What to expect at Chattanooga’s new cat café

cat cafe

Chattanooga has a new cat café, where people can play with and adopt cats. (Photo: MacKenzie Scott)

Table of Contents

We’ve been teasing it in our post of the day and on our Facebook page, but ICYMI — holy felines — there’s a cat café in Chattanooga now.

We were picturing the Japanese cat café where Shoshana from “Girls” worked, so we had to know what St. Elmo’s Naughty Cat Café is really like.

Here’s what we found out. ⬇️

Getting fur-miliar with Naughty Cat Café

🐱 The business fosters adoptable cats from the local organizations Humane Educational Society + Pet Placement Center.

📍 3742 Tennessee Ave., Suite 100

⏰ Closed Mondays, hours here. Reservations recommended.

💰 $13/hour, which includes a free non-alcoholic beverage. Beer + baked goods are available to purchase.

🐱 You must be at least 8 years old to visit. First-time visitors need to sign a waiver + you should arrive 10 minutes earlier than the reservation.

Upon entering, visitors sign in + can sip a complimentary cup of self-serve tea or coffee, peruse merchandise or purchase a pastry from Mama Crunk’s Pies or Cupcake Kitchen.

Two large cat lounges connect to the entry room + currently house over 20 cats, which roam freely from room to room. There’s also a Kitten Sanctuary, which currently houses two of the café’s shy + timid cats. As kitten season approaches + local shelters receive an overflow of kittens, Naughty Cat Café will foster and care for them there.

I can haz all the kittehs?

  • Owners = Whitney Sickels + Heath Hanson
  • 100% of the $50 adoption fee goes to the animal shelters. The entry fee + sales of snacks benefit the business’ maintenance and operations.
  • The name “naughty” was inspired by cats’ mischievous nature.
  • The website features an updated list of the adoptable cats at the café.
  • All cats are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, vaccinated for rabies, microchipped + FeLV/FIV tested.
  • Monthly events will be announced + may include yoga with cats or a BYOB wine night with the cats.
  • The business offers three private party options.
  • Since opening the second week of March, 10 cats have been adopted + the café has had 1,400 visitors. 🐈

Poll

More from NOOGAtoday
What to know before heading downtown for the free Friday night concert series.
The Hamill Road rail crossing sees frequent blockages, causing delays for drivers and emergency vehicles.
Blood Assurance and the American Red Cross are offering perks for donations to help boost supply.
The beloved Sunday market is gearing up for its opening weekend this spring — here are the biggest events you don’t want to miss this season.
Beat the heat by taking a refreshing dip in one of these spots in and around the city.
Here’s how you can join fellow Chattanoogans in celebrating Earth Week through Saturday, April 25.
It’s time to hit play because we’re spinning some tracks on where to get the best deals on Record Store Day around the Scenic City.
This Southside spot combines a makers market, classroom, and cafe — all in one creative space.
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
The Chattanooga Lookouts’ brand-new stadium opens Tuesday, April 14. Here’s everything you need to know before you head to the park.