adopt a cat and want to be able to hang out with your new companion before bringing her home, the Cat Cafe is a great place to do it. You'll have time to consider your decision before returning to the cafe for its after-hours adoption process.
Source: thecatcafesd.com
