But at The Cozy Catfe, $20 can be part of something much bigger. Because caring for rescued cats isn’t just about the big, dramatic expenses.

It’s also about all the little things. The things that happen every single day: Food bowls that need to be filled, water that needs to be refreshed, litter boxes that need to be scooped, cleaning supplies that need to be replaced, medications that need to be given, cats who need veterinary care, and, of course, plenty of toys, and cozy places to sleep. Those things add up quickly.

When one person gives $20, it might seem like a small contribution. But when another person gives $20... And another... And another...

Something amazing happens. Twenty dollars becomes $40. Then $100. Then $500. Then thousands of dollars that can help us continue rescuing cats who need a safe place to land. That’s the power of a community coming together.

At The Cozy Catfe, we’ve now helped more than 500 cats find their forever homes. But behind every one of those adoptions was a lot of work: A scared cat needed a safe place to decompress, a hungry cat needed food, a sick cat needed veterinary care, a shy cat needed patience and time. And every single cat needed people who believed they were worth saving. That’s where you come in.

North Texas Giving Day Is Coming!

The official North Texas Giving Day is September 17, but early giving is already underway! If you’re able to give, we hope you’ll consider making a $20 donation to The Cozy Catfe. And if $20 isn’t possible right now, that’s okay too.

Every donation makes a difference. Every dollar helps. And sharing our fundraiser with someone who loves cats can make a difference, too. Because rescue isn’t made possible by one person doing everything.

It’s made possible by a whole community of people doing what they can. Maybe for you, that’s $20. And maybe that $20 helps us provide food, litter, medical care, cleaning supplies, and a safe, comfortable place for another cat waiting for their forever home.

So, what can $20 do? It can be part of a second chance. It can help a scared cat feel safe. It can help us say yes to the next cat who needs us. And when we all come together... $20 can become something pretty amazing. 💛🐾

Ready to Make a Difference?

Early giving for North Texas Giving Day is happening now, and the official Giving Day is September 17.

Thank you for supporting The Cozy Catfe, our mission, and most importantly—the cats who are still waiting for their happy endings.

🐱 $20 may feel small. But together, small acts of kindness can change lives.

Text “TheCozyCatfe” to 844-844-6844 now to donate.

or go to: https://mtyc.co/crqs1f

You’re about to discover what it’s like to have a tiny roommate who may or may not respect your personal space, believes your furniture belongs to them, and somehow knows exactly when you’re trying to sleep.

But before you bring your new best friend home, there are a few things we wish every first-time cat adopter knew.

1. Give Them Time to Adjust

Your new cat may not immediately act like the cat you met at the Catfe. And that’s okay!

Going from a shelter or the Catfe to a brand-new home is a BIG change. There are new smells, new sounds, new people, new rooms, and a completely different routine. Some cats will walk through the front door like they own the place. Others will hide under the bed and silently question every decision that led them there. Both are normal.

Give your new cat time to decompress and explore at their own pace. Don’t worry if they aren’t immediately cuddling with you. The best relationships aren’t always built in a day.

2. Your Cat’s Personality May Surprise You

The cat you met at the Catfe might behave differently once they’re home. A shy cat may become a total cuddlebug. A confident cat may suddenly decide the couch is terrifying. A quiet cat might discover their voice at 2 a.m.

That’s because cats don’t always show their full personalities in an unfamiliar environment. Give them time to settle in, and you may discover an entirely different side of your new companion. Sometimes the best parts are the surprises.

3. Don’t Force the Relationship

We know. You just adopted a cat and you are SO excited to love them. You want to pick them up. You want to cuddle them. You want approximately 47 pictures of them sleeping on your lap.

But your cat may have other plans. Let your cat come to you. Sit nearby. Talk to them. Offer treats. Play with them. Let them sniff you. If they walk away, let them.

Trust is built when your cat learns that you will respect their boundaries. And when that formerly shy cat eventually climbs into your lap all on their own? It’s pretty magical.

4. Cats Need More Than Food and a Litter Box

Yes, your cat needs food, water, and a clean litter box. But they also need enrichment!

Give them places to climb, scratch, hide, explore, and play. Rotate toys. Offer window views. Give them cozy places to nap. And don’t underestimate the value of playtime. A few minutes of interactive play can provide exercise, mental stimulation, and an opportunity for you to bond with your new cat.

You don’t need to turn your house into a feline amusement park. Although we’re not going to judge you if you do.

5. Your Cat Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

This might be the most important one. Your new cat may have quirks. They might be shy. They might take a while to trust you. They might wake you up at 4 a.m. They might be terrified of the vacuum but completely fearless when attacking a cardboard box. They may have habits you weren’t expecting. That’s part of getting to know them.

Adopting a cat isn’t about finding a perfect animal that immediately fits perfectly into your life. It’s about building a relationship. It’s watching them slowly become comfortable. It’s learning their favorite toys, their weird little habits, and the exact spot behind their ears that makes them melt.

And one day, you’ll look over and realize: This cat isn’t just the cat you adopted. They’re family.

One Last Piece of Advice...

Don’t give up on them too quickly.

We’ve watched cats arrive at The Cozy Catfe scared, shy, or unsure of people and then completely transform with patience, love, and time. The cat you bring home on Day 1 may not be the same cat you know six months later.

Give them the chance to show you who they are. You might be surprised by just how amazing your new best friend turns out to be.

And if you ever have questions along the way, remember that you’re not alone. The rescue community is full of people who understand that sometimes living with a cat means accepting that you no longer have a bathroom door that closes.

Welcome to cat ownership.

That was Jude.

Before Jude came to The Cozy Catfe, we knew very little about his past. He had been left in a box overnight outside a local shelter. Whatever had happened to him before that, we don’t know. But when he arrived at the Catfe, one thing was very clear:

Jude was terrified.

He would cower in fear when someone reached toward him. He hid frequently and wanted very little to do with human hands. For a cat surrounded by new people, new smells, new cats, and a completely unfamiliar environment, the world must have felt like a very scary place.

So we gave him time. And then we gave him more time. There wasn’t a magic moment when Jude suddenly decided, “Okay, humans are great!” It happened slowly. Very slowly. A little less hiding. A little more exploring. A little more curiosity.

Eventually, Jude began venturing out of his hiding spots and spending more time around the other cats. And along the way, he made two very special friends: Fred and George.

Having feline friends seemed to help him feel more comfortable. He began to play, explore, and show us little glimpses of the personality that had been hiding underneath all that fear.

And then there was me. I had completely fallen in love with this strange little guy with his thumbs and his adorable short, stubby tail. But I think there was something else that made Jude especially special to me.

I had been there for so much of his journey. I had watched him go from a terrified cat who would cower from hands to a cat who was slowly learning that people could be kind. I felt like I had played a small part in helping him find his confidence.

And somewhere along the way, I realized something: I didn’t just want to help Jude find a home. I wanted to be his home.

So I adopted him. That was a couple of years ago now. And today? Jude is a completely different cat. He’s happy. He’s comfortable. He’s playful. And, best of all, he cuddles with me.

The same little cat who once hid from human hands now seeks out affection from his person. And every once in a while, when Jude is curled up next to me, I think about that scared little cat hiding at the Catfe.

I wish I could go back and tell him: “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. You’re going home.”

Jude’s story is one of the reasons we believe so strongly in giving cats time. Not every cat is going to walk into The Cozy Catfe and immediately greet visitors. Some need days. Some need weeks. Some need months.

And sometimes, underneath all that fear is a funny, loving, wonderful cat who just needs someone to believe in them.

Jude was worth the wait. He was worth the patience. And he was worth giving him the time he needed to become the cat he was always meant to be.

I’m incredibly lucky that I got to watch that transformation, and even luckier that I get to call him my baby today. 💛🐱 Sometimes the cat hiding in the corner isn’t the cat who needs to be passed by.

Sometimes he’s the one waiting for someone to give him a chance.

He even cuddles sometimes with his annoying little brother, Nuglet!

Of course, participating in a parade means we needed a float. And once again, our amazing volunteer Vanessa worked her magic. She designed and created our float, and she did an absolutely incredible job. From the details to the overall design, she helped create a float that proudly represented The Cozy Catfe and our mission of rescuing cats and helping them find loving homes.

Then came parade day. And it was hot. Very hot….. The kind of hot where you start questioning every life decision that led you to willingly walk outside in Texas in July.

But our amazing volunteers showed up anyway! We had a wonderful group of volunteers walk with us in the parade, representing The Cozy Catfe and sharing our love of cats with the Arlington community.

There were smiles, waves, cheers, and lots of sweating. So. Much. Sweating. But it was absolutely worth it. After the parade was over, we waited to find out whether we had won an award this year.

Last year, we were incredibly proud to win 1st Place in our category. So, we were thrilled just to be back again this year. But then came the news...

WE WON THE DIRECTOR’S AWARD! 🏆🎉

The Director’s Award is one of the five major awards given across all categories of the parade, making this an even bigger recognition than our first-place category win last year. We were absolutely thrilled!

Vanessa and Nicole represented The Cozy Catfe at the awards ceremony, where they accepted this incredible honor on behalf of our entire organization and all of our amazing volunteers.

This award belongs to so many people. It belongs to Vanessa, who once again poured her creativity, time, and talent into creating an incredible float. It belongs to Nicole and everyone who helped represent us at the awards ceremony. It belongs to every volunteer who showed up, walked in the heat, helped with the parade, and proudly represented The Cozy Catfe. And it belongs to the entire Cozy Catfe community.

We are so grateful to be part of the Arlington community and to have the opportunity to share our mission with so many people. The day may have been hot. We may have been exhausted. We may have consumed an unreasonable amount of water. But we also walked away with an incredible memory, and a very special award.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s parade so special. And a huge congratulations to our amazing volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without you. 🐾

And we understand! For many people, adopting one cat feels like the obvious choice. But every once in a while, two cats come along who simply belong together. These are what we call bonded pairs.

They might be siblings, or they might have grown up together. Or they may have formed an incredibly close friendship through life’s ups and downs. Whatever brought them together, one thing is certain: they’ve chosen each other.

If you’ve ever watched a bonded pair, you know there’s something special about their relationship. They eat together, nap together, groom each other, play together, and often look for one another if they’re separated, even for a few minutes.

They’re more than just roommates…. they’re family. That’s why, when bonded pairs come to The Cozy Catfe, we make a promise to keep them together. We know that can make finding the perfect home a little more challenging. Adopting two cats is a bigger commitment than adopting one.

But here’s a little secret... Two cats are often easier than one.

They keep each other company while you’re at work. They play together, which means they’re less likely to get bored. When they’re adjusting to a new home, they already have their best friend by their side. And you’ll never have to wonder if your cat is lonely because they have each other.

Right now, we have two wonderful bonded pairs waiting for their forever homes.

Michael & Jackson are gorgeous fluffy brothers who have been with us for quite some time. Jackson is the social butterfly of the two. He’s outgoing, curious, and always ready to say hello. Michael is much more reserved. He’s a shy boy who takes a little longer to warm up, but he finds comfort knowing his brother is always nearby. Watching Jackson quietly encourage Michael is one of the sweetest things you’ll ever see.

Michael in the front and Jackson in the back

Then there’s Betsy & Rosie, two adorable black and white sisters with hearts just as beautiful as their matching coats. These sweet girls love being together, and they share the kind of quiet bond that reminds us why keeping bonded pairs together is so important.

Rosie

Betsy

Every day, we watch these cats comfort each other, play together, and remind us that love doesn’t always come one at a time. Sometimes it comes in pairs!

If you’ve been thinking about adopting, we hope you’ll consider opening your heart to one of these amazing duos. You’ll be giving two deserving cats a forever home, but you’ll also be bringing home twice the purrs, twice the cuddles, and twice the love.

And honestly? We think that’s a pretty great deal.

Then, someone gently places you into a cardboard carrier. You don’t know it yet, but your life is about to change. Welcome to your first day at The Cozy Catfe.

Every cat arrives with a different story. Some have had loving homes before, while some have spent weeks in a shelter. Others have had a much harder journey.

No matter where they’ve come from, our goal is the same: to help them feel safe. The first stop isn’t the main cat lounge. Instead, every new arrival gets their own quiet room. Think of it as their own little bedroom for a bit.

And every cat reacts differently. Some burst out of their carrier, ready to investigate every corner of the room as if they’ve lived there forever. Others cautiously peek outside before deciding that the safest place is back inside the carrier. Some march confidently up to greet us. Others disappear behind a bed or curl up in the tiniest hiding spot they can find.

Neither reaction is right or wrong. They’re just figuring out this brand new world. Imagine all the new smells: the scent of dozens of other cats, fresh blankets, a new kind of food, litter, cleaning supplies, new people. It’s a lot to take in, so we let them go at their own pace.

We close that room off to visitors so there’s no pressure to meet new people right away. For the first day or two, only our volunteers go in to check on them, clean, feed them, and spend a little quiet time with them. It’s their chance to simply... breathe and decompress.

During those first couple of days, we’re watching closely. Are they eating? Are they drinking? Have they used the litter box? Do they seem curious? Are they beginning to relax?

Sometimes the biggest victory is seeing an empty food bowl or finding evidence that they’ve finally used the litter box. Those little milestones tell us they’re starting to feel a bit more comfortable. Eventually, something wonderful begins to happen. The scared cat who was hiding starts peeking out when a volunteer walks in. The nervous cat accepts a few gentle pets. The curious cat begins playing with a toy. Little by little, their personality starts to shine through. And that’s when we know they’re getting ready for the next step: meeting our guests.

One of the greatest joys of rescue is watching this transformation. The frightened shelter cat who arrived unsure of everything slowly becomes the confident, playful, affectionate cat who steals someone’s heart. It doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it takes days or even weeks. But every cat deserves that time because behind every happy adoption photo is a first day that looked very different.

A cardboard carrier. A quiet room. A fresh start. And the hope that this time, they’re finally on their way home…

Just a couple of weeks ago, we welcomed a sweet, gentle girl named Marley to The Cozy Catfe after rescuing her from the Arlington Animal Shelter.

At around six years old, Marley is the kind of cat who quietly steals your heart. She’s affectionate, calm, and has the sweetest little face. We were so excited to help her begin the next chapter of her life and find the loving home she deserves.

But shortly after she arrived, we noticed something wasn’t quite right.

Marley was straining to use the litter box, so we immediately scheduled a visit to the veterinarian. Yesterday, she was examined, and while we’re hopeful she simply has a urinary tract infection that can be treated, we also received unexpected news.

The veterinarian detected a heart murmur. As you can imagine, our hearts sank.

We completed bloodwork, and we’re currently waiting for the results. Depending on what we learn, Marley will likely need additional veterinary visits to better understand what’s happening with her heart. She may also need medication and ongoing care.

Right now, there are still many unanswered questions. What we do know is this: Marley deserves every chance to feel better.

When we rescue cats, we know some will need more than food, a warm bed, and lots of love. Some arrive with medical conditions we couldn’t have anticipated. We never want finances to determine whether a cat receives the care they need, so when one of our cats is hurting, we do everything we can to help.

Unfortunately, that care comes at a cost. Between her examination, diagnostics, bloodwork, and the possibility of additional testing and treatment, Marley’s veterinary expenses are already adding up, and we know there may be more ahead.

That’s why we’ve started a GoFundMe to help cover her medical care.

Click here to go to the GoFundMe for Marley!

If you’re able to contribute, no matter the amount, you’ll be helping Marley receive the treatment she needs. And if donating isn’t possible right now, simply sharing her story with others is another meaningful way to help.

Marley doesn’t know how many people are already rooting for her. She only knows that she’s finally somewhere safe, surrounded by people who care.

We’re committed to giving her the best care we can, and we’re hopeful that, with your support, she’ll soon be feeling better and back to enjoying all the naps, treats, and love she deserves.

Thank you for keeping Marley in your thoughts, for cheering her on, and for helping us give this sweet girl the second chance she’s waited so patiently for.

With gratitude,

The Cozy Catfe Rescue Team 🐾💛

However, before we open our doors each morning, there’s a whole lot happening behind the scenes. And it all starts with our most important task:

🐱 The Kitty Count

Before anything else, we conduct a head count to make sure every cat is present and accounted for.

Sounds simple, right?

Except cats have a remarkable ability to disappear into places that should not physically be able to contain a cat. Under blankets. Behind furniture. Inside cabinets. Beneath cat trees. Inside a bed that already appears occupied by another cat.

It’s basically a daily game of feline hide-and-seek.

Once every kitty has been located and confirmed alive, well, and probably judging us, the real work begins.

🚽 The Scoop Olympics

Next comes litter box duty. We scoop a lot of litter boxes. A lot.

Let’s just say that every adoption photo you see is made possible by someone who spent quality time with a scoop earlier that day.

It’s not glamorous, but it is one of the most important jobs we do.

Even tiny kitties like Rory sure can create a lot of poop!

🧹 The Great Cleaning Marathon

If you’ve visited The Cozy Catfe, you know our building is huge.

You know who else knows our building is huge?

The volunteers pushing the vacuum. Every. Single. Morning.

The floors get vacuumed, fur gets removed, and approximately 37 pounds of litter gets swept up from places that seem scientifically impossible.

We’re still not entirely sure how litter travels as far as it does. This is the kitties’ least favorite time of day. They are not huge fans of the evil kitty-sucker-upper!

The floors have got to be clean, especially for kitty yoga days!

🍽️ Breakfast Service

Once the cleaning is underway, it’s time to take care of the cats’ dining needs.

Every food bowl gets collected and replaced with a clean one. Fresh dry food is set out.

Water bowls are swapped for clean bowls and filled with fresh water. Our self-watering units and fountains are cleaned, refilled, and put back out.

The cats supervise this process very closely. By “supervise,” we mean they stand exactly where we’re trying to work and stare at us until breakfast arrives.

💊 The VIP Medical Team

Some of our cats require medications, so we make sure everyone who needs them receives their morning meds.

This can involve bribery, negotiation, creative problem solving, and occasionally questioning our life choices.

Fortunately, the cats usually forgive us. Usually….

Sweet Sammi appreciates all the hard work our volunteers and staff do!

🗑️ Taking Out the Trash

By this point, we’ve accumulated quite a collection of trash bags from cleaning, scooping, and replacing supplies.

Everything gets gathered up and hauled outside on our handy wagon to the far away dumpster.

It’s a workout program we never knew we signed up for.

🧼 Getting Ready for Guests

Before opening, we also make sure the human side of the Catfe is ready.

Bathrooms get cleaned. Soap gets checked. Paper towels get restocked. Toilet paper gets replenished.

Hard surfaces get wiped down and sanitized.

The whiteboard gets updated with anything new that volunteers and staff need to know.

Basically, we try to make everything look like we have our lives together.

Just hanging out, waiting for the first guests to arrive!

☕ Then We Open

By the time the doors open, we’ve already spent hours cleaning, scooping, feeding, counting, sanitizing, organizing, medicating, vacuuming, and preparing for the day ahead.

Most guests never see all of that work. And that’s okay. Because when they walk in and see happy cats lounging in a clean, comfortable environment, that means we’ve done our job.

So the next time you visit The Cozy Catfe and think, “Wow, this place is so nice!”

Just remember: Someone probably vacuumed that exact spot ten minutes ago.

And somewhere nearby, a cat is already working hard to undo it. 🐾

River baby, enjoying the Cozy moments…

We had tons of local vendors who had amazing homemade crafts and treats for sale. From jewelry, to soap, candles, dirty soda, cookies, and everything in between. Our food truck had the best tacos!

If there was one thing everyone could agree on at this year’s Catapalooza, it was this: It was HOT. But despite the Texas heat, Catapalooza was an incredible success, and we’re so grateful to everyone who came out to support The Cozy Catfe.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed live music from talented local musicians, shopped with an amazing variety of local vendors, grabbed a bite to eat from our food truck, and of course spent time with our feline residents.

For just $10, visitors were able to come inside and enjoy 30 minute visits with the cats, giving many people their first opportunity to experience the Catfe and meet some of our adoptable kitties.

One of our favorite things about Catapalooza is seeing our community come together. Friends met up to shop, families stopped by to spend time with the cats, and local businesses came together to support animal rescue right here in Arlington.

Events like this don’t happen without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our vendors, musicians, volunteers, supporters, and guests who helped make the day such a success. Whether you spent the day helping set up, performed music, sold your products, visited the cats, or simply stopped by to say hello, you played a part in making Catapalooza special.

Most importantly, every dollar raised helps support our mission of rescuing cats from local shelters and providing them with a safe, comfortable place to stay while they wait for their forever homes.

By the end of the day, we were tired, sweaty, and ready for some air conditioning, but our hearts were full. Thank you to everyone who braved the heat and spent part of your day with us. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.

Until then, we'll be inside with the cats, enjoying the air conditioning they definitely deserve. And if you missed it, that’s ok. You can stop in any day and hang out with our sweet, rescue kitties right here at The Cozy Catfe (in the air conditioning of course).

My own Nuggy baby at home enjoying his kitty kicker from Katnyx

Today, we’re incredibly proud to share that we have officially reached 500 adoptions.

Five hundred cats who found families. Five hundred second chances. Five hundred happy endings.

Brother Marlon and Randy were lucky numbers 499 and 500!

As exciting as this milestone is, it isn’t really about a number. It’s about the scared shelter cat who finally learned to trust people again. It’s about the shy cat who spent weeks hiding before finding the perfect person willing to be patient. It’s about the senior cat who got a second chance when so many overlooked them. It’s about every cat who walked through our doors and left with a family of their own.

This milestone would not have been possible without the amazing community that has supported us over the years.

To our volunteers: Thank you for the countless hours spent scooping litter boxes, cleaning, feeding, fundraising, organizing events, and loving our cats as if they were your own. Your dedication keeps this rescue running every single day.

To our adopters: Thank you for opening your hearts and homes. Thank you for choosing rescue. Thank you for giving our cats the happy endings they deserve.

To our guests and supporters: Thank you for every visit, every donation, every share, every kind word, and every way you’ve helped spread our mission. Whether you’ve visited once or have been with us since the beginning, you’ve played a part in these 500 adoptions.

The kitties enjoying a celebratory feast.

And most importantly, thank you to the cats. They’ve made us laugh, cry, worry, celebrate, and occasionally question our sanity. They’ve reminded us why this work matters and why we’ll continue showing up for them every day.

500 adoptions is an incredible milestone, but we’re not done yet.

There are still cats waiting for their forever homes. Still lives to save. Still stories to write. Thank you for helping us reach 500.

Here’s to the next 500. 🐾💛

One minute they’re asleep in a tiny croissant shape… and the next they’re sprinting through the house at full speed because… a dust particle moved?

So today, we’re answering some of the most common “WHY do cats do that??” questions we hear at The Cozy Catfe.

Why do cats suddenly sprint around like maniacs at 2am?

Ah yes. The Midnight Zoomies.

Cats are natural hunters, and they tend to get bursts of energy, especially at dawn and dusk. Your cat isn’t trying to ruin your sleep schedule…vThey just suddenly remembered they are technically a predator.

If you’re very lucky, you will catch some Poppy zoomies at The Cozy Catfe. It is a rare, but majestic sight.

Not exactly Zoomies, but River can be quite silly sometimes!

Why do cats love boxes so much?

Because boxes make cats feel safe and protected.

Also because apparently we spend money on cat beds for no reason. When we get a good box from a delivery, we are sure to put it out in the cat lounge for a day or two for the kitties!

Bubbles in his safe space

Why does my cat stare at me like that?

Depends on the stare.

Slow blinking? Love.
Wide-eyed staring at 3am? Possibly ghosts.

“Staring contest, you and me….”- Catniss

Why do cats sit directly on laptops, books, or whatever you’re using?

Because your attention is there. Your cat sees you focusing on something and thinks:
“Interesting. This should be about me instead.”

In actuality, cats do something called behavioral and emotional mirroring. Despite the rumors that they are solitary creatures, they are actually highly social animals. They observe us often and mimic our routines, facial expressions, and emotions.

Why do cats knock things off tables?

Sometimes they’re curious. Sometimes they’re bored. Sometimes they simply want to watch the world burn.

Science is still investigating.

Why does my cat follow me into the bathroom?

Congratulations. You are now part of their colony.

Cats like knowing where their people are, and closed doors are deeply offensive to them. Privacy? Not in this house. That’s why the kitties at the catfe love to go in the “kitchen/staff break room” even when they know they’re not supposed to!

Why does my cat sleep ALL day?

Cats sleep anywhere from 12–16 hours a day.

Honestly? They’ve perfected life. If you come to the Cozy Catfe and all the kitties are sleeping, well… just know it’s part of who they are!

You will feel the wrath of Geri if you wake her up

Why do cats make biscuits?

Cats make biscuits, or knead, mostly as an instinctual behavior. It is comforting and is from their kittenhood. When kittens nurse, they press their paws against their mother’s belly to stimulate milk flow. Adult cats often continue to do it to self-sooth, show affection, and mark their territory.

Check out the Poppy biscuits:

Working with cats every day has taught us one important thing: No matter how strange they are… we love them anyway. Maybe even because they’re weird, just like us.

Tito was a little weird

And honestly, the cats at The Cozy Catfe keep us entertained constantly.

There is always:

• at least one cat following you around as you open in the morning

• one cat making questionable decisions (like climbing the wall and not always knowing how to get down)

• and one cat asleep in a position that cannot possibly be comfortable

We wouldn’t have it any other way…

We don’t know why Sammi does this, but it sure is cute!

As you can see in the picture, Cinco came in with a tattered ear. We were not sure why. Maybe a fight. Maybe an injury. We never get the full story of our rescue kitties’ past, whether they were a stray that was picked up by the shelter or if they were an owner surrender.

Cinco loved to stay up high on the catwalks, away from all the volunteers and guests. That was his safe space for a long time. Just watching…

But slowly, he began to trust us, especially Brandie (our owner and president). She would come in and call his name and he would come down off his perch to greet her. He loved her so much! They really had a special bond together.

Over the course of several months, Cinco began to spend more time down off of the catwalks. However, he would still run from most people if they tried to pet him. He still did not trust everyone.

We felt him becoming braver and braver in his last couple months at the cafe. I even got to pet him when he would floop down on the ground and relax… finally! We could sense that he knew that his family was coming for him soon!

A family came in several times and fell in love with several kitties, but unfortunately for them, those kitties were always already pending adoption with another family. But Cinco stuck in the mom's mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about Cinco…. They came in again and Cinco came right down to them from the catwalk!

During the adoption interview, we knew that Cinco had found his people. They knew how much patience they may need to have with him when he gets to his new home. It will probably take him quite a while to relax and feel at home in his new space. His family says they will do everything they can to make him feel welcome and comfortable, and give him the time he needs to adjust!

And here’s Cinco in his new home! We already got an update! He likes hiding out and feels safe in his little kitty cave. They gave him treats and he even sat in his new mom’s lap for a minute! I didn’t know he was a lap kitty!!!!

We will truly miss having our Cinco boy at The Cozy Catfe, but we know he is in good hands. It is always so hard for us when one of our long time residents gets adopted because we have grown so attached to the kitty! But, this is why we are here and moments like these are what keeps us going, seeing a shy, scared kitty blossom and find his people!

At The Cozy Catfe, everything we do is centered around one goal: Giving cats a safe space to land, especially the ones who are often overlooked. Many of the cats we take in are adults from overcrowded shelters. The ones who get passed by. The ones who run out of time. When they arrive here, they’re often scared, shut down, and unsure of what’s next. And then… things start to change. They get a clean, calm space. They get consistent care. They get time. They get love. And slowly, they start to come out of their shells.

But none of that happens without support. Donations help cover: vet care, food, litter, cleaning supplies, medical treatments, rent, electric bills, and everything it takes to keep the catfe running day after day. Every dollar truly makes a difference. It helps us say “yes” to the next cat who needs us. It helps us continue focusing on the ones who might not get a second chance otherwise.

If you’ve ever visited, volunteered, adopted, or even just followed along with us, you’ve already been part of these stories. This is just another way to be part of them.

During North Texas Gives to Animals, we would be so grateful for your support: whether that’s donating, sharing, or simply cheering us on. Because at the end of the day… it all goes back to the cats. North Texas Gives to Animals ends on May 31st. Here is how you can help:

Donate now at:

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/Cozy-Catfe-Rescue

P.S. The cats say thank you. (Mostly by knocking things over, but still.)

Catapalooza is back on June 13th!

And if you’ve been before, you already know, this is one of our favorite days of the entire year.

If you have been following us for a while now, you know that Catapalooza is kind of a big deal. It is actually our biggest event of the year! We have hosted this event for several years now, and it gets better every year.

Picture this: Local vendors set up with the cutest finds, live music playing in the background, food trucks serving up something amazing, and cats… lots of cats… just waiting to meet you….

For the uninitiated, Catapalooza is our big vendor event, where we have lots of local artists and crafters sell their unique, handmade goods outside in the big field right next to The Cozy Catfe. We have had: candles, soap, clothes, home decor, art, candy, cookies, and so much more! It is always such a fun time shopping. We love supporting other local small businesses and vendors.

Our next Catapalooza is coming up on June 13th. We hope that you can come! We usually also have several live bands and singers, and it’s so much fun listening and singing along. We also have food trucks offering all kinds of foods and treats!

You can also stop inside The Cozy Catfe during Catapalooza for a 30 minute visit with the kitties. We usually keep the visits on this day to 30 minutes because we are busy! We want to make sure that everyone gets some time with the kitties.

Please spread the word and let your friends and family know about Catapalooza. The more people that come, the more money we raise to save more kitties from the local shelters and pay for things like cat food, litter, cleaning supplies, rent, and electricity. Every visit, every purchase, every bit of support helps us continue rescuing cats from local shelters and giving them a safe, comfortable place while they wait for their forever homes.

Catapalooza is our way of bringing the whole community together, whether you’re here to shop, eat, hang out, or (let’s be honest) spend time with the cats. You can browse all of our incredible local vendors, grab some food, enjoy the music… and then head inside for a 30-minute visit with the kitties 🐾

We can’t wait to see you there 💛

We rescued two new kitties from the shelters recently! Meet Dunk and Catniss! They are both very sweet little girls. We can’t wait to get to know their purrsonalities more.

We also had lots of recent adoptions! So many kitties have found their furever homes. We know they will be very loved, but it’s so hard saying goodbye each time. We are so, so close to hitting 500 adoptions! Here are just two recent ones:

We also hosted kitty yoga on May 2nd. The kitties always have so much fun with this and love our yoga instructor from Sunshine Yoga shack! We have our next kitty yoga scheduled for May 23rd. There are still some spots left, so sign up on our website: www.thecozycatfe.com

We love to put on kitty TV for the cats when the guests have left. They like to watch the birds and squirrels on the TV. Other times, we will put on quiet, calm music for them to relax.

Even though it can be crazy busy sometimes, it’s all worth it. Especially when we just get to cuddle and relax with the kitties or watch them make some biscuits even if it’s just for a few moments:

Biscuits (or maybe s’mores?) making in action

At The Cozy Catfe, we have what are called bonded pairs: two cats who are deeply attached to each other. They might be siblings. They might have grown up together. Or they might have found each other during a really hard time and never looked back. Either way, they’ve chosen each other.

And once you see it… you can’t unsee it. They sleep curled up together like a little yin and yang. They groom each other. They play together, follow each other, and look for each other when one is out of sight. They’re not just roommates. They’re family.

Anthony and Gregory, one of our current bonded pairs

That’s why we don’t separate them. Separating bonded cats can be incredibly stressful and confusing for them. Imagine losing the one constant you’ve had, especially after already going through the uncertainty of a shelter environment. We’ve seen bonded cats shut down when separated. And we’ve seen them absolutely thrive when they stay together. So for us, it’s not really a question. They come as a package deal.

Brotherly love….

Now here’s the part that surprises people: adopting a bonded pair is often easier than adopting a single cat. They keep each other company. They play together (so less boredom, less mischief). They adjust more quickly because they have their built-in comfort system. And you? You get to watch a love story unfold in your living room every single day.

Michael and Jackson, one of our other sweet bonded pairs currently at the catfe

There’s something really special about being chosen by two cats… especially when they come with a bond that strong. If you’ve ever considered adopting, we encourage you to keep an open mind about bonded pairs. Come meet them. Sit with them. Watch how they interact. You might walk in thinking you want one…

…and leave wondering how you ever considered separating the two.

Anthony and Gregory, brothers and bonded pair. They come as a set. No returns. No substitutions.

Adult cats often quietly wait and watch from their favorite spot. They're unassuming. They don’t climb up your leg when they want attention, but they certainly do want it. They’re usually calmer, more predictable, and past the “let me knock everything off your counter at 3am” phase (well, most of them, anyway). Adult cats are kind of the best-kept secret in the cat world.

When you come to The Cozy Catfe, you get to see these adult kitties in a cage-free environment and really get to see their true personality. They already know who they are and how to be a great companion. And a lot of them are just so, so grateful to finally feel safe.

At The Cozy Catfe, we focus on rescuing adult cats from local shelters for a reason. When shelters get overcrowded, adult cats are often the first to be overlooked and the most at risk. Not because there’s anything wrong with them, but because everyone walks past them looking for kittens. So we bring them here. We give them space, comfort, and time to decompress. We let their personalities shine. And we watch them go from shut down… to curious… to playful… to completely stealing someone’s heart.

If you’ve ever thought about adopting, we encourage you to spend a little time with our adult cats. Sit down. Let them come to you. You might be surprised who picks you.

Most cat cafes across the country charge an entry fee in order to help pay for things like rent, electricity, cat food, litter, cleaning supplies, vet bills, and so much more. We are no exception. We try to keep our entry fee low and we offer lots of discounts (for students, children, teachers, college students, veterans, and senior citizens).

Some people are expecting a full on cafe with lots of food and drinks… which unfortunately we aren’t able do. There are a lot of strict laws in Texas that prohibit having animals and food preparation in the same building. That’s why all the food we sell is prepackaged, and we have our amazing make your own coffee bar!

And of course, without charging an entry fee, we really could not continue our mission of rescuing kitties from the DFW shelters. We are so close to hitting 500 adoptions soon! That is why we appreciate every guest who walks through our doors, pays an entry fee, purchases a coffee, or buys something in our kitty shop.

In order to pay our bills and rescue more kitties, we also charge entry fees to our fun events that we host almost every weekend! Coming up soon, we have Mother’s Day Painting with Kitties (where the artist draws for you and you get to paint it!), Kitty Yoga, and a 1920s Murder Mystery with Kitties!! Sign up now on our website (www.thecozycatfe.com) before all the spots fill up!

So, if you haven’t stopped by The Cozy Catfe in a while, the kitties sure would love to see you! Every dollar could be another life saved!

Unfortunately, this means they often get overlooked by potential adopters. They usually spend a lot of time in the litterbox room or even hiding under a blanket. You may not even know that they’re there!

We have a few shy kitties currently at the catfe. Let’s introduce them!

First up, Katherine… she has hid in the litterbox room for a while now, where she feels safe. Usually Poppy (one of our resident kitties) will hang out in there, as well, making sure the newbies are ok. Miss Katherine will poke her head out of the little holes in the wall and see who’s around before venturing any farther. She has made some progress lately though! Here is a video hiding under a blanket on one of the benches in the main kitty lounge:

We also have Michael and Jackson! They are brothers, and we have found that in a lot of bonded pairs, there is usually a shy one and a more outgoing one. Jackson is pretty outgoing and wants lots of love. However, Michael is very shy. He often hides in his little cat tree hole. We were able to get a good video of him being very brave and coming out to get love from one of our volunteers the other day:

Rockin’ Robin hid a lot when she first came to the catfe. She hid for a long time… but she has come a long way! She also wasn’t feeling great at first, but now that she is feeling better, her personality is really starting to show:

Lastly, there is Cinco boy. He only really loves one person: Brandie (the owner and founder of The Cozy Catfe). He comes running to her when he hears her voice:

All of our shy babies are very sweet and hopefully they will find the right person soon who understands them! Come visit them here at the catfe soon and help us socialize them more!

First, you walk in and are immediately greeted like a celebrity. (Or ignored completely. There is no in-between.) Next, it’s scooping litter boxes like it’s an Olympic event. It’s then cleaning up fur (and other things) that somehow reappears 30 seconds later. It’s refilling food bowls while being aggressively supervised by about 20 tiny managers. It’s cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, and constantly trying to keep kitties out of the volunteer break area (they know their food is in there).

There’s always one cat who just made eye contact with you while doing something illegal. Then come the guests! You give tours, introduce them to the cats, and help them fall in love approximately every 3 seconds. “Who’s the cuddliest?” “Which one is the craziest?” “Can I adopt all of them?” (Don’t worry, we also ask ourselves this same question all the time…)

And then… the chaos. A zoomies outbreak. A mysterious spill. Two cats having a dramatic staring contest like it’s a soap opera. And somehow, in the middle of all of it, you end up sitting on the floor with a cat who finally decided you’re their person for the day. And that’s the moment (until a little tiff breaks out…).

Because behind all the cleaning, scooping, and chaos…every single thing we do helps these cats feel safe, loved, and one step closer to a forever home. And when one of them gets adopted? Yeah… that’s the best part. Every time.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, or just want to come see the magic for yourself, we’d love to have you. (Just be prepared… you might leave covered in fur and emotionally attached to at least one cat.) You can fill out our volunteer application on our website (thecozycatfe.com) and if you’re a good fit, we will reach out to you for an interview!

Thank you for supporting The Cozy Catfe. The kitties hope to see you soon!