A Purrfect Respite

Christy Doherty

50plus Magazine

EVERYONE ENJOYS a little escape now and then — to a rec center, a pub, restaurant or park. Now cat lovers have a great new option: the Eugene Springfield Cat Lounge, where one can enjoy a bite, beverage and relaxation — in the company of lovely felines.

Opened in Springfield in January, proprietor Michelle Wyatt’s goal is for the lounge to be an oasis for people and cats, and “the prize inside” — the opportunity for both to find a lifelong friend.

“It’s a perfect place to relax, slow down, and connect — a calm environment, away from the problems and noise of life,” Michelle smiles.

Some visitors to the cozy lounge bring a book to read or choose one from the bookcases. Others join in classes like Knitting with Cats. But, Michelle says, most just come to enjoy the kitties. Children 8 or older are welcome.

A snack bar offers hot and cold (including “adult”) beverages and snack food. A small boutique features cat-themed home goods, apparel and books, plus a few kitty essentials like nail trimmers and toys. A gallery displays watercolor, glass and wood artworks, and cat quilts.

Resident kitties come from two local nonprofits: Cat Rescue & Adoption Network (CRAN) and Felines Fairy-godmother Rescue. “I’m essentially functioning as a foster home for cats,” Michelle explains. “They live here day and night, where it’s designed like a home, not a shelter.”

The relaxed setting lets each cat’s personality shine through, which often doesn’t happen in a shelter setting. Another plus for prospective adopters: the cats can choose you, which is high praise indeed.

In its first 12 weeks, the lounge facilitated 14 adoptions. Adopters never leave the same day with a cat, though. Wyatt and her rescue partners meet weekly, working to ensure happy, lifelong matches. Adopters are asked to commit to a cat for life, and to make a plan — such as provision in their will — to ensure their kitty will be cared for if they are ever unable to care for them.

Some of these lovely cats are owner surrenders — for reasons like deployment, moving, or someone passing on. Others come from TNR (Trap Neuter Release) programs (because many homeless cats aren’t actually feral). Some were displaced by natural disasters, like the McKenzie River wildfires. Getting these adoptable cats into rescue — and hopefully a stay at the lounge — is a big win.

Lounge guests likewise have a backstory. Some miss a kitty who passed away; a college student may miss their mouser back home. Some are unable to have a cat at home due to a cat-allergic family member. Whatever the case — seeking to adopt or to simply enjoy the company of beautiful felines — the lounge is a wonderful place to hang out and relax, surrounded by furry friends.

The cat lounge phenomenon began in Taiwan, followed by Japan, where “many people in apartments were not allowed pets,” Wyatt says. Over seven years, she visited cat cafes in the US and beyond. Her research prepared her to retire from a 27-year medical practice to open her own cat lounge.

“I decided now was the time!”

Learn more at EugeneSpringfieldCatLounge.com or EugeneSpringfieldCatLounge on social media.