As a cat lover, one of my favorite things about traveling is meeting cats from different places. Like, I will truly never forget a beautiful kitten I met at a head shop in Portland, Oregon (officially commemorated on my Instagram). And Sunday, the famous and beloved cat who lives at Sunday's Best Vintage in Los Angeles, California (I visit her every time I'm in town). And of course, there was this huge gray tabby cat up for adoption in New York that scratched me so bad because I lost all self-control in his presence and couldn't stop petting him. Yes, I have a thing with cats, y’all. If you're keeping an eye on felines, you might want to find out which cat cafes to visit in the U.S. next year so you can sort out your dream 2019 travel itinerary in the most cat-obsessed places possible. Let's grab a drink, hang out with the cats, jump from one cat cafe to another in the new year and live life to the fullest.
Cat cafes are popular in Japan, but in recent years they've also made their way to the United States, much to the delight of cat-obsessed Americans like me. What’s great is that most of these cafes are very concerned about the well-being of the cats on their premises (as they should be!) and serve as alternative models for rescued cat adoption. Many cat cafes work with shelters and rescue organizations to help the cats in their care find happy forever homes, rather than forcing them to live in a cafe their entire lives, which is obviously not ideal.
Kitten care and safety should always take precedence over the customer experience at any cat cafe, so avoid any cafes that seem to have issues with the care department. Entrances and exits that are not properly secured, a café cat that is not supervised by staff, or appears to be fearful or uncomfortable should be considered red flags.
That being said, there are plenty of dream-worthy cat cafes popping up across the United States right now, so you can easily include one in your 2019 travels. Or, you know, you could plan your entire vacation around visiting the aforementioned cat cafes, which would be a wiser choice for any true cat lover. I certainly won't judge you for it.
Here are some of the perfect cat cafes in the United States in 2019 to make your feline vacation dreams come true.
CatCafe Lounge—Los Angeles, California
CatCafe Lounge is proud to be the only non-profit cat cafe in Los Angeles with a mission to reduce euthanasia for shelter cats by helping them find their forever homes. Head to the café for a drink or a bite to eat, then hang out with over 30 adopted kittens who are looking for love and affection. They also offer party packages so you can book the place with friends and leave the gurgling babies to yourself.
Cat Town – Oakland, California
At Cat Town, the care for cats is impeccable and every cat is available for adoption. Enjoy a meal and coffee from the RAWR Café Bar, then head to the Cat Zone to meet the felines. While the Cat Zone strongly encourages reservations, they do take walk-ins when space becomes available, so don't hesitate to stop in, even at the last minute.
Denver Cat Company—Denver, Colorado
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The Denver Cat Company, one of the first cat cafes in the United States, partners with several local rescues and hosts approximately 15 fully adoptable cats in its facility at any one time, and while you sip your coffee or tea, All these cats are ready to play and snuggle. The place also has WiFi, so you can bring your laptop and get work done while playing with a dozen cats. Talk about ideal working conditions.
Java Cats Cafe – Atlanta, GA
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Java Cats Cafe is a cat cafe with an admirable mission: “To bring life to the citizens of Atlanta through a love of adoptable cats, coffee, and food as homeless locals get back on their feet. Come and be happy." So by visiting, you'll not only get the cat care you've been craving, but you'll also support the local community and organizations that help cats get adopted. It's a win-win.
Wind Kitty – Chicago, IL
Windy Kitty (based, of course, in the Windy City) claims to be "the happiest place in Chicago"—and honestly, considering cats and coffee are involved, I totally believe them. In addition to a cafe full of adoptable rescue kittens, they also host fun events in the cafe like yoga and painting nights. Because everything is better with cats, and they obviously know it.
Brooklyn Cat Cafe – New York City, NY
Known as the only non-profit cat cafe in New York City, Brooklyn Cat Cafe offers patrons a dreamy experience of playing and bonding with adorable, lovable kittens (all kittens are available for adoption!). They don't prepare fresh coffee, but they do sell packaged drinks, treats, and snacks so you can still feed your cat and enjoy a drink or food.
affoGATO Cat Cafe – Cleveland, Ohio
affoGATO Cat Cafe is brand new – in fact, it’s having its grand opening on January 2, 2019, so add it to your list soon. This cat paradise partners with local animal rescue groups to house adoptable kittens, and they encourage patrons to come in to learn, get work done, meet friends, or just spend some alone time with the cats in the cafe.
Treetops Kitty Cafe — Kennett Square, PA
Treetops Kitty Cafe is a non-profit organization that has helped find homes for over 2,000 animals since its opening, so it's definitely worth your time. For a small fee, you can socialize with your adopted kitten and purchase a drink or treat. Additionally, their store offers a variety of fun cat-themed merchandise, and you can even buy pet food here.
Le Cat Cafe – Philadelphia, PA
Le Cat Cafe (definitely Purrrrisian ) is a partner with a local cat rescue group - and their adoption rates have reportedly skyrocketed since the cafe opened. This cafe is run entirely by volunteers and donations and is by reservation only, so reserve your seat! You can simply relax with a cup of coffee or join one of their special events like cat yoga.
Pounce Cat Cafe + Bar — Charleston, SC
Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar offers just about everything I could want on vacation: cats, wine, and coffee. Wow. They partner with local shelters so all of their cats are available for adoption. If you book yourself a time slot, you can hang out with the kittens while sipping on a caffeinated or alcoholic beverage of your choice, all without any obligation.
Emerald Kitty Cafe – Seattle, WA
Emerald Kitty Cafe is a completely cat-themed cafe located next to the Emerald Kitty Pet Rescue, so you can grab a cute kitten-themed coffee drink or delicious snack before meeting the adopted cats. Plus, all proceeds from the cafe go directly to helping animals in need of adoption, so you can get your caffeine fix while helping the kittens.
