For all you animal lovers out there, we have found your puuurrrrrfect new hangout. Part neighborhood café, part cozy cat haven, Cat Town Café opened this past October in downtown Oakland as a place for locals to sip fresh coffee, nibble on sweet treats and most importantly, spend time with beautiful, cuddly cats, all of whom are available for adoption.
The Backstory
“Cat crazy” business partners Ann Dunn and Adam Myatt opened Cat Town Café with one goal in mind, to find fur-ever homes for cats that are normally overlooked by local animal rescue organizations. Through a partnership with Oakland Animal Services, the dedicated volunteers of Cat Town have pulled nearly 70 cats since October, nearly all of whom have been adopted through visits to the Café. There’s no pressure during your visit, though. Most of the visitors coming through the Café’s doors are there to grab a quick bite and spend time with some adorable cats who are soaking up the attention.
Kiddie Nibble
At Cat Town Café, the cats are arguably the main attraction. In one room, you’ll find the café, which is minimal but has enough options to keep tiny tummies satisfied. There’s a selection of locally-sourced bagels, muffins, scones and cookies, as well as pour-over coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The tables are sparse, as most visitors spend their time munching on treats while gazing at the cats through the large windows facing the adjoining “Cat Zone.”
Know Before You Go
Cat Town loves their young visitors, and even boasts a kid-friendly table in the Cat Zone as a tiny refuge. But they also pride themselves on being a calm sanctuary for the cats, so adult supervision is required. The Café is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Cat Zone is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You’re welcome to visit the café anytime, but visits to the cat zone are booked on an hourly basis and your best bet is to make a reservation online ahead of time. A $10 donation guarantees your space online, or you can try walking-in for free, but you might end up spending a good chunk of your afternoon waiting for admission. Unless your child is strapped to your chest or in a stroller, plan on reserving a spot for them as well. The Cat Zone is open and airy and with 14 people max, even the youngest cat-lovers are accounted for to make sure that both the cats, and their visitors, feel right at home.
Cat Town Café
2869 Broadway (Entrance is on 29th Street)
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 891-1100
Online: cattowncafe.com
Would your child think Cat Town Café is the cat’s meow?!?
—Morgan Brasfield
All images courtesy of Morgan Brasfield
