For most, back to school implies back to worrying like no other. There are numerous tension reducers, and animals have actually shown to be among the effective techniques. At El Jefe Cat Lounge on 3025 N. Campbell Ave., trainees can study with a cat by their side and even go on their off day to family pet some felines and unwind.
The owner of El Jefe Cat Lounge, Tiffany Lee, opened her business in October 2019. She was influenced by a cat coffee shop in Phoenix, her child relocating to Tucson and taking their cat with her. She was missing her cat, so she went to a Phoenix area called La Gattara Cat Cafe a couple of times. She figured something comparable in Tucson would benefit the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, it has actually been an uphill struggle given that opening the cat lounge. Lee said, “It’s been a lot of work, and we barely survived through the pandemic, but Tucson has been very supportive.”
Despite her 60-70 hour work weeks, it is rewarding for her to see individuals enjoying and some cats discovering their permanently houses.
“The main reason I opened [El Jefe Cat Lounge] is because it helps with stress. Just petting or cuddling a cat can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure,” Lee said. She likewise pointed out that visitors can “make new cat friends if you’re having a hard time making friends on campus.”
Customer Claire Alexander said, “It’s a really quiet place that you can get a lot of school work done at. It’s definitely more peaceful than an average coffee shop.”
“The cats are very nice, and their presence is just better when doing school work,” consumer Katie Cao said.
For trainees that live beyond dormitories, adoption is likewise an alternative. Being able to connect with the cats in a semi-home environment is helpful to seeing more of their real characters. All cats are negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency infection, along with spayed or neutered,” Lee said. “You get their full personalities here for a better match.”
If embracing isn’t possible today, the cat lounge can help treat homesickness too. After leaving a furry friend at home, cuddling with these cats will surely help.
First-time customer Gary Talarchek used to own cats, but they have passed away. “I came here out of curiosity and to spend some time with cats,” Talarchek said.
When he used to be a teacher, they would hold petting zoos for students during finals week to relieve stress.
“This is kind of similar to that,” Talarchek said.
El Jefe Cat Lounge is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information about embracing or the cat lounge can be discovered on the El Jefe Cat Lounge website.
Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter (X)
