Beyond the Cat Cafe: Fort Worth's New BYOC Cat Lounge

For years, I've had the immense joy of being a pet sitter here in Fort Worth, and every day, I see the incredible bond between pet parents and their furry family members. I've watched dogs at Mutts Canine Cantina and ZBonz Dog Park, running free, playing with new friends, and getting all their energy out in a safe, fun environment. It's a wonderful thing to witness.

But it always gets me thinking: Why are there dog parks, but no cat parks?

Why do dogs get all the fun?

He's probably smiling because he's going to the dog park

It seems a bit unfair. Our feline friends, despite their independent nature, also crave new experiences, mental stimulation, and quality time outside of the four walls they call home. And as a local pet parent myself, I know the struggle is real.

But wait, I know what you're thinking: But Kenya, we already have a incredible cat cafes like The Casual Cat Cafe, The Cozy Catfe, and Whiskers and Soda, which do amazing work finding cats their forever homes. But once you have your cat, where can you go to play with them? Where is our space to bond?

Enter Catio Gardens

A Day in the Life of a Cat Parent

We cat mommas and poppas do what we can to keep our beloved kitties entertained. We provide toys, treats, teasers, and attention. Some of our cats find their own source of entertainment around the house by unconventional means.

Cat Home Entertainment System

Those of us who are homeowners have been able to build a small enclosure, called a catio (cat patio) or install a special window box to give our cats a chance to enjoy the outdoor sights and smells.

But not all of us are homeowners, or have the skills, funds, or desire to modify our homes in such a way.

I've even seen some cats who will tolerate a harness to be taken on short walks. But this isn't reality for most cat owners. So, really, outside of the occasional trip to the vet or groomers, where does a cat get to go?

And this is why there are no cat parks, lol!

What if there was a dedicated place for them to explore, climb, and simply be a cat in a new, stimulating environment? Here's the problem: the world is not built for the domesticated cat. Our yards aren't fenced in to keep a clever cat safe. Most patios don't have cat-safe enclosures. And though dog -friendly places of businesses are becoming increasingly popular, especially in urban areas like downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, the practicality of taking a cat to these places doesn't exist. I'm curious.

I'm curious. Why do dogs get all the fun? And how could we change that?

I want to let you in on a little secret: I’m working on a solution. My dream is to create a unique space right here in Fort Worth, a BYOC (Bring Your Own Cat) play lounge made just for cat parents and their fur babies.

The Vision: A BYOC Cat Lounge

Imagine this: a clean, beautiful, and fully secure indoor space where you can reserve a private room just for you and your kitty. They could explore new climbing apparatuses, burrow in new cat boxes, and get their claws into surfaces made just for them—all without the risk of running away or meeting a dog. It's a place to take a break from home and enjoy a new, engaging environment together. That's what I want Catio Gardens to be for it's visitors.

I bet this lil guy would enjoy going to my cat lounge

What makes this cat lounge different from a cat cafe?

There are two major difference between my idea for a cat lounge, and the existing cat cafe model.

One: cat cafes are wonderful organizations whose main purpose is to showcase adoptable cats in an environment where they can interact with potential adopters. My cat lounge will be a haven for the relationship that exists after a cat/cats have found their furrever home.

Two: Cat cafes provide light refreshments for purchase on site. Usually a patron must purchase a tea, coffee, or other drink or light snack as an entry fee, or alongside a small donation to play with the cats in-house. In my version, there is no on-site food or beverage preparation. There will, however, be vending available to provide light refreshments.

I like to think of this as the BYOM (bring your own mug) model, in which there may be a coffee maker or tea bags on site, but the visitor will provide their own drinking vessel.

BYOC+BYOM

Challenges to offering a non-cat cafe cat lounge

Of course, when I’ve mentioned this idea to people (including my daughter!), they've brought up some practical questions:

• "Won't the cats get scared?"

• "How do you ensure every cat is healthy?"

• "What if they don't get along?"

These are important questions, and I've been thinking about them a lot. My vision for Catio Gardens includes a check-in process to ensure all visiting cats are up-to-date on their vaccinations, and the private room model would prevent any unwanted interactions. But I'm also still in the planning stages and would love your input. What solutions would you suggest? What would make you feel most comfortable bringing your cat to a place like this?

I plan to have lots of fun things like this at the cat lounge

Help Me Bring This Idea to Life

This is more than just a business idea; it's about creating a much-needed community resource for cat lovers like myself (shout out to PJ, Tulip, Clover, and Peyton). It’s about giving our cats the kind of enrichment and fun they deserve, that dogs have had all along.

If this idea resonates with you, I would be so grateful for your help in gauging interest for such an endeavor.

Please take a few minutes to fill out a quick survey to help me gather interest and shape the future of this unique business. Your feedback will be invaluable.

Until next time, I wish you peace, love and harmony in your cat or dog home.

Stay tuned for Catio Gardens and stay up to date with it's progress on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn

-Kenya, CatsDogsHarmony