New Kitty Catfé in Mount Clemens offers respite for homeless cats

One of the most significant challenges facing the Humane Society of Macomb is space for abandoned cats. Currently, that need is exceptionally high. Haleigh Strasdin, event coordinator at the society, reports that 75% of the local shelters are at maximum capacity. This is most likely from people surrendering animals adopted during the pandemic and then either not wanting to or not being able to care for them upon returning to their workplaces. Gratefully, a new animal care model is easing that pressure.

The Kitty Catfé, located at 73 N. Main

Street in Mount Clemens, opened on April 29, offering a cage-free life to shelter cats until their adoption regardless of how long that takes. The Catfé is a sizable loft-like room where cats can roam, play with piles of toys, snooze on couches and play with each other, which helps improve their social skills.

“One of the significant benefits of being out of the cage is reducing cortisol levels,” said Strasdin. “A normal level of this stress hormone helps the cats keep their appetite, reduces aggressive behavior and helps maintain physical fitness.”

Another significant benefit is the cats are more themselves when meeting potential new cat parents.

“Typically, cats in shelter cages can be skittish and sometimes aggressive,” she said. “They are not only scared, but they are tired because they don’t feel safe enough to sleep deeply. And, that can make for a difficult first meeting.”

The cats at the Kitty Catfé are so much more relaxed because they can walk around, hang out in the big front window and interact with visitors (who can make an appointment for a small fee).

Although the Kitty

Catfé has only been open for a few weeks, Stasdin is already reporting a faster adoption rate. “It takes

2-4 months for a cat in the shelter to be adopted. Cats at Kitty Catfé-type facilities get adopted within

1-2 months”, reports Strasdin. As of this writing, 21 cats have already been adopted. This means the Catfé can take in even more cats, and the shelter will, once again, have space to take in more cats.

“Fostering saves hundreds of lives a year, and the Kitty Catfé is one big foster home for our cats,” Strasdin added. “With the help of the Catfe, we are able to get more community recognition, increasing our ability to stand up for the voiceless and

spread awareness about animal welfare.”

Although the cats live at the Kitty Catfé, they are still owned by the Humane Society of Macomb. The society tries to supply all the food and litter, but the Kitty Catfé is grateful for any donations they receive. Strasdin is at the Catfé every week to weigh the cats, check their teeth and nails, and most importantly, address any medical or behavioral issues that have come up.

The adoption process is even easier. Potential cat parents can spend time with the cats if one (or more!) pulls on their heartstrings. Those potential owners can spend uninhibited time with the cat to see if that pull leads to a full-blown connection.

“That kind of relaxed ‘meet and greet” just can’t happen in an animal shelter. The better the initial meetings, the better the chances of a successful adoption,” says Stasdin. When a cat is adopted from a shelter, it typically takes at least two weeks for the cat to start to feel relaxed in their new home. Since the cats are so much more relaxed and have better social skills thanks to living outside of a cage, the assimilation into the new home is faster and most importantly, easier for the cats. A winning model for everyone.

The Kitty Catfé is located at 73 N Main St. in Mount Clemens. For more information or to schedule a visit, go to kittycatfe. com.