The Casual Cat Cafe has helped find homes for 900 kitties. Now it may close
After nine years and nearly 900 cats adopted, The Casual Cat Cafe is asking for help to stay open.
The cafe in North Richland Hills operates primarily as a cat rescue. All cats are up for adoption and come from local shelters. However, visitors can also just come and spend time with the animals without taking any home. A separate section operates as a small cafe and shop with cat-themed merchandise.
Owner Cindy Pennington turned to the community for help when she saw the landlord listed the building for sale in April. The landlord has since taken the listing down and agreed to not list the property again until the lease is up in July. But after July 1, the future is uncertain.
A GoFundMe has raised almost $16,000, which could help Pennington move to a new location or buy the current space.
Wherever the cafe moves, it will most likely need a heavy build out. To operate a business like this, the building would need space to board the cats, laundry units, sinks, air conditioning and parking accommodations.
If they stay in their current space, the donation money would help with purchasing the property and much-needed updates.
How to help the Casual Cat Cafe
Pennington organized a GoFundMe with a goal of $20,000. Anyone who donates $200 or more will receive a one-year lounge entry pass.
Locals can find the Casual Cat Cafe at 7264 Glenview Drive in North Richland Hills.
It costs $15 for one hour of cat snuggles. While walk-ins are welcome, pre-booking online is recommended. Children 1 year old or younger are free. Teens 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Monthly membership passes can also be purchased for unlimited one-hour-per-day cat visits.
- Munchkin Cat: $25, cat lounge entry for one.
- Domestic Short Hair: $40, cat lounge entry for a pass holder and guest.
- Maine Coon: $70, cat lounge entry for family with two named pass holders and two to three guests, up to four guests total per visit.
One-hundred percent of cat adoption proceeds go to the sponsoring rescue or shelter, which is why all cats are priced differently.