Dat Cat Cafe Hopes to Become NOLA's First Feline-Friendly Coffee Shop

With the odd phenomenon that is cat cafes sweeping the nation, it was only a matter of time till one pounced on New Orleans. Two local vet techs have launched a Kickstarter with hopes of opening the first cat cafe in town, reports NOLA Defender. Miranda Schneider and Drew Rumley have appropriately dubbed their project Dat Cat Cafe, and hope to raise $20,000 to get the establishment off the ground.

Per the Kickstarter, "Miranda, Drew and their associates want to partner with A.R.N.O. (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and other local, no kill rescue groups and individuals to adopt an array of cats that will live and roam free in the cafe. There will be a special area called 'The Playroom' where guests, after purchasing coffee or a snack will pay for time to access the cat play-space." They intend to source baked goods from either La Boulangerie or Laurel Street Bakery, while the coffee and coffee bar equipment will come from Orleans Coffee Roasters. And if you happen to fall in love with a tabby while sipping a cappuccino, it can even go home with you: All the cats will be available for adoption to good homes.

A site for Dat Cat Cafe hasn't been chosen just yet, but Schneider and Rumley are eyeing potential spaces "on Magazine Street, Freret Street, Oak Street, Poydras and many more." With 46 days to go, the Kickstarter has already exceeded more than 25 percent of its $20,000 goal.