Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Loralei Lazurek
At PHX Cat Cafe, every sip of coffee and every cat’s meow tells a story of hope, dedication and the simple joy of connection. It is a narrative that unfolds daily within the walls of this distinctive cafe, inviting all who enter to be part of something truly special.
The unique establishment, which intertwines the aroma of freshly brewed coffee with the gentle purring of cats, is more than just a place to sip and pet. It is a thriving community hub that caters to both humans and cats alike, offering an array of activities from cat-themed yoga sessions to vibrant drag bingo nights, all within a space that feels like a slice of home for its whiskered inhabitants.
Yet, beneath its cozy and inviting ambiance, PHX Cat Cafe harbors a deeper mission. Spearheaded by CEO Carrie Schwartz, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to the well-being and future of its feline residents, many of whom arrive from the challenging life of outdoor colonies.
Their story is one of transformation, from survival in the shadows to basking in the warmth of potential forever homes. Among them is Charles, an energetic orange tabby whose zest for life is as infectious as it is demanding, embodying the spirit and resilience that PHX Cat Cafe stands to celebrate and protect.
“Charles is a playful whirlwind in a catsuit,” says Schwartz, noting that he exhibits more canine than feline behavior. “He had been adopted but was sadly returned due to his very high energy. This beautiful orange boy knows all sorts of tricks — like sit, spin and stand — and he loves leash or stroller walks. He needs someone who is dedicated and dog-savvy, but does not want the hassle of providing outdoor potty breaks.”
Purr-fect Blend
PHX Cat Cafe’s life began as La Gattara, a Tempe-based for-profit venture owned and operated by Melissa Pruitt.
“After discussions and learning more about the cat cafe landscape, Melissa and I understood the difficulty of sustaining such businesses for profit,” Schwartz says. “So, in 2020, we decided to re-establish it as a nonprofit organization, thereby providing more transparency about where the entrance fee goes and how the money is used.
“We secured a lease in downtown Phoenix in October 2020 and officially opened on Jan. 1, 2022, after navigating the city permitting process. Many people were still not clear about our offerings based on the original name, so in late 2023, we rebranded La Gattara as PHX Cat Cafe. Our new name now clearly communicates who we are: a full-service coffee shop and cat adoption lounge.”
Upon entering the cafe, patrons can indulge in a variety of beverages before immersing themselves in the charming lounge, which typically houses 20–30 cats and boasts elaborate shelves, a “super highway” play structure, cabinets and ample vertical space.
“We source our cats from diverse places,” Schwartz says. “Right now, we have a few from the Yuma Humane Society and a couple of boys that were rescued from a hoarding situation last summer. Most of our cats, though, come from outdoor colonies. My volunteers and I have connections with people who find super-friendly cats in their neighborhoods. Some may have been [abandoned] by their owners, while others may have lived outdoors all along and just became friendly over time. Either way, we want to get them into a better, safer environment.”
Although the concept has been around for more than 20 years, one could argue that it only recently entered the mainstream consciousness courtesy of “Call Me Kat,” a FOX television sitcom in which Mayim Bialik plays an optimistic and fun-loving woman who uses her entire savings to open a cat cafe in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Interestingly, many people compare us to [that TV show], but there is one crucial difference: We strictly adhere to Maricopa County health codes,” Schwartz says. “A physical wall separates the coffee shop and cat lounge, along with separate air conditioning units.”
The cafe’s full-service coffee shop serves up coffee, tea, smoothies and Italian sodas, as well as a few prepackaged snack items. Guests are also welcome to bring their own beverages into the lounge to enjoy while visiting the cats. However, sharing food or beverages with the cats is strictly prohibited.
“We have a set of rules that we call our 10 Cat-mandments,” explains Schwartz, noting that such rules are necessary to maintain the safety of both the guests and the cats as well as the serenity of the lounge.
Among those rules are limits on the number of people in PHX Cat Cafe, which accepts reservations through its website.
“While we do take walk-in guests as space permits, reservations are highly recommended — and required for groups with children under 13,” Schwartz says. “We often have to turn away walk-in guests on Saturdays and Sundays because we limit the number of people in the lounge for the cats’ safety and stress reduction.”
Latte Love
Although all the cats at the cafe are available for adoption, Schwartz acknowledges that most guests come specifically to visit and socialize with them.
“Many are out-of-towners or folks who cannot have cats at home due to allergies,” she explains. “We hear people say, ‘My husband is allergic, so I am bringing our kids,’ or ‘I am allergic, but I love cats and it is my birthday.’”
Nonetheless, finding forever homes for the felines is the nonprofit organization’s ultimate goal, with PHX Cat Cafe facilitating an average of 125 adoptions each year.
“Right now, I am hoping to find a home for an adorable four-pack,” Schwartz notes. “They are actually two bonded pairs: Harley and Ruthie, shy cats who have blossomed over the past year and a half, now even taking treats, and Ivan and Sterling, brothers rescued from that hoarding case I previously mentioned. These four cats follow each other around playfully and are inseparable. I am determined to find them a loving home where they can all stay together.”
The CEO says that, interestingly, it is often the cats that she thinks will be most quickly adopted that end up being PHX Cat Cafe’s long-term residents.
“While I have come to understand a lot about animal behavior, human behavior can still be quite puzzling,” Schwartz explains. “I believe that many people think, ‘Oh, this one is such a friendly young cat, so someone else is sure to adopt them.’”
Shy cats are especially overlooked.
“Pumpkin is one of our shy ‘feral friends’ who has been with us for more than two years,” Schwartz says. “Buddy Boy and Charlie Girl are two more that have each been here for over a year. Then there is Ellie, a gorgeous tabby with an unusual coat pattern. She is sweet but shy and thrives in quiet times, even playing with toys when fewer people are around. She has been with us for a few months now.
“Sadly, shy cats like these are often overlooked compared to seniors or those with special medical needs. It is understandable why people want to ‘save the under-cat,’ but I wish that more of them would consider adopting our shy ones. They desperately need patient homes where they can truly blossom into loving, one-on-one companions.”
The more free-roaming environment of the lounge allows potential adopters to get at least a glimpse of the cats’ personalities, but Schwartz reminds people that it can still be a stressful experience for them and PHX Cat Cafe is very different from an actual home in which they can feel comfortable to reveal their true selves.
“We have many great [nonprofit animal welfare] organizations in the Valley, but it is tough to truly gauge a cat’s personality when they are in a small space, such as a kennel,” she adds. “That said, we absolutely need those spaces too. We often do cat trades with other organizations because some cats just do not thrive in the lounge environment. They might clash with other cats, get bullied or have other issues.”
Paws and Reflect
As a nonprofit, PHX Cat Cafe is always appreciative of donations and new volunteers — especially those who can commit to a regular schedule.
“We are currently only accepting volunteers 18 and over,” Schwartz says. “Most tasks involve cat care — scooping litter boxes, feeding and such. Occasionally, volunteers might socialize with cats who need isolation, whether that is for medical recovery, shyness or temporary conflict with other cats.”
While Schwartz encourages her staff and volunteers to get to know the lounge’s residents, she generally handles adoption counseling herself.
“I have always been an animal lover,” says Schwartz, who has fostered many cats over the years. “In fact, my first jobs were at PetSmart and a veterinarian’s office. I then went into veterinary sales and now I have a master’s degree in animal behavior. Simply put, my life and career have always been intertwined with animals.”
In addition to PHX Cat Cafe, the CEO also owns a business that offers cat and dog behavior consulting and training.
“If I could pay the bills solely focusing on cat behavior, I would,” Schwartz says. “But as I tell people, ‘Puppies pay the bills.’ Despite that, I am most fascinated by cat behavior and have always wanted to stay in the realm of our feline friends.”
Speaking of cat behavior, Schwartz has become quite attuned to it through her experiences at PHX Cat Cafe and her other feline ventures.
“I often educate people on cat body language,” she says. “For example, Harley, from our bonded four-pack, has gained confidence from his brothers but remains cautious around people. He might appear open to attention, but a subtle pullback signals his discomfort. People often miss these subtle cues, so I always warn folks approaching him that he might not want to be petted. Reaching for him can lead to him swatting — which, unfortunately, happens quite frequently.”
Luckily, PHX Cat Cafe also provides complimentary cat behavior services to all adopters, ensuring a smooth transition for its beloved felines from the lounge to their forever homes.
Whether it is to indulge in the joy of feline companionship without the long-term commitment, to celebrate a milestone surrounded by the comforting presence of cats, or to perhaps find a new furry family member, PHX Cat Cafe stands as a testament to the power of compassion and community. It is a place where the love for cats and coffee brews a richer, more meaningful experience for all who step through its doors.
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