Purrculator Café, a coffee spot with a cause, is celebrating a heartwarming milestone. In less than a year, 50 rescued cats have found homes through the space.
The unique café which houses the Cat Lounge, an enclosed, interactive area where guests can sip their coffee, relax, and spend time with rescued cats, is a joint venture between Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) and the Glasshouse Nursery.
Spencer Robbins, General Operations Manager of the Glasshouse Nursery, said the idea started with a simple conversation.
"Myriam from Pet and Wildlife Rescue approached us at the Glasshouse Nursery to explore the possibility of showcasing a few shelter cats in a temporary enclosure," Robbins shared. "The concept sparked our interest, and after some thought, we decided to take it a step further by offering a dedicated space within the nursery."
Robbins added that being able to directly interact with the animals makes a significant difference when it comes to the adoption of rescued animals.
"It can be emotionally overwhelming to see so many animals waiting for homes," he said of the shelter environment. "The Cat Lounge offers an entirely different experience - a calm, pressure-free environment where visitors can simply relax and connect with the cats. In this peaceful setting, people often find themselves forming genuine bonds and falling in love with the cat that truly speaks to them."
PAWR's Executive Director Myriam Armstrong agrees that the Cat Lounge isn't only a great environment for visitors, it's a good for the cats themselves.
"Not only does it provide a stimulating and enriching environment for shelter cats - offering a welcome alternative to life in a kennel - but it also serves as a haven for those felines who are often overlooked. Many of the cats selected for the Lounge are older, shy, or a bit grumpy - cats who need extra time and exposure to connect with potential adopters," Armstrong explained. "It also gives us the opportunity to better assess cats who may struggle in a kennel environment but truly thrive when provided with more enrichment."
She added that housing the animals at the café, frees up valuable space within the shelter.
To spend time with the Cat Lounge cats, a small donation is required. Those funds go towards the veterinary care of all of the animals that pass through PAWR. According to the Glasshouse Nursery, the Cat Lounge has helped fund the spaying and neutering of 165 rescued cats.
Armstrong explained that adopting a cat through the café is easy.
"Potential adopters can call, email, or stop by the shelter - just two minutes down the road from the Glasshouse," she said. "There, they can complete the adoption paperwork and head back to pick up their new furry friend."