If you’re looking for a fun and different way to spend an hour, I highly recommend the Purr Cup Cafe just south of downtown Raleigh. On a very rainy day, we piled the kids into the car for a 10 am reservation in their cat lounge. It was the first reservation of the morning and the delightful owners, Sarah and Arthur, hinted that it was a time that the cats tend to be at their most playful. The kitties did not disappoint and the kids didn’t want to leave when their hour was up. 

About the Purr Cup Cafe

First, a little about the cafe. Purr Cup Cafe has partnered with the wonderful rescue organization Safe Haven for Cats. This is a no-kill shelter located in North Ralegh. We actually adopted two kittens from them in July and I can’t speak highly enough about the work they do matching rescues with their perfect forever homes. The Cafe works with Safe Haven to bring cats with the personalities best suited to a wide variety of people and to temporarily live together in their beautifully outfitted cat lounge. There are places for the cats to hide, rest, observe from above, or play down below as they so wish. We met 4 wonderfully sweet cats (Beatrice, Ellsworth, Regina, and Tilly) that were all beyond patient and sweet with our crowd (4 kids ranging in age from 2-8 and 4 adults). They also offered books and coloring for the kids. Beatrice even hopped on the table to rest by my daughter as she colored a picture of a cat mermaid. 

About the Menu

Sarah and Arthur spent three years creating this cafe to help cats, and to find a way where they could continue to take care of the animals without bringing more and more home - they already have 4! That being said, they care deeply about all animals and have created a completely vegan menu to enjoy while you spend time in the cat lounge (or the lovely outdoor patio when weather permits). There is currently no indoor seating for Covid-19 precautions. The kids loved their kid hot chocolates with almond milk (with whipped cream AND chocolate syrup!) and the adults enjoyed tea and coffee. There were also a number of delicious-looking pre-packaged snacks that took all my will-power to not dive into.

If You’re Looking to Adopt

Of course, the goal of this cafe is to help cats find their forever homes. In fact, they have already helped 9 cats and families find each other in just one month! I think this is an amazing opportunity to see how your kids will behave with cats and alternatively, how the cats interact with your kids in a natural, comfortable, and fun environment. If you decide that there is a particular feline friend that is perfect for you, you can fill out an application online directly with Safe Haven for Cats. There are pamphlets with a QR code to direct you to the online application. Safe Haven is very thorough in its screening process to ensure cats go to a safe and loving home. Usually, within 24 hours, the rescue will reach out to you to schedule a follow-up. Just make sure to include in the notes section that you were at the Purr Cup Cafe and the name of the kitty you’re interested in. At the moment, the process does include a trip to Safe Haven for the screening and adoption paperwork but you will take your new friend home from the cafe. They are hoping to streamline this process in the future. Currently, they only work by appointment, again, for Covid-19 precautions. We may or may not have filled out an application on the spot to add to our family. 

Covid-19 Precautions

• Masks are required anytime you are inside the building
• The cat lounge is only being booked for private groups and is thoroughly sanitized with animal-friendly products in-between visits (including an air filter that is always running). 
• No indoor seating but a lovely back patio and soon a front porch as well
• Online ordering is encouraged

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Make a reservation. You won’t be allowed in the cat lounge without one. Sarah and Arthur are incredibly responsive via email if you have any questions in advance of your visit. 
• Bring an extra adult to take a kid out if behavior becomes problematic for the kitties.
• As of our visit, the front porch was in the middle of being rebuilt but there is an additional back entrance and they are most definitely open for business. We were greeted with a very necessary umbrella bucket, and a bottle of sanitizer.  
• Plan on making a donation to the cat lounge to help support their mission and take care of the kitties. Recommended is 10$ per cat lounge visitor.

So swing by the cafe (210 Prospect Ave) for a delicious cup of coffee or snack, or make a reservation to spend some time with these lovable kitties. I can’t agree more with the mission of this wonderful cafe, and it was an amazing opportunity for my cat-loving kiddos to spend time with some incredibly sweet felines. Whether you adopt or not, every visit supports their rescue efforts and makes a difference!