“The yoga is actually optional,” says Emma Walsh, new manager of the Columbus Humane Society’s Eat, Purr, Love cat cafe at 3041 Indianola Avenue. “You can just sit on a mat and play with a cat, and that’s a good thing.”
Modeled after cat cafes in Indianapolis and Philadelphia, the cat cafe houses adult cats ready their forever homes.
“We have so many wonderful beings here, like Luna and Brzoo, who would be the best friends ever,” said Walsh.
The Columbus Humane Society acquired Eat, Purr, Love in July 2018 and became the first non-profit shelter to operate a cat cafe off premises. “It was great how it all came together,” notes Walsh. “I had finished yoga teacher training and was teaching at BlueSpot, and I was looking to do something other than fashion design — which I do love — that was charity-oriented. It just all fell in place.”
Walsh has made several changes at the cat cafe including significantly upgrading the tea which is also for sale. Coffee is by Yeah Me, Too on Indianola and sweet treats come from Pattycake Bakery. Walsh has also sourced new retail and created gift boxes that feature items created by local artisans. “We have catnip toys in sushi shapes. Everyone enjoys those!”
The yoga program will start December 29, 2019 and plans are to hold classes twice a month to start. Walsh will have very friendly classes for everyone including the felines. The drop-in fee includes the cate cafe cover charge and a 75-minute yoga class. The yoga will be accessible to all levels, and students are encouraged to hang out for awhile after class to play with the cats.
“Everyone will have some cat toys and some choice catnip.”
To ensure that everyone including the cats have the best time, 12 people are allowed with each yoga class. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Eat, Purr, Love is located at 3041 Indianola Avenue. Yoga classes with Emma Walsh start December 29, 2019. For more information visit eatpurrlovecatcafe.com.