By: Kate Michael
One of the hottest weekend tickets in Georgetown was an invitation to cuddle with kittens. Heeding the call via word of mouth, Facebook — and for at least one guest, an online chat session — cat lovers of all ages lined up to have some precious moments with the most fragile of felines.
Crumbs & Whiskers, a cat café with locations in DC and Los Angeles, held a summer kitten cuddling party on Friday night. The café served patrons coffee, tea, and pastries while they were surrounded by lovable furballs. Guests were invited simply to play with and snuggle some 20 to 30 kittens, all about 10 to 12 weeks old.
“These cuddling parties happen more often in kitten season,” said Lead Host Hannah Ruth Wellons, as eager cuddlers rushed to grab a coveted seat and a snuggle. “It’s always a full house.”
The goals of the event are many. First, cuddle parties raise awareness for kitten season, a time throughout the summer when shelters often have more homeless kittens than they have room to board.
“It also helps the kittens learn to socialize, which will ultimately help them to find new homes,” Wellons explained.
It isn’t possible to say exactly how many kittens may have found homes as a direct result of these parties. But many guests admitted they were attending with hope of falling in love with the right kitten and making him or her a new member of the family.
Enticing the kittens with teaser toys, soft blankets and pillows to perch upon, party guests had a therapeutic experience while also filling the room with excitement and hope.
Dedicated to rescuing cats, helping to end euthanasia and assisting with cat adoption, Crumbs & Whiskers works to raise money for kitten supplies, educate about fostering, and assist in adoptions. In addition, a portion of the profits from Friday night’s event will be donated to a local partner rescue shelter.
According to Crumbs & Whiskers, the cat café has helped over 720 cats find their forever homes, and it saved over 1,500 cats from euthanasia.
