PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A new cat cafe is operating in Panama City Beach, helping stray cats find homes.
Central Purr offers more than coffee. The cafe provides a space where stray cats can meet potential families in a home-like setting.
“The feral cat issue in Panama City Beach has been an ongoing issue for years, so we really thought the public needs a place where they can go learn about cat care,” said Linda Burgess, operations manager for Central Purr.
The cafe allows the cats to live outside of cages while they wait for adoption.
“It gives the cats an opportunity to exist in this home-like setting outside of a cage while they are waiting to find their forever home, and it’s also great space for people to come and de-stress,” Burgess said.
Organizers say visitors are welcome even if they are not looking to adopt.
“Cats are known, scientifically known to reduce stress, anxiety, help with mental health. We have people message us all the time and say I had a really hard day can I just swing by the cafe for an hour,” Burgess said.
Volunteers say the cafe helps cats adjust to people.
“To see a cat come into our intake facility terrified, hissing, and spitting to go to a super big love bug once they hit the cafe floor, it really gives them the opportunity to connect with people outside of a usually very stressful situation for them,” Burgess said.
Since opening, the cafe has seen many adoptions. Every dollar the cafe makes goes back into helping cats through adoption efforts.
Central Purr is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A grand opening is set for May 9. The cafe is looking for volunteers.
Central Purr | Cat Cafe in PCB | 7113 U.S. 98, Panama City Beach, FL, USA
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