Sana Hamelin contacted me on behalf of her partners in the Denver Cat Company, a cat cafe which is poised to open in the Mile High City. Sana was a corporate attorney who gave it all up for cats; here she is with one of her business partners, Keven Murphy (the other partner is Stella Min.) These people are serious about moggies:
The Cat cafe has received the go-ahead from the authorities, and is supposed to open in the fall. It will be the first cat cafe in the US (Oakland has one in the works, but it will probably open later if it opens at all)—indeed, there is no other cat cafe in North America. That’s just wrong! Japan has them, Europe has them, but not our continent?
The Denver Cat Company has an impressive website with an updated blog, an FAQ, a “Why fund us?” page and a mission statement, so go look at it. Everything seems to have been planned to the smallest detail. All they need is support.
I wrote Sana about where they would get the cats, and she answered:
We plan on getting our cats from Dumb Friends League and any other shelter that cannot sustain a no-kill model, so as to save them from being euthanized. There will be about a dozen cats at the cafe at any given time (with some available for adoption). One of our newest team members is passionate about special needs cats and we are trying to figure out if we could build our adoption model specifically with a focus on disabled cats.
They need $50,000 to open, and so far have only $150. I know we have some readers in the Denver area, so if you want to help, throw in a few bucks (you can donate as little as $5, and for that you get a pass). They’re going to open regardless of how much they raise, and they’ll charge only $5 per hour with the kitties. Plus you can adopt some of the cats!
It’s a worthy cause: you get the company of cats with your coffee, the cats get fusses, and some of them get adopted. How can you lose? You can donate here (I’ve done so, and there are rewards for donating; be sure not to put spaces in your credit card number), and vote for the cafe here at the bottom of the page (I don’t know what that accomplishes, but they need only 42 more votes to get to 420 and surely you guys can do that!). I mean, if the potato salad guy can get 60 grand for nothing, doesn’t this deserve at least that much?
This is Sana’s dream, and you can help it come true by helping open North America’s first cat cafe. I’ll add one more thing: if you donate $175, and become a “mega-sponsor”, I’ll send you an autographed copy of WEIT (with a thank you drawing of a cat) on top of the regular rewards for that level of donation:
The mega-sponsor reward package* + four additional 1-hour passes guaranteeing two reservations within the first six weeks after the Grand Opening (80 available).
~All mega-sponsor reward packages include (1) two Pre-Opening exclusive passes; (2) access to the entire family of cats, including kittens, for up to three hours; (3) free refreshments; and (4) your choice of a merch item*
Just send me a screenshot of the receipt.
Well, I’ve said my piece except for this: I know two Colorado cats (Firpo and Butter), and I’m sure they’d support this endeavor.
Off topic: but wonderful photo of you on page 21 of this month’s Scientific American!
Is that the FFRF ad? I knew it was coming out, but they never tell me anything. If so, I have a copy and will post it.
Yes. It is a good photo.
My deepest thanks, Prof. Coyne. Thanks to all the readers here as well! I am very, very grateful for all the support.
And to clarify the “420 votes” thing – since we have legal weed here, I figured it would be fun to get 420 yes votes to the cafe. For obvious reasons, that number resonates with Denver folk!
As someone who enjoys the green and the cats I wish you guys all the best.
Good luck with the kitties and customers! 🙂
Will the cats have ‘nip, then?
I chipped in a few pennies, but I’m diagonally opposite from Four Corners from you. Next time I’m in Denver I’ll be sure to stop in, but there’s no point in making the cats wait for company until then, so please do find somebody deserving to use my allotment in my place.
Cheers,
b&
It took a little looking to figure out exactly what a cat cafe is. Great idea! Several people get their “cat therapy” at our house!
From wiki:
“Scientists at the University of California, Davis hypothesised that a cat’s purr can be used as a healing mechanism to offset long periods of rest and sleep that would otherwise contribute to a loss of bone density. The vibrations and contractions of a purr work during both inhalation and exhalation show a consistent pattern and frequency around 25 Hz; these frequencies have been shown to improve bone density and promote healing in animal models and humans.”
I wonder if it works?
I think petting a cat works like alcohol: It just relaxes you! Seems that way to me anyhow. 🙂
Petting a cat is a great way to fall asleep. Sadly the cat doesn’t always work the same schedule as me. 🙂
There is a great (free) website to listen to a cat purr. I listen to it while I”m reading. 🙂 Link: http://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/catPurrNoiseGenerator.php
Thanks, that might come in handy. I wonder if it can trigger some asmr.
Worth a try. 🙂
Are you going to try purring??
I’ve tried and can’t. Also tried making tiger noises at my cat, but it doesn’t care.
Luckily it purrs a lot so I don’t have to go missing.
It’s a lovely idea, and clearly so well enjoyed by patrons wherever they exist.
Congratulations to the Denver Cat Company! But why so pessimistic about Oakland’s Cat Town Cat Cafe, Jerry? I’m not involved, but from all I’ve read, they’re ready to open in a couple of months: significant money is raised, space is leased, construction is underway (http://www.cattowncafe.com/).