New York City Cat Lovers Finally Get their Act Together and Launch a Cat Cafe Kickstarter

After that first tantalizing glimpse of what it could mean to have a Cat Café in New York City, cat-loving New Yorkers may finally get the permanent version they've been dreaming of. Erin McShan has stepped up to the plate, and launched an online fundraising campaign to open a cat cafe called Little Lions.

McShan describes her project as a "cat sanctuary and tea house." That means lots of toys for the cats and no noisy espresso machines that might give them a fright. She tells Gothamist: "There will be a coffee option but probably not a full barista menu....I want the space to be soothing and tranquil and loud coffee machines are probably not conducive to that vision." There may also be food, but that poses a few challenges with the Health Department. "Nothing will be made on site and would have to be cat-safe....The DOH is on board with my design," she explains.

McShan plans to work with Anjellicle Cats Rescue and the ACC to make this a happy space for the felines. The cats will have a cat-only area for when they need a break from humans, and all of them will be up for adoption.

McShan hasn't found a home for the café quiet yet, but she's looking into space downtown, mostly on the East Side and hoping to open next spring. First, though, she needs to meet her fundraising goal of $65,000.

Until then, let these snapshots from the Cat Café pop-up help you get this rainy day.

Grid View

• The coffee bar serves espresso drinks, drip coffee, and a small selection of pastries, and all of it's for free. The coffee comes from a "local vendor." Purina won't say who, but rumor has it that it's a popular Brooklyn roaster.
• The house special is the "cat'achino," featuring cat face latte art.
• The cats are all behind those glass doors. The cat room has to be separated from the coffee bar in order to keep the Health Department happy. But rest assured, food and drinks are still allowed in the cat lounge.
• Entering the cat lounge, customers are greeted by a wall of cats.
• The lounge area is filled with a few small tables and comfy furniture for people and cats alike.
• And there are lots of cats. 16 in total, all of which can be adopted through the North Shore Animal League. According to a representative for the shelter, all of the cats have been tested to ensure they're calm and people-friendly.
• There's a corner just for kids to hang out. Children under 16 aren't allowed to actually handle the cats, and will have to be accompanied by an adult.
• There are cats in every corner.