What happens when you mix adoptable cats, allowed to hang out in a relaxed, comfortable lounge-environment, and animal lovers who love to be with cats? Well, a couple of things happen: First of all, you end up with lots of content shelter kitties who are given a second chance at a new life. Secondly, you might get lots of these cats adopted out to loving homes. Everybody wins! This is what has been happening at the newly-opened Cattery Lounge & Snackery in San Marcos.
Things to Do
A Cat Cafe Has Opened in San Marcos and It’s the ‘Cat’s Pajamas’
By |
A Simple but Effective Concept
Photo: Facebook/Cattery Lounge & Snackery
Marketing Director, Kirsten Peek explains that the concept behind the cat cafe is simple but effective. Anyone who knows cats know that they do best being able to socialize on their own terms. When you visit a traditional animal shelter and see cats in cages, you’re not able to get an accurate read on a cat’s true personality. At the Cattery, cats are often found lounging on tables, on their custom-made cat trees or, most often, in the laps of visitors. The Cattery Lounge & Snackery just opened on August 5 and already they’ve had over 10 adoptions.
The cats who hang out at the Cattery come from a local shelter (PAWS in Hays County). All of the cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and fully vaccinated before they arrive at the Cattery. They’re chosen by the shelter staff based on their personalities. This “cat cafe” model offers a way to make adoptions more accessible while also offering a unique community space for socializing.
A Haven for College Students
Photo: Facebook/Cattery Lounge & Snackery
Located just blocks from Texas State University, The Cattery sees lots of dorm-dwelling students who are suffering from pet withdrawals. The Cattery offers the perfect spot for studying (with wifi and snacks) along with the anxiety-reducing option of petting a cat. They also have board games available so that visitors can move their “family game night” over to the Cattery. Offering pre-packaged snacks for the humans (and kitty treats for the residents,) the Cattery is set up for people who want to grab a chair, pet a cat, and unwind a little.
Decorated with art from local artists, the Cattery has a fresh, modern look and every step was taken to ensure that this space was as cat-friendly and human-friendly as possible. A special room is available for cats only that houses the litter boxes as well as a quiet space for cats who are feeling a bit over stimulated by the outpouring of cat-loving humans. There’s also a dedicated kitten area, where visitors can go visit with the tiniest of residents at the Cattery.
A New Model for Cat Adoptions
Photo: Facebook/Cattery Lounge & Snackery
The Cattery is hoping that this new model of cat adoptions will help to further reduce the euthanasia rate in Hays County, as well as to further the no-kill movement nationwide. The Cattery Lounge & Snackery is located on “the square” in downtown San Marcos and is open Wednesday through Sunday. All visitors (ages 6 years and up) are welcome. The Cattery is run entirely by volunteers and there is a $5 admission, (all proceeds go back to this organization) which buys you an hour of purrs and perhaps a diversion from your daily responsibilities. That’s $5 well-spent if you ask us. Go to their website here to learn more or follow them on Facebook.
