Our Story
The Charming Cat Cafe evolved as a natural progression after 15 years of fostering cats in private homes, maintaining an in-store adoption center for 11 years, and conducting adoption events with cats in cages. Eventually, we noticed one consistent pattern: Many cats at adoption events were often stressed, even when they resided within the in-store adoption centers. They lived six peaceful days in foster care and then endured that one day of mayhem at an adoption event.
They were removed from the comfort of their foster homes, placed into carriers, taken on road trips, inserted into cages on tables in a pet store with bright lights, barking dogs and other noise, plus people trying to interact with them. Often, their personalities would simply collapse as the adoption team would try to convince a potential adopter that the cat hiding under the blanket growling and hissing was really a sweet cat. Then the stress of the day would make some of them sick. There had to be a better way.
The cats were happy in their foster homes. Foster homes give them the structure they learn and trust and regular caretakers they love. Why not place cats in a public foster home where people could visit them? They'd have the structure they need and caretakers they trust. With the success and growth of cat cafes around the world, it just made sense to explore the cat cafe model, but with a different perspective. Our mission was not so much of giving people a great place to sit down with cats, but to give the cats a great place to meet wonderful people.
It took nearly 24 months to research, plan, meet officials, negotiate, and secure financing, but when the lease was signed, that preparation condensed down into three weeks of furious activity to build out the space, spend all that money ( and more), install systems, and introduce the cats to their new home. Also, because it made no sense to serve food and beverages with a food court nearby, we used a new name “The Charming Cat Corner” in the mall and often abbreviate that to "TC3." We opened on December 05, 2015 to enthusiastic visitors who found a relaxing environment where they could enjoy the company of cats and maybe take one home.
And the cats are so happy!
Bev Freed
The Charming Cat Corner came to fruition through the labor, guidance, and vision of Bev Freed.
Bev has filled many niches throughout her career. With a medical education in technology, she worked in laboratory medicine until she took on the task of operating a small research lab for a major teaching hospital in Pittsburgh. Returning to the university for additional education, she earned two more degrees; one in archaeology and chemistry and the other in media communications and journalism.
By the time she founded Kitty Save, a 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare organization, she had come to a career in web technologies and applied all her education to advancing Kitty Save and nurturing its kitties. Kitty Save provides the cats for The Charming Cat Corner, and kitten season is always a busy time for rescue, preparations, and adoptions.
Bev is a professional writer creating documents and online content for software users of a multinational company. She has also contributed a short story to a published anthology focused on cats, of course. She is a member of the Cat Writers Association.
She is also a breast cancer survivor and welcomes her sisters in pink.
In her spare time, she provides guidance and advice for others who own or hope to own their own cat cafes or lounges, ensuring that anyone who plans to open one understands the challenges and how to work around them and most importantly, how to avoid them in the first place. She also says that she's doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up.
Cathy showing Bev how her business
works…good stuff to know!
Bev with a foster kitten she called "Parrot Kitten" because he'd crash out alseep on her shoulder
Cathy King
The Charming Cat Corner would not have been possible without the support and expertise of Cathy King.
Cathy uses her project management, governance, and accounting skills to keep The Charming CatCorner on course. She applies her technical skills to maintain the camera, sales, and operations systems.
She is the moderating voice in our operations, never letting any situation take control. When it comes time to explore our options for our growth and future, Cathy's wisdom and prudence help us plan a rational strategy to do more, do it better, and do it with caution, care, and compassion.
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Originally from California, Cathy has been a long-time foster for Kitty Save in the Dallas area, rescuing cats and kittens from shelters, tending to their needs, playing with them, and presenting them for adoption.
She’s certainly adept at wrangling cats. She also uses her wit and ingenuity to dress up for Halloween and portray herself.
She’s certainly adept at wrangling cats. She also uses her wit and ingenuity to dress up for Halloween and portray herself.
Our Feline Ambassadors
Our feline ambassadors are our kitty "staff members" who represent all the cats in our care. Engaging their visitors in friendly and fun ways, they advocate for the other cats by just being themselves with their personalities and habits. It's as if they claimed their responsibilities here and had a mission. We recognized their confidence and character and have let them be who they are as our permanent residents. They are the best ambassadors for felines everywhere!
Jacinda
Jacinda took charge of The Charming Cat Corner from the moment she was brought in as a resident. It's as if she chose to be a permanent resident. She claimed her caretakers as her own, took possession of our space declaring it her domain. She loves visitors and has new experiences everyday with them, which keeps her stimulated, and she needs that. Jacinda knows that this is her home, we're her family, and that all who visit here come to worship her.
Jacinda likes baby strollers. The instant she sees one, she's in it. We always have to check strollers when they leave to make sure she's not hitching a ride. She now has her own mug and her own stroller!
Barcelona
The moment Barcelona came into The Charming Cat Corner, she wanted nothing to do with staying in the nursery until she was ready to see everything. She wanted to see it NOW. Not once did she falter. She climbed, explored, and sniffed everything, and after she was done with that, she started greeting people. When someone is alone, she makes her way that person to say "hello" in her own way -- she sits in the person's lap. Won and done. We chose her to be a companion to Jacinda. She has her own mug, too!
