Cat Cafe Helping to Increase OKC Adoption Rate As Shelter Takes Influx of Animals

As the Oklahoma City animal shelter sees a massive influx of dogs and cats, Oklahoma's first cat cafe is helping to increase the local adoption rate.

Don't Stress Meowt, at 1900 Linwood Blvd. in Oklahoma City, had its grand opening on Saturday. The cat cafe features an enclosed lounge where customers can interact with 15 to 25 foster cats from Safe Haven Animal Rescue. Anyone interested in adopting one of the felines can scan a QR code at the cafe, which takes them directly to Safe Haven's application form.

Adam Fitzpatrick, who co-owns Don't Stress Meowt with his wife Michaela, said as of Tuesday afternoon, four cats at the cafe had already been adopted by customers.

"They're behaving in a way that the human wants to interact with them and just falls in love with them and takes them home," said Fitzpatrick.

One of the adopted cats was Crimson, who went to her forever home on Tuesday.

"Their owners just came and picked (her) up and it was a surreal moment," said Fitzpatrick. "That's what this is all about. So then getting to see it just come to life and happen in front of our eyes is a really cool experience."

The importance of adopting animals was highlighted after OKC Animal Welfare announced that it took in 143 animals on Monday alone, the first day of its reopening. The shelter had been closed for a month-and-a-half due to a disease outbreak.

OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary said the shelter had been below capacity in dogs for the first time in years. But that was immediately negated when the shelter took in 75 dogs and 68 cats on Monday.

"It was a little disheartening, you know," said Gary. "We're now back over capacity for dogs."

Gary stressed the importance of spaying and neutering to prevent shelters from being overwhelmed. He also advised good Samaritans to explore other avenues to help animals.

"If you find a lost pet in your neighborhood, the best thing you can do is search the neighborhood, go through the social media sites that are available that people post for lost pets on. Do everything you can to try to get that animal home prior to coming to the shelter," said Gary.

Gary added that 20% of dogs and less than 1% of cats get reclaimed by owners after they enter the shelter.

To encourage adoptions, OKC Animal Welfare is waving the adoption fees for about 100 dogs. 

As for cats that are looking for fur-ever homes, they can be found at the shelter and at Don't Stress Meowt.

"The primary way that we're giving back to the community is just bringing something really cool and then increasing the adoption rates here in Oklahoma," said Fitzpatrick.

Due to extremely high demand, Don't Stress Meowt is only taking reservations for the cat lounge at this time. The price is $15 an hour per person. Fitzpatrick said he hopes that in a month or two down the road, they'll have walk-in availability. Meanwhile, the coffee shop is open to everyone.

Meanwhile, people can also see which cats and dogs are available for adoption at OKC Animal Welfare by visiting its website.