Photo: Kendall Buhl/WBZ NewsRadio
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new cat cafe in Lowell opened their doors on Friday.
The Lazy Cat Lounge was founded by Brandi Jong, a cat lover who has volunteered with the Lowell Humane Society for about 20 years.
She had heard about cat cafes popping up elsewhere and figured that there would be an audience for such a thing in Lowell.
“Come here on your lunch hour or whatever, have a coffee do some work on the Wi-Fi and sit with the cats," Jong said.
Jong said the cafe is perfect for people who can not spend time with cats otherwise.
“You can’t have a cat at home for whatever reason, somebody who has a family member who's allergic to cats, business people who are too busy,” Jong said.
That includes visitors like Miranda. “My fiancée’s allergic to cats and I love them, so this is a great place for me to go to get some cat time,” Miranda said.
Brandi Jong, the owner of Lazy Cat LoungePhoto: Kendall Buhl/WBZ NewsRadio
Alvin Ting, a customer at the café, playing with one of the catsPhoto: Kendall Buhl/WBZ NewsRadio
Photo: Kendall Buhl/WBZ NewsRadio
Customer Alvin Ting, who has three cats at home, was at the grand opening.
“It’s always wonderful to see cats. I like to play with them because I recognize their body language…these ones are playful,” Alvin said.
Jong said the current cats living at the cafe were adopted from the Lowell Humane Society to act as "ambassadors." She plans on bringing adoptable cats to the cafe soon.
“You’re not going in and seeing a cat that’s been in a cage all day and then is stressed out,” Jong said. “This is a more home-like environment you get to see their personality a little bit better.”
Along with the Lowell Humane Society, the cafe is partnered with Broken Tail Rescue out of Worchester, which Jong has also volunteered with for about two decades fostering animals. Other partners include Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, Community Teamwork, Tandem Vet Care, The Tipsy Tabby, Atomic Coffee Roasters, and Pizzelle Bakes.
Sessions for the café can be booked on their website.
Correction: A previous version of this story said that Jong was a longtime volunteer with the MSPCA, and that the cats at the cafe had come from the MSPCA. Jong actually volunteered with the Lowell Humane Society, and the cats living at the cafe were adopted from the Lowell Humane Society.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reported this story.