Pandemic or not, Kelli Steward of Gatos and Beans wants cats to find a home.
Steward, co-owner of Birmingham’s first cat café and former Big Pitch finalist, is using social media to spread the word that the cats housed there are still adoptable, even if Gatos and Beans’ doors are temporarily closed because of the pandemic.
So far, it’s worked. There have been five adoptions since the café closed its doors last month, according to Steward. People looking to adopt can fill out paperwork to be pre-approved and visit the cool cats and kittens hanging out there.
“My favorite thing in the world is to watch the adoption process happen, to watch people fall in love,” she said. “It’s just such a nice feeling to put people together with pets and know that these pets came from a place that wasn’t so good for them and now they’re going someplace that’s going to fantastic for them. They’re going to be loved forever.”
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She and the café’s full-time employee take turns checking in on the cats and cleaning during the week. Fans of the café have also donated food, money and other things needed to maintain the felines.
“For me, I think the biggest thing that gives me hope is that the public has been supportive,” she said. “The cat people of Birmingham want to see us back open.”
Steward said even though the business had to push pause, she’s optimistic about the future.
“I think everybody’s trying to do their part as far as eating locally,” she said. “I see posts on Facebook every day about where people a buying dinner from to keep supporting everybody. I think that as a community we’re doing a good job of that. Hang in there…it’s going to be okay one way or the other.”
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