US Gets Its First Permanent Cat Café in Oakland

If you’ve ever wanted to sip your morning coffee while a friendly feline curls up beside you, your chance has officially arrived—at least if you’re in Oakland, California. The city has just welcomed the first permanent cat café in the United States, where customers can enjoy beverages alongside adoptable cats from local shelters.

Oakland’s new Cats Town Cafe lets guests drink tea or coffee while interacting with rescued cats, all in a relaxed environment. All the felines come from a nearby animal shelter, and visitors can even adopt them.

What Is a Cat Café?

A cat café is a café-style venue where patrons can enjoy drinks and light food while spending time with cats. These spaces are designed to be relaxing for both humans and animals, often doubling as adoption centers. The concept originated in Taiwan in 1998, where the mix of aromatic coffee and playful cats created a uniquely soothing atmosphere. Since then, similar venues have spread globally.

The Rise of Cat Cafés Worldwide

Cat cafés gained popularity across Asia before spreading to Europe and North America. They offer a social space for animal lovers, combining the pleasure of specialty coffee with the comfort of furry companions. In many cases, these cafés partner with local shelters to help find homes for rescued cats. The presence of animals contributes to a calm, community-oriented environment, making them more than just a place to get a latte.

America’s First Permanent Cat Café Opens in Oakland

Until recently, the U.S. had only seen temporary pop-up versions of cat cafés. On April 27, 2024, New York briefly hosted a four-day cat café pop-up—but it wasn’t permanent. Now, Oakland has taken the lead with the first long-term, fully operational cat café in the country. Cats Town Cafe offers a permanent home where visitors can regularly enjoy coffee while engaging with resident rescue cats.

The café follows the familiar model: guests relax with beverages—coffee or tea—while interacting with the cats. All the animals are rescues from a local animal shelter, and visitors are encouraged to consider adoption. The combination of specialty coffee culture and animal welfare creates a unique community hub.

Why This Matters for Coffee and Community Spaces

This opening represents more than just a novelty—it’s part of a broader trend merging hospitality with social good. By connecting coffee culture with animal rescue, Cats Town Cafe provides a welcoming space for both coffee enthusiasts and animal lovers. It also helps promote shelter adoptions in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. The café serves as a model for how local businesses can support community causes while offering high-quality experiences to customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the first permanent cat café in the United States located?

The first permanent cat café in the United States is located in Oakland, California. It is called Cats Town Cafe and opened as a long-term venue, unlike earlier pop-up versions in cities like New York.

Are the cats at the Oakland cat café available for adoption?

Yes, all the cats at Oakland’s Cats Town Cafe come from a local animal shelter and are available for adoption. The café encourages visitors to interact with the cats and consider giving them a permanent home.

How is this cat café different from previous ones in the U.S.?

Previous cat cafés in the U.S., such as a four-day pop-up in New York in April 2024, were temporary. Oakland’s Cats Town Cafe is the country’s first permanent, continuously operating cat café where guests can visit regularly.

What kinds of drinks are served at Cats Town Cafe?

Cats Town Cafe serves both coffee and tea. While the article does not specify the exact types or brewing methods, it confirms that standard café beverages are available alongside cat interaction.

What was the first country to have a cat café?

Taiwan was the first country to open a cat café, debuting the concept in 1998. This established the model of combining coffee service with live cats for companionship.

Do cat cafés actually help with animal adoption?

Yes, many cat cafés, including those in Asia and now Oakland, partner with local shelters and serve as adoption centers. The relaxed environment helps visitors connect with cats, often leading to increased adoptions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cat Lovers' Cafés

For a cat café like Oakland’s new Cats Town Cafe, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright citrus and floral notes, perfect for lively morning chats with cats. Pair it with Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nuttiness, ideal for relaxed afternoon sipping. Both beans highlight the quality and clarity expected in third-wave coffee shops. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.