Baton Rouge nonprofit Cat Haven expands to 7,200 square-foot facility with cafe

Cat Haven, a Baton Rouge nonprofit founded in 1999, cut the ribbon on a new 7,200-square-foot adoption center on Oct. 25. The facility at 530 Shadows Lane, located near the Main Library, is more than twice the size of the organization's current site. This expansion marks the conclusion of a two-year project that includes a dedicated cat cafe, a feature the nonprofit did not previously offer.

The primary driver for the move is increased capacity. Founder and board president Wendy Decker stated the new space will allow the shelter to hold 125 cats, up from the previous limit of 75. The interior features spaces built with tempered glass, which Decker described as a "cat resort." Decker noted that the organization averages 260 cats in its care daily, a volume that strains the current 75-slot limit.

The new building includes several specialized rooms designed for different stages of cat care. These include a surgical room, a diagnostic lab, and a "zoom room" specifically for juvenile cats. The facility also contains a staff office area and an outdoor enclosure known as "the catio." Cat Haven executive director Holly Carey said the group relies solely on donations, fundraising, and grants to operate. The capital campaign funding the expansion is currently just short of its $3 million goal.

The cat cafe occupies two distinct rooms within the new facility. The entrance area features a self-serve Community Coffee machine that makes hot and iced beverages, including espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and teas. A front desk handles customer check-in. Once checked in, visitors enter the main cat room, which has a maximum capacity of eight people and eight cats. Shoes are prohibited in the cat room to prevent the introduction of bacteria or fungus.

The cat room is furnished with mini purple hammocks, grey poofs, and a long bench. Decker pointed out a tunnel underneath the bench, explaining that it provides cats with an escape route if they feel overwhelmed by visitors. Two large bookshelf-like structures serve as climbing destinations. Tables and chairs are scheduled for installation in the coming days. Visits require an online reservation, with coffee available as an add-on. College students and active or former military personnel receive a discount.

Cat Haven continues to operate from its current location at 11130 N. Harrells Ferry Road until the new facility is fully operational, a transition expected to be complete before December. When open, the adoption center will be available from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The cat cafe will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.