Humane Society of Huron Valley to open Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center
Saturday, August 15, 2015
By: Wendy Welch
Soon, cat lovers in Washtenaw County will have more room to roam. And roar.
Ann Arbor, MI (August 13, 2015) -
Soon, cat lovers in Washtenaw County will have more room to roam. And
roar.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) will be opening a cat café this
winter. The Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center does not yet have a
location, but the goal is clear: to find more homes for homeless cats, to
promote the human/animal bond, and continue to build a more compassionate world
for our feline friends.
Though
new to Michigan, cat cafés -- coffee shops with cats roaming about -- have
existed since 1998,
when the first one opened in Taiwan. Since then, nearly 150 of them have opened
in Japan,
and in 2014,
"catfés" started popping up in the United States.
"We are delighted to see the popularity of the model continue to grow and
feel this is a spectacular opportunity for homeless cats," says Tanya
Hilgendorf, HSHV's President & CEO. "HSHV has a proud 120-year
history of animal protection and a ten-year track record of providing
innovative, award-winning services, propelled by passion, high performance and
a state-of-the-art facility. Our success has allowed us to have the highest
save rate in the state and to be a model of best practices and customer
service. In particular, HSHV has had outstanding success saving the lives
of cats in ways much of the rest of the shelter world is still
struggling."
"This new, exciting venture is another step in using creative, bold
strategies to meet our mission. The café’s relaxed, open atmosphere will give
folks a chance to consider adoption, or if they can't adopt or have their own
pets, to just enjoy their comforting companionship. Cats are very
therapeutic, and our bond with them is undeniable. It also allows us
space to expand our humane education programming aimed at teaching respect and
compassion, and to demonstrate new ways to help our feline friends,"
Hilgendorf says.
Cat cafés use a variety of business models--- from profit to nonprofit, from
food service to hourly entrance fees, from resident cats to rescue ones. HSHV's
café, like its parent humane society, will be a nonprofit organization,
assisted largely by volunteers enthusiastic about finding forever homes for
cats. Support will be tax-deductible, and fees from patrons will help
cover operating costs, including care for the cats until they're adopted.
"We will likely offer some light refreshments, but we aren't looking to
compete with the many fine coffee merchants in town," says Hilgendorf.
"Our focus is on what we do best: creating a better world for
animals in need."
"We
always want to save more animals and do more for our community, but we've
literally run out of room," says HSHV's Board Chair, Sharon Rothwell.
"We take in over 3,000 unwanted, abused and abandoned cats in our shelter
each year. We are in need of more open, free-roaming space to help them
thrive. And cats aren't the only ones demanding this. In addition to providing
an opportunity for adults to interact with -- and possibly adopt -- our cats,
we will provide supervised, scheduled opportunities for young people as well.
Local parents have been asking us to offer more children's programs, but
we simply haven't had the room. A cat café came up as a unique solution for an
expansion that fits our mission and is a fun way to get the community more
involved in animal welfare."
Although this has been in discussion for well over a year, Rothwell says HSHV's
board of directors and staff proceeded cautiously, wanting to complete some obligations
related to the construction of HSHV's current facility before expanding.
"None of our success is possible without our generous supporters, and we
hope the community will step forward and embrace this unique venture as
well," Rothwell says.
HSHV plans to launch a "Read to Cats" after-school program for youth,
in addition to using the café space for kids' animal story time and some quiet,
cat-themed birthday celebrations.
People interested in the café status can sign up for notification at www.tinylions.org.
"Furry financiers" interested in helping the Tiny Lions Lounge
and Adoption Center become a reality can contact HSHV's Development Department
at 734-661-3573 or email development@hshv.org.
About The Humane Society of Huron Valley:
The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent
501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our
supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an
award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest
animal "save-rate" among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity
Navigator, the nation's top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking,
the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible
care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other
humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. For more
information, call (734) 662-5585 or visit www.hshv.org.
LOVE STARTS HERE!
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