KALAMAZOO, MI - Abbey Thompson's dream of a cat cafe in Kalamazoo will soon become a reality, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Thompson, a 28-year-old residence hall director at Western Michigan University, said they have now secured a location with funds from the Kickstarter.
"I'm feeling a lot of gratitude because people clearly want us to open the cat cafe," Thompson said.
Thanks to 268 donors, the Kzoo Cat Cafe will be located 1128 W. Michigan Ave.
In-order to secure the funds from donors pledged through the Kickstarter website, Thompson had to meet her goal of $15,000 by 4:13 p.m. April 9. Ultimately, she surpassed that goal, raising $15,721.
Kzoo Cat Cafe will be joining the handful of these popular shops throughout Michigan, including Catfe Lounge in Ferndale, Tiny Lions in Ann Arbor and Happy Cat Cafe coming soon to Grand Rapids.
The next steps for the cafe include renovations to the building and working closely with the city of Kalamazoo and the health department to ensure they're up to code and ready to open as soon as possible.
"We're trying to go as fast as we possibly can but there's a lot of different departments and a lot of different people to coordinate with," Thompson said.
The Kzoo Cat Cafe will operate as a shelter but will offer pre-packaged snacks and self-serve beverages including coffee, canned drinks and bottled water, all included in the entry fee.
Cat Nap Lodge, a non-profit cat rescue, will provide adoptable cats and the cafe will use their adoption process. The process consists of an application, screening and a veterinarian reimbursement fee of $150, which includes an exam, feline leukemia test, vaccinations, spay/neuter and flea/parasite treatments.
As for an opening date, Thompson said they are still unsure, but hope to be open sometime this summer.
For more information and to stay up to date on the Kzoo Cat Cafe, visit their Facebook page.