Snuggles And Shopping? Mini Cat Town Kitten Lounge Opens In Stoneridge

PLEASANTON, CA — Cat cafes have caught on internationally, but when will someone bring a convenient way to play with kitties to the Tri-Valley?

Now. The time is now.

Mini Cat Town, which calls itself a "kitten lounge and adoption center," is open in Stoneridge Shopping Center and is ready for guests to interact with the felines.

The lounge describes itself like this.

"Mini Cat Town is the first kitten lounge in a shopping center. By combining the exposure of a shopping center with animal rescue, we hope to build a sustainable future and save more kittens!"

The shopping center tweeted about the opening with some pretty adorable kitty photos that will make anyone want to visit immediately. "Mini Cat Town adds a unique addition to our current retail mix, and it helps us enhance and evolve not only the center but our overall community to come together and help create a home," wrote Jessica Carberry, the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Stoneridge Shopping Center, in a statement to Patch by email.

A nonprofit organization run by three sisters — Thi Bui, Thoa Bui and Tram Bui — operates the lounge and its older location in the Eastridge Center in San Jose.

Be sure to get there early; admissions are on a walk-in basis and last only 30 minutes because of the pandemic, and there's usually a waitlist by 2 p.m. on the weekends, according to the lounge's website.

Children 12 years and older may enter without a parent.

Admission rates are $15 for everyone 12 years and up. Admission is $10 for children. You can pay by card or Apple Pay.

Mini Cat Town explained the reason for the fee: "It is a unique experience and the admission price helps Mini Cat Town rescue more kittens!"

Before entering, visitors must sign a waiver, read and agree to follow all rules and slip on shoe covers.

The rules are clear: Be respectful and careful with the cats. The cats are not toys, the rules added, in case anyone was confused on that.

Ultimately, "guests that are unable to follow safety rules will be asked to leave. There are no refunds for bad behavior." Seems fair.

Volunteer options are available to help care for the kittens or interact with guests and potential adopters. The nonprofit also needs volunteer to help with off-site fundraising and adoption events. More details about volunteering can be found here.

The nonprofit also accepts donations in many forms, including from wish lists. Find all donation information here.

All of the cats need homes, and adoption information can also be found here, including fees and the required process.

The nonprofit cautioned that it will not release bonded pairs of cats separately and does not allow walk-in or same-day adoptions.

Special needs, if any, will also be listed in a cat's description. More information on available kittens is available here.

Follow the lounge and adoption center on Instagram for all the cutest updates.

• Mini Cat Town kitten lounge and adoption center.
• Stoneridge Shopping Center, 1 Stoneridge Mall Road, Space D122A, Pleasanton.
• Hours:
  • Monday to Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SEE MORE: 4 Of The Best Tri-Valley Animal Shelters To Adopt, Volunteer, Donate | Dublin, CA Patch