Bring Socks, Not a Carrier: What to Know About Cat Haven's First Baton Rouge Cat Cafe
Cat Haven will open Baton Rouge's first cat cafe in November, with adoptable cats, coffee, tea, house rules and on-site adoptions.
A coffee stop in Baton Rouge is about to come with cat company. Cat Haven says its new cafe, described as the first of its kind in the Baton Rouge capital region, will open in November inside the rescue's expanded adoption facility at 530 Shadows Ln.
A bigger shelter, and a new way to meet cats
The cafe is part of Cat Haven's new building, a space of about 7,200 square feet that can house up to 125 cats and kittens at a time. That is 50 more than the rescue's old facility, and executive director Holly Carey said the extra capacity should help the group save more cats.
The new site was designed by WHLC Architecture and includes more than 23 individual living spaces, larger glass enclosures, a dedicated surgery and recovery area, separate intake and medical evaluation rooms, two non-circulated rooms for quarantined pets and an outdoor catio play area. The design also adds some cat-themed details, including cat-shaped pet doors and a custom cat-tile backsplash.
Carey said the organization had been waiting for this move and was inspired by the growing cat cafe model around the country. The setup also addresses a shelter need. She said cats require at least 20 minutes of socialization each day, and the previous space left Cat Haven relying heavily on volunteers to provide that interaction.
What visitors can expect when it opens in November
The cafe will serve coffee and tea, along with pastries, light snacks and other pre-packaged food. Visitors will find seating and outlets for charging devices, with the space intended for studying, hanging out and spending time with the cats.
Cat Haven says it plans to limit how many people and cats share the room at once so the animals are not overwhelmed. The rules are designed to let the cats set the terms of the interaction. Guests will need to take off their shoes at the door, and socks will be available for purchase for anyone who forgets to bring a pair. Picking up the cats will not be allowed. Carey said the goal is for the cats to come to visitors rather than be handled in ways that could stress them.
The arrangement is also aimed at people who want time with cats but cannot keep one at home, including students in dorms or renters in buildings that do not allow pets, as well as people with a family member who is allergic to cats. Every cat in the cafe will be available for adoption, and so will the cats in the rest of the shelter. Visitors who connect with a resident can begin the adoption process during their visit.
The adoption facility's regular hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The cafe is set to operate Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are suggested because space is limited, though walk-ins will also be welcome.
