Maiya Mahoney & Danielle Filjon
For a slideshow of photos at the Witty Whisker Cat Cafe: https://youtu.be/wMouLz-mKW0
An eclectic array of cat decorations, sparkling string lights and vibrant mandalas adorn the Witty Whisker Cat Cafe in St. Augustine. Described as a ‘bohemian’ space serving coffee and baked goods, Angeli Rodriguez opened the Witty Whisker Cat Cafe to welcome cats and kittens, helping these furry friends find their forever homes.
In association with the Feline Canopy of Care, a no-kill animal shelter, Angeli Rodriguez welcomes cats in need of adoption and loving care.
“The Feline Canopy of Care welcomes abandoned, very sick cats and those with fleas and worms. They help them get healthy, ”Rodriguez said. “Once the cats are healthy and social enough to be in this environment, that’s where I can come in and bring them here, so that [The Feline Canopy of Care] has more room for other cats awaiting adoption.
According to the Kitten Coalition, approximately 7.6 million pets enter animal shelters nationwide each year. Of these, approximately 3.4 million are cats. In addition, 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year, including 1.4 million cats.
“There are far too many wanderers in Saint-Augustin. People who aren’t in cat rescue don’t know that. Our phones are ringing constantly, ”said Sherrie Moore, Executive Director of Feline Canopy of Care. “St. Johns County has a very high cat death rate in its shelters, and it really breaks my heart. “
For Moore, partnering up with Rodriguez at Witty Whisker has been a great relationship, resulting in over 100 adoptions this year.
“Cat coffee definitely helps increase adoptions,” Moore said. “There is no shortage of people paying to go to the cat cafe, so these cats are seen and have more opportunities to adopt our cats. “
Of cats entering shelters, according to Kitten Coalition, about 37% are adopted, 41% are euthanized, and less than 5% of stray cats are returned to their owners.
Still passionate about cats, Rodriguez was first inspired to start a cat cafe four years ago when her mother gave her an article about a girl who left American businesses for Thailand and discovered cafes. for cats. Working in a series of corporate jobs and feeling dissatisfied, Rodriquez felt intrigued by the concept of cat cafes.
“I’ve always loved cats, and I was like ‘if I could do one, what would I do?’” Rodriguez said.
Since Rodruiguez had an MBA, she started a business plan. At first she was discouraged and took a six-month break.
“I just couldn’t stop thinking about it, and after that time I chose [the business plan] back up, ”Rodriguez said.
The opening of the Cat Café has been beneficial not only for cats seeking and finding adoption, but also for Rodriguez. To enter the cafe, it’s $ 10 per person per hour. Money spent on admission to the cat cafe is used for cat food and space maintenance.
“Opening the Cat Cafe helped me step out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a businessman and as a human being,” Rodriguez said. “This work is extremely rewarding. I’m working harder than ever before, but it’s fun.
The main focus of Witty Whisker is to help cats get adopted, but the Cat Cafe also serves as a space for the community to relax with a cup of coffee, CraCraves pastry, and a furry companion. Beer, wine and seltzer water are also available. Special events and classes are offered in the Cat Lounge, such as Painting with Kittens, Meowditation, and Mewsic Nights with Kat. Flagler College students can even take advantage of Flagler Student Day every Wednesday, where showing your student ID entitles you to half the entrance to the Cat Cafe.
Posted by Witty Whisker’s entry is their slogan: “Warm hearts with a drink and a mustache.”
“My more formal mission is to help pair cats with their forever homes and help people find their little furry partners in a nice and warm environment,” Rodriguez said. “We want to make the adoption experience happy rather than sad and depressing.”
Whether it’s spending time relaxing with a furry friend, adding a new member to your family, or sipping on a hot beverage, the Witty Whisker Cat Cafe continues to strive to make a difference. in the lives of cats and in the community.
If you’re interested in working at Cafe des Cats, Rodriguez has expressed the need for part-time employees and encourages Flagler College students to apply. For those looking to volunteer, Feline Canopy of Care is looking for help and is in need of foster families.
For more information:
Witty Mustache Cat Coffee:
Angeli Rodriguez, owner
904.420.7662
112, boulevard N. Ponce de Léon (Suite A), Saint-Augustin
Feline Canopy of Care, Inc.
Sherri moore
https://fcocinc.org/our-mission
To donate to Feline Canopy of Care, Inc.
CraCraves
Kimberly blackshear
(407) 217-3051