The Black Cat Market

"I’m a cat lady through and through, so I have very high standards for how they’re cared for. It’s clear that Black Cat Market is motivated by a deep love and respect for cats, and not by profit. The cat room is large and well maintained. A calm atmosphere is top priority, so they cap the number of visitors each hour. There are tons of toys to play with, scratch pads, cat trees, windows to look out of, and places for the cats to hide away and relax. The staff go to great lengths to make sure the cats are happy, healthy, clean, and comfortable. They know their needs and personalities well, so you can be sure to find a companion that fits your lifestyle. I adopted my sweet cat (pictured below) from Black Cat Market in January! The application process was straightforward, yet thorough and professional. They were happy to answer any questions I had. The fee was very reasonable, with multiple options to pay including Venmo. Upon pickup, I was given a folder with medical records, proof of vaccination and spaying, and instructions for activating my her microchip which I really appreciated. In addition to a bunch of cute, adoptable cats, Black Cat Market hosts gatherings and BYOB craft nights and sells a variety of gifts and cat products. They also support important initiatives in the East End (and beyond). There is even a library of free children’s books which was so wonderful to see. This is an organization I feel really good about supporting. Highly recommend a visit. ❤️"

"This cat cafe is amazing! I visited 4 years ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about since. I recently visited two days ago and they added so much more to the place! These cats are so loved and taken such good care of! You HAVE to visit!"

"I have come here many times over the last year and never had a bad experience. Cat cafes involve a large number of animals living in a single area, and with that taken into consideration, the smell is reasonable. There are two bathrooms that are always clean and well-stocked. The check in process is smooth, and the reservation system is easy to navigate and doesn't require a deposit, so people can pay in cash. The cost of a visit is affordable, and the options for frequent visitor passes are even more so. I have always been happy with the number of other visitors in the room at the same time--it feels like the occupancy limits are logical, and they are enforced. It's never so crowded that the cats seem stressed or that I leave feeling like I didn't really get to interact with a cat because there was a crowd or something. Highly recommend! Also, I've attended an event (a paint night) and it was well-run and worth the price."

"This is a secure, accessible, and friendly cat cafe with excellent management, cat-centered protocols, and opportunities for adoption. There’s also a nifty-gifty shop up front with fun clothes, kid-friendly products, and pleasant hand-crafted products. It’s good to make an appointment first, as it’s a busy and popular spot. A half-hour session with the cats is $7 per person. The cat room is full of kittens and cats of all kinds, and a few other cat lovers who are generally pretty gentle and friendly. We had a blast and almost adopted a cat even though we have five already (!). I can’t say enough about the responsible, approachable, and knowledgeable staff on site. We learned they placed over 700 cats with families over the last five years. We really wish we lived closer to this fun and friendly cat world."

"I was disappointed there was no "cafe" in this cat cafe. Ultimately we were there mostly to pet and play with kitties, but we also chose to go at a time where we would have normally had an afternoon drink or snack, so it was disappointing. However everything else about this place is really great. It seems community focused (they have free books that have been donated for anyone to take) and it's obvious they care about finding safe and healthy homes for the cats who come through. It does smell like cats live there (because duh) but it's kept clean and I was surprised how little cat hair came home on our clothes. We'll be back (with our own beverages next time, but I do hope they get the cafe going at some point)."