A unique animal adoption space in Fort Myers is asking the community to help several cats find permanent homes in the coming weeks.

At Cattyshack Cafe, a cat café that partners with local rescues, some of the cats currently living in the lounge may soon need to relocate. The café’s partnership with The Animal Refuge Center (ARC) is coming to an end, and ARC has informed the café that any cats still living there will return to the shelter if they are not adopted by April 4.

Because of that timeline, the café is focusing its efforts on helping as many of the cats as possible find families before that date.

A Partnership Built Around Adoption

When Cattyshack Cafe opened in 2020, its goal was to create another pathway for cats to meet potential adopters outside of the traditional shelter environment.

Over the past year, the café partnered with ARC to house adoptable cats inside its lounge. During that time, guests visiting the café were able to spend time with the cats in a relaxed setting while enjoying drinks and food.

According to the café, cats in the lounge interact with as many as 15 guests per hour, with staff present throughout the day to supervise and care for them. The environment allows cats to receive regular social interaction while also giving potential adopters the opportunity to get to know their personalities.

Under the partnership, adoption fees collected for cats adopted through the café were returned to ARC, along with additional donation amounts.

ARC has since informed Cattyshack Cafe that the partnership will conclude and that the cats currently residing there will return to the shelter if they are not adopted by the April 4 deadline.

In response, the café asked whether the cats already living there could remain in the lounge to continue meeting adopters and offered to assume financial responsibility for their care and adoption process. That request was declined, meaning the cats will return to ARC unless they find homes before the deadline.

Both organizations continue their work supporting animal rescue efforts in Southwest Florida.

Meet the Cats Still Looking for Homes

Several cats currently living at Cattyshack Cafe are still waiting to meet their future families.

Among them is Clover, a two-year-old cat who has been living in the lounge and interacting with visitors daily.

Other cats currently at the café include Marcus, Ghoul, and several others who have spent time adjusting to the social environment of the cat lounge.

Staff say many of these cats have grown more confident during their time there, interacting with guests and becoming comfortable in the café setting – which is why it is so hard to return them to the shelter and create another transition for them.

To help encourage adoptions, Cattyshack Cafe is currently crediting reservation fees toward adoption costs for visitors who meet and decide to adopt one of the cats.

Click here to meet all of the cats currently up for adoption! 

 

What Is Cattyshack Cafe?

Cattyshack Cafe is one of the most unique cafés in Fort Myers, combining a traditional coffee shop with a cat lounge where adoptable cats roam freely.

The café and lounge are separated by a wall of windows and operate on independent air systems, allowing guests to enjoy the café even if they have allergies. Visitors can order from a full espresso bar along with pastries, sandwiches, beer, and wine.

Guests who reserve time in the cat lounge spend 50-minute sessions interacting with the cats, helping socialize them, and increasing their chances of being adopted.

The concept is designed to give cats an environment that feels more like a living room than a shelter kennel, allowing people to see their personalities in a relaxed setting.

A Track Record of Successful Adoptions

Cat cafés have become increasingly popular across the country as an alternative way to help animals find homes.

According to Cattyshack Cafe, the concept has been effective locally as well. The café reports that more than 2,500 cats have been adopted through its program, helping connect animals with families throughout Southwest Florida.

How the Community Can Help

With the April 4 deadline approaching, the café’s immediate focus is simple: finding homes for the cats currently living there.

Community members who are considering adopting a cat are encouraged to visit the café, spend time with the animals, and see if one might be the right fit for their home.

For those unable to adopt, there are other ways you can help! Simply sharing information about the cats with friends or family who may be interested in adopting could help them find permanent homes before the transition occurs. For those who are able, Cattyshack is also seeking donations to help navigate their next steps and fulfill their wishlist items. 

For the cats currently living at the café, the hope is that the coming weeks will lead to the best possible outcome – finding the families they’ve been waiting for.

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