A cat cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, is doing more than slinging coffee and offering feline cuddles. Coffee and Purrs has only been open since January, but it’s already helped 50 cats get adopted and find forever homes.
Sioux City welcomes 1st cat cafe
Coffee and Purrs faced an uphill battle before it was able to open its one-of-a-kind experience to the public. According to Siouxland Proud, owner Megan Thompson had to petition for a change in city ordinance in order to welcome cats into the venue.
The city approved Thompson’s request. It took a full year, but Coffee and Purrs eventually became the first cat café in the area.
“I just want it to become a really nice spot for people here in Siouxland to come hang out, work if they want to on their computer,” Thompson told the news outlet around the time of the café’s opening. “We do have Wi-Fi, and have great coffee. We’re serving Stone Bru coffee.”
Café does more than serve coffee
Thompson joined forces with the Siouxland Humane Society. Her goal was to allow patrons of the cafe to adopt the cats they met there.
Since opening, it has assisted 50 cats in finding forever homes.
Ann Broderson of the Siouxland Humane Society couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the collaboration.
“It’s beneficial for the community, and for us, and for the owner of the cat cafe all around,” Broderson said. “I think it’s been a great idea so far and everything has worked out super well.”
The cat cafe’s setup means that customers can get to know the cats before they commit to rescuing and taking them home.
“Those come to adopt a cat which is always nice as well,” Thompson said. “They can see how comfortable the cats are over there, just walking around, they’re walking around 24/7 so people can see how comfortable and how nice they react with toys, other cats, and other humans.”
