Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe
On May 22nd, the Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe officially opened. Whether you’re looking to adopt or hang out with some cool cats, it’s a great place to relax and make a new furry friend!
Located at 1750 S. Rainbow Blvd. Suite #4, the Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe features some of the rescue’s many adoptable cats roaming around in the open area. Open from 12 to 7 PM, the entry fee for a one-hour visit only costs a $15 donation per person and includes complimentary snacks and beverages.
The $15 is deducted from the adoption fee for those who end up adopting. Entrance and adoption fees help cover the costs of caring for the other cats staying with Hearts Alive Village.
Brittany Rutledge, Feline Program Coordinator and Cat Cafe Manager, shared more about the cat cafe.
“Every cat has their own story, and we want to promote that without keeping them in kennels,” she said. “Especially the long-term cats in our care.”
How the Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe Came to Be
The location of the cat cafe is where Hearts Alive Village’s pet supply store formerly resided since 2014. However, the pandemic disrupted its operations, forcing the rescue to make some changes.
“Our suppliers couldn’t keep up with demand, and we couldn’t get the food or supplies we needed for the store,” Rutledge said. This supply issue also included the food the rescue needed for its own animals. Thankfully, the community showed up multiple times to help bring food and other supplies to HAV throughout the ongoing pandemic.
“It got ridiculous, so we tried something new,” she said. “We moved the dogs to a different location and brought all the cats to this location.”
While only some of the cats roam the cafe, Hearts Alive Village houses their 40+ adoptable cats not currently in foster homes at the cat cafe. In addition, people looking to adopt can visit the other adoptable cats in the rooms next to the cafe lounge.
How the Cat Cafe Works
Those wanting to visit the cafe can book an appointment through the Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe website. While all the roaming cats are friendly, Rutledge said they can be handsy, so visitors must sign a waiver to visit the cafe.
Because the cats in the cafe have varying levels of interaction preferences with people, the rescue uses a color-coded collar system to let people know more about the temperament of the cats at a glance.
Green collars mean the cats are friendly and like people to pet them. White means they’re newer and are still adjusting to the environment. Orange means to be cautious and use judgment when approaching and interacting. And pink means “paws off.”
Outside food and drinks are allowed in the cafe, and people are openly encouraged to stop by for their lunch or coffee break to spend time with the cats while they relax or work. The entrance fee includes self-serve coffee, beverages, and snacks.
“We don’t serve alcohol, but we allow people to bring their own,” Rutledge added. Please inform the person checking you in that you’re bringing in alcohol.
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Adopting Cats from the Cafe
All the cats at the cat cafe location are available for adoption. Those looking to adopt can check out the adoptable cats on the HAV website and schedule an appointment to visit them or do a walk-in during visiting hours. All the roaming cats in the cafe are vaccinated, microchipped, fixed, and ready to go home with their fur-ever family.
“People can look for a particular kitty or come visit and see who they connect with,” Rutledge said. “We have people who adopt same-day, and others who return to adopt a cat they liked.”
Adopting cats from the cat cafe saves more than just the life of the cat you bring home; it helps save the lives of countless others in the community. HAV currently cares for and supports over 330 cats, from those found at the cafe to those in foster homes.
The cats in HAV’s care come from a variety of situations, like from the Animal Foundation during times of high capacity. Other cats came in from people who’d found strays and kittens and people who otherwise wanted to surrender cats to the rescue.
With kitten season in full swing, the highest number of cats enter shelters and rescues this time of year. Because of the high number of daily requests, HAV temporarily implemented an intake freeze. They are now intaking again but on a limited basis.
Hearts Alive Village in the Community
In addition to caring for animals waiting for their fur-ever homes, Hearts Alive Village helps the community in many other ways.
The organization conducts frequent pop-up wellness events where they provide spay and neuter services, microchipping, vaccinations, and other wellness services to low-income communities. For example, hearts Alive Village provided care to more than 50 animals at one of their recent events!
Hearts Alive Village also accepts vouchers from the Animal Foundation for recently adopted animals to receive a spay or neuter at the HAV clinic.
The organization also runs the region’s emergency pet food bank and provides needed supplies to the people fostering animals for them, including food, medications, and medical care.
#GetinMotion With The Hearts Alive Village Cat Cafe
In addition to visiting the cats at the cafe or adopting a cat from them, there are several ways to help support the cat cafe and Heats Alive Village in general.
Monetary donations are greatly appreciated and help cover the cost of medical services and food for the animals at the rescue. Food donations are especially helpful and can be dropped off at the cage during business hours.
“Cat and kitten food is always needed,” Rutledge said. “Purina Pro Plan kitten food is especially needed in large quantities because of all the kittens we care for. So we go through a high amount of food.”
Check out the Hearts Alive Village Amazon wishlist to donate specific items to the rescue.
Volunteers and fosters are also always needed by the rescue and can help in various ways. Learn more at their volunteer and foster pages, respectively.
For all other information, visit the Hearts Alive Village website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon.
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