Pictured above: McGregor enjoying a cat nap while people watching in downtown St. Petersburg.
Courtesy of Adriana Reeves | The Crow’s Nest
By Adriana Reeves
Nestled off the busy streets of downtown St. Petersburg lies the cutest cat café filled with fluffy, adoptable cats.
Opened in June 2020, Sunshine Kitty Catfe has become a hub for locals and tourists to play with cats while enjoying a coffee or cold beverage.
Owner Amanda Jones created an environment that is not only comforting to the cats but also relaxing for people to visit.
“I wanted to create a space where people can experience that same wonderful feeling that I have after every cat cafe visit I’ve ever had: utter and complete peace, relaxation, happiness, and sense of well-being. It’s like floating on cloud nine… with cats,” Jones said.
When entering the “catfe,” visitors are directed to a small cubby to hold shoes and other belongings outside of the cat-filled lounge. Visitors are required to wear only socks inside the cat lounge. Socks are available for purchase at the check-in desk.
Visitors have one hour to explore and enjoy the lounge, where there are multiple rooms filled with toys, comfy chairs and – most importantly – cats.
According to the Sunshine Kitty Catfe website, “It is scientifically proven that spending time with cats reduces stress, decreases blood pressure, and promotes the release of endorphins in the brain that make us feel happy. It has also been shown that the frequency of the vibrations from a cat’s purr can promote healing within the body.”
With many students attending in-person classes for the first time in nearly two years, finding healthy stress outlets is imperative to a positive college experience.
The catfe aims to be exactly that.
The unique feline-focused experience provides an opportunity to relax from everyday stressors for all types of cat lovers. Whether it’s kitten cuddles or playtime with a spunky cat, the catfe has it all.
Its website states “the ‘Cat Lounge’ is a space which provides a relaxed, home-like environment” where visitors can interact with free-roaming cats, who live there until they get adopted.
Visitors are welcomed into a safe space that allows them to be free with a furry companion for an hour of relaxation and fun.
The Sunshine Kitty Catfe is partnered with Friends of Strays Animal Shelters. All cats are available for adoption and potential adopters must go through an adoption screening process.
Reservations are required. It is recommended that visitors book at least one day in advance. Tickets are $17 per person.
To book a visit, go to bookeo.com/sunshinekitty
