A 3 Mile Stroll With Window Cats? Champaign Just Tried Its First Cat Walk
A Champaign cat cafe drew dozens to a first-of-its-kind cat walk, with donations going to Central Illinois rescues.
A cat cafe in Champaign gave local cat lovers a new way to spend the weekend: walking through a neighborhood to spot cats from porches and windows. The free fundraiser marked the city’s first cat walk and sent donations to rescue groups in Central Illinois.
Over the weekend, The Scratching Post hosted what organizers described as the first cat walk ever held in Champaign. The free event brought dozens of people to a three mile route through a neighborhood known for its cats, where pet owners displayed their animals from windows or porches as the group passed by.
The event also expanded what the cat cafe has been doing in the community. The Scratching Post has been operating its cat cafe for a year, and the cat walk turned that cat centered focus into a public fundraiser. All donations from the walk were directed to Central Illinois cat rescues, including VALOR and CATsNAP.
For neighbors and cat fans, the draw was simple: spending time together around something they already enjoy. Champaign resident Chad Minick said community gatherings like this matter because they give people a chance to get together and do something they like, which in this case was being around cats.
The immediate change is that Champaign now has a cat walk of its own, and organizers indicated it may not be a one time idea. Because of the turnout, they said they are considering making the event annual. If that happens, local cat lovers, neighborhood residents and the rescue groups supported by the fundraiser could all see the walk return in future years.
