A tiny Siamese kitten face pops up from the window down the corridor of businesses on Main Street in Independence. Staring curiously at you, the kitten cocks its head earlier than turning round scurrying right into a cat tree. On the brown sofa on the again wall is a brown and black cat, stretched out and batting a small toy beside it.
These cuties aren’t only for admiring; they’re additionally up for adoption. You can discover them and others at The Little Pumpkin Cat Cafe, the place moreover having the ability to undertake cats, you possibly can pay to spend time with them of their area.
Owner Emily Samuelian stated she did not initially got down to open the cat “cafe” and help foster cat adoption.
The Little Pumpkin Cat Cafe is the primary of its type in Independence. It affords a place for stray cats and kittens to get help within the type of shelter, meals, medical care and a place for people to undertake. The area is small, with only a few cats.
“My objective is to ultimately be like NEKO Cat Cafe Seattle,” Samuelian stated. “They have round 20 cats, however that is my objective, to be greater.”
From crafts to cat rescue
Samuelian initially was on the lookout for a retail area to promote her handcrafted items, somewhat than be a cat rescue. She was promoting jelly on the Monmouth Farmers Market, step by step including numerous handmade items she discovered to make by way of the season.
But with the farmers market season ending, she did not know the place she would promote subsequent. She checked out numerous retail areas, however she did not have sufficient objects to refill a store on her personal. Instead of simply promoting on-line or giving up, she started entertaining the thought of getting her personal retail area to arrange store. And by way of her seek for retail area, it occurred to her: I like cats, what’s stopping me from operating a cat cafe?
Samuelian stated she had seen numerous cat cafes portrayed in movies from Japan and the well-known location in Seattle, however she had by no means gone to 1. Her operation wouldn’t comply with a conventional cat cafe with the “cafe” side. Per meals dealing with pointers, it might have to be in a separate area from the cats. Instead, alongside the cats, she would have her and different crafters’ handmade items on the market.
The identify “little pumpkin” is impressed by Samuelian’s “lifelong obsession” with pumpkins.
The first area The Little Pumpkin settled into was in suite G, simply throughout from the place she is now. She solely stayed a month, however it was a crash course in determining her operation. Cats and kittens, boys Thackery and Oreo and ladies Sassy and Fern, had been all discovered and introduced in to be adopted. Both pairs are bonded and should be adopted as pairs.
Now, the suitable facet of the store is the place Samuelian has her and different distributors’ handmade items out for buy. Items embrace earrings, stickers, ceramics, equipment, crops with containers and extra. As you walk round, you would possibly spot a grey cat padding round exterior the fenced cat space. Meet Saturn, an old, blind cat that has affectionately develop into the store pet of The Little Pumpkin.
Caring for cats to be adopted
Because of us are adopting immediately from Samuelian, she stated she will ensure the houses they’ll are a proper match. The situation with adoptions is typically homeowners will not at all times take the required steps for pets’ correct care, merely viewing their newly adopted pet as an object, Samuelian stated.
Since these cats had been strays, they want coaching and routines to develop into socialized and relaxed, Samuelian stated. Because there’s extra space to run round and play, they will “showcase” their personalities.
For of us not keen on adopting, you possibly can donate money for medical providers the cats and kittens want or for classes to take a seat of their area and play with them. The cost to take a seat 20 minutes with the cats is $15. For teams bigger than 4, Samuelian recommends scheduling visits forward of time.
Cats, kittens at The Little Pumpkin Cat Cafe
- Fern: A delicate lap kitten, very candy and wiggly. In search of a lap to cuddle on consistently. Favorite toy: wand toy.
- Sassy: Siamese kitten who doesn’t prefer to be petted. Must earn belief to be petted. Acts as Fern’s bodyguard. Favorite toy: wand toy.
- Oreo: Mellow and affectionate, likes to cover beneath issues and grasp escape artist. Favorite toy: laser.
- Thackery: Jealous sort, at all times desires to be focus. Is simply excitable, performs on the rougher facet and provides love bites. Favorite toy: laser.
For extra on The Little Pumpkin Cat Cafe, try the web site, thelittlepumpkincatcafe.com, and the Instagram web page, @the_little_pumpkin_cat_cafe.
Address: 226 S Main St. Suite C, Independence.
Em Chan covers meals and eating on the Statesman Journal. You can attain her at [email protected] and comply with her on Twitter @catchuptoemily.
