The ASPCA estimates that around 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters across the country each year. Cat overpopulation is a serious concern for shelters in the United States — but find comfort knowing that you can help combat this issue by patronizing Raleigh’s first cat cafe, Purr Cup Cafe. 

A cat cafe is a coffee shop that allows guests to enjoy their provisions in the company of cats, a concept that originally gained popularity in Taiwan and Japan. The cats are typically rescues from partnering rescue organizations, thus improving their chances of adoption by providing a more comfortable environment for potential adopters to find a suitable companion. 

Purr Cup Cafe’s owners, Sarah Newton and Arthur Hailey, both self-proclaimed feline enthusiasts, caught inspiration to open their own cat cafe after visiting Kawaii Kitty Cafe in Philadelphia. The hybridization of a coffee shop and cat adoption center helps reduce the rising number of cats in shelters, all while cultivating a community that brings animal lovers and java fanatics under one roof. 

Newton and Hailey wanted their menu to be completely vegan to reduce their environmental impact and maintain their value of supporting animals of all species. 

“We always say we didn’t want to hurt any other animals to help cats,” Hailey said. 

Purr Cup made its debut in 2020, starting with pop-up events that featured cats from Meow House Cat Rescue and select menu items. 

“The first or second one we did just exploded,” Hailey said. 

Purr Cup’s brick and mortar, located on Prospect Avenue off of South Saunders, opened to the public in October of 2020. They partnered with Safe Haven for Cats until 2023 when they began taking rescues from the SPCA of Wake County.

The cafe has helped 481 kitties find their forever homes since opening, an accomplishment that makes the hard work of owning a business worthwhile.

“A major rewarding part is that we get a lot of people coming in here after their cats have passed and they are either missing their cats or starting to prepare for adding one back into their lives,” Hailey said. 

Since the presence of animals prevents them from being able to prepare food on-site, Purr Cup sources its vegan treats from local restaurants and businesses such as Dee’s Kitchen and The Fiction Kitchen. They offer a variety of coffees, teas and matchas and house specials that are the cat’s meow. 

“We have a ‘torty mocha’ which is a caramel and chocolate mocha with whipped cream and caramel and chocolate drizzle, and the ‘caramel meowchiatto’ which is caramel drizzle on a vanilla latte,” Hailey said. 

The cafe keeps a rotating selection of merchandise ranging from cat-themed jewelry to quirky bumper stickers, most of which comes from small businesses within North Carolina.

Purr Cup also hosts what they call “Stray Cats Markets” featuring vegan food trucks, local vendors, live music and even tarot readings. Hailey said they’re holding their next one in March for the spring equinox. 

College students are especially encouraged to visit Purr Cup for a serotonin-boosting session with the kitties at a discounted price. By using the code “StudyBuddy” when booking an online reservation for the cat room, students can get $2 off per person on Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 4 p.m. For those who just want to grab a beverage, a 10% student discount can be applied to in-house drinks. 

Emely Chavez-Rosa, a second-year studying animal science, recently visited Purr Cup Cafe for the first time and described the atmosphere as homey and warm. 

“I liked it because the only time I’d ever seen cats, they were in a cage at a shelter,” Chavez-Rosa said. “This time, I actually got to see cats interacting with people, walking around, sleeping.”

As for the future of Purr Cup, Newton and Hailey have dreams of expanding to accommodate more guests and, obviously, more kitties. 

“I would love to open a second location with more of everything: more cats, more baked good options, more space, more seating,” Hailey said. 

When you visit Purr Cup, you’re guaranteed quality coffee and a welcoming environment to unwind with furry friends; what isn’t guaranteed is that you will be able to resist falling in love with one of the kitties. 

When asked about their favorite aspect of owning Purr Cup, Hailey said, “Seeing [the cats] get adopted, fallen in love with and going to their forever homes to enrich people’s lives.”