I had never been into The Catcade before, but I have donated a lot of new cat supplies over the years. I gotta remember to get receipts for the write offs. Anywho, you can kinda feel a little tension from the staff like it's a bit of a pseudo military operation, but maybe some people have tried some wacky shit. It's clear the cats are very well taken care of and highly social. I had a lovely experience that lowered my blood pressure immediately. They keep it clean and it's a lovely way to spend 55 minutes :). read more

Oooo the kitties, squeeee! So many cute little kittys to love! For $20 for 1 hour you can go sit and play with kittys. If you're lucky enough one will come and sit on your lap. Catcade is clean, nonprofit, with old school arcade games. Although who's playing games when there are so many cute kitties to play with!? The sessions run tight. You are not allowed to enter until assigned time. You check in, sign a waiver, grab your free drink (They have Coke products, mini waters, La Croix, Waterloo, capri sun, juice, etc.) before you know it, time has flown by and it's time to go. All the kitties are available for adoption! If you can, do it! They are all so sweet and playful! read more

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As someone who makes a point to visit cat cafes whenever I travel (and regularly visits one back home), this is one of my favorite cat cafe I've been to so far. The space was incredibly clean and somehow even smelled great despite being full of cats. The staff were friendly, direct, and did a great job explaining everything before we went in and prompt when it was time to leave. The best part? SO. MANY. CATS. There were tons of them, and they were all sweet, social, and adorable. I know they have video games you can play while you're there, but we never even thought about them because we spent our entire hour cuddling and playing with cats. If you're a cat lover visiting Chicago, this is an absolute must-visit! read more

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Fantastic great time with kitties! Thought I'd be bored but there's plenty of cats that are just begging for attention and are so cute! Worth the visit and will be going back. read more

The Catcade - Sign - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is really great place to come with some friends or by yourself to have some rnr if you love cats. Even if you don't love them, it's also a great place to come to get more used to being around cats. The kittens and cats are all adoptable or fosterable. You can play with them and pet them, just not pick them up. They're all very socialized as well. There are arcade games to play if you get bored or if there are many cats sleeping and you can also grab a drink as part of your ticket when you go! read more

The Catcade - Sign - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tl;dr exactly as advertised, and very organized and strict about time. Lots of cute cats! Would come again. ===== Sadly I'm not responsible enough to own my own cat, but this was almost the next best thing. My friend and I reserved a spot couple weeks in advance and had a great time! Note that they are very strict about times so do not be late!! Or expect to have any extra time. You get a small drink (e.g. apple juice, soda, etc.) and are let loose in their cute arcade room with various cats. I liked how different each cat was. Some were very energetic and others napped the whole time. The staff are also very knowledgeable and can tell you each cat's personality in detail, if you're curious. Adopting cats from them seemed pretty straightforward, and I think one girl from our session was set to leave with at least one. Overall had a great time with all the cats! Love that they can provide a home for all these cats, and how organized and welcoming the space was. My only complaint is that I think you get booted a little bit before the full hour is up, but I guess that makes sense so that the next group can enter right on time, and accounts for cleaning time in between sessions. read more

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Visited for the first time on Friday and it was a delightful experience. I recommend just going in and finding a couch chair or a spot on the floor to chill and let the kittens and cats come to you. They also have some toys for the cats, but I was more into watching the cats' natural rhythms. They ate, used the litter box, napped, ran around, ate some more, repeated the cycle, and I let them rest when they needed to rest, and when they seemed more active engaged more. You cannot pick the cats or kittens up, but if they crawl on your lap, that's OK. Which they did from time to time. I learned that the cats and kittens here get adopted pretty quickly. Everybody looked healthy and happy and the place was very clean. read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

OMG. My friend had to tell me about this place.. I was so shocked I hadn't heard that we had a cat cafe?! We obviously, immediately, made a reservation for the last hour on a Saturday. You get a free beverage, and get to hang out in the lounge with all the flufffffy kitties. Some tiny, some large.. but all so cute and friendly. I loved how respectful everyone was in there too. You could tell everyone had just a deep love for all these fluffy guys. I was talking to one woman who adopted her cat from here a while ago, all while she was bonding with a new cat who clearly decided she was the chosen one! Such a great idea to get cats adopted and not breeded and sold. So many kittens need adopting, and they should be adopted not shopped. This place gets that. Overall.. I can't wait until I'm back for a quick serotonin bump : ) read more

Love this place! Brought a catless relative here for their birthday and they were in heaven. It's a miracle to me that they can corral so many cats in this space and not have cat fights. I personally think they could get away with a little more cat furniture -- maybe some stylish Armarkat shelves? -- but what they have seems to be working. The staff is cool, dedicated and unapologetically in it for the cats, which is why there are so many rules for the humans. If you can't handle that, maybe go to a dog park. Their practice of adopting two kittens out together is common and in the best interests of the kittens. Look up "single kitten syndrome." If people really cannot take in two, there are tons of adult cats in need of homes who can be adopted individually. I found the price of this experience well worth it and their rules reasonable. I also know someone who successfully adopted from here and is happy with their decision. Bottom line: if you can't follow the rules here, you're probably not ready to live with a tiny floofy overlord. read more

You can ride your bike here or find street parking or take CTA. It's $20/hour to enjoy the cat cade that has arcade games and cats and kittens for adoption. They advised not to allow the dogs to look through the windows because the cats can get scared. I love cats I want a nice place for them to get cats. Adopt adopted. We need a forever loving home that is hopefully indoors OK if you were to allow your cat to go out, they may never return because they don't always know how to get back and they can get hurt by people and other in the community. Any establishment that cares for homeless cats are my kind of place. read more

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These people are absolute psychos. I had adopted two cats 4 years ago from a different place, one sadly passed away. I tried to do a foster to adopt, filled out endless pages of information and gave them my ID. Showed up on our email cat was ready to be transferred at the shelter. They gave me the complete lie of cat doesn't want to be moved into a carrier so I couldn't go home with her. They then sent cat back to her original foster family. Fun facts for adoption from these people - they want daily emails on the stool consistency of the cat. Yes daily from 1 to 7 in order of hardness. Cats need homes not a graduate degree from Jackson Galaxy! read more

Such a cute experience! The admission fee includes 1 hour of cat time and a soft drink. The cats were adorable and the place was kept very clean. read more

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What a cool place!!!! So happy to spend an hour cuddling with the kitties! Well staffed, very clean. Will be back to support!! read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is absolutely a great place to fill your heart and de-stress from the chaos of the rest of the world! The staff are very kind and informative and while they have a lot of necessary instructions and regulations in order to keep all the kitties safe, they are very straightforward and clear with the process. Definitely give this place a visit if you need to smile! read more

This place was so cool! Part of my daughter's 11th birthday was getting to come play with cats and she loved it. It's an animal rescue so you can adopt them. The cats are well taken care of, playful and healthy. They're also great with kids! There also is not an overwhelming cat odor which was an added plus. Thanks for having us! read more

Absolutely amazing place! They are focused on the well-being of the cats before anything else, even if that upsets some humans. The cats come first, whether that's in their rules or adoption policies, they follow best practice for those lives they've committed to caring for. Highly recommend making a reservation as they tend to sell out and walk-ins are rare. read more

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Absolutely amazing time! Kitties are playful, and the cats are well socialized. Such a good space available for both kitties and people, and the arcade games are fun, but we are all obviously here for the cats. The value for $20 per person for an hour of time with the cats is decent, and the rules are easy to follow. All information on the cats and their requirements is displayed in the area, and they offer more information for anyone curious. I will definitely be back. read more

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The new location is great - such a cute little space! The cats were so loving and cuddly. Such a great price for a great cause. Totally recommending to my fellow cat lovers - a must visit spot in Lakeview! read more

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The catcade has been my happy place for over 4 years, and it's even better with their recent relocation! The staff are warm, the cats are sweet, and it's very accessible!! Make sure to book in advance and be there on time. read more

It was fun. I met new people and got to play with cat. We can't have cats because it makes it hard to rent a place, and we are moving in a year. It is a nice place to look for future pet or to get you fill for pets. The people there are nice and the room is clean. It is worth the hour of time and the drink is nice. The games are fun to do. read more

What a fantastic place. I absolutely loved it. For $15 a person you can play with cats and kittens for an hour. And there are so many cats! Not just cats, but video games and arcade games as well. While $15 might seem a little steep, that money keeps these kitties out of shelters. They're all available for adoption too. My daughter is dying for a cat, but with a bunny and birds, it's just too dangerous. But we can come here so she can get her kitten fix. For all cat lovers who want to save cats from high kill shelters, book a reservation. It's a happy place to spend some time. Well worth the money. read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My 11 year old daughter recently decided we need a cat. Three kids and 1 bearded dragon (her last animal obsession) is enough for this fam so it's not happening, but I did agree to take her and her cat loving friends downtown to The Catcade. The Cascade is a room that's an arcade full of kittens. While I thought arcade + kittens was the most random combination ever it somehow works. I booked a reservation ahead of time for $15/person. There's all sorts of silly rules like you have to have an adult for every 2 kids. And since my daughter invited 3 friends one of their moms was lucky enough to accompany me on this adventure. You can also only have up to 6 people. However, if you have a party of 7 you can rent out the room and have all the kittens and arcade games to yourself. Not a bad idea for a bday party! We got there right in time for our 3-4pm reservation and were told lots more rules on how to play (or how not to play) with the kittens. And then we were let into a room full of cats.. Basically my worst nightmare, but happy to see such happy 5th grade girls. My friend and I made our way to the corner of the room away from the cats. The cats got a lot a love from our girls and others in the arcade and the games were getting played a bunch too, although my daughter was ALL about the cats. She even found one she was certain should come home with us...nope. 1 hour in the cat room was the perfect amount of time and the girls left happy with the soft drinks that come with your reservation in their hands. We even stopped at Jeni's ice cream on this warmish spring day to make it truly the best outing ever. While I can be certain there will be no pet cats in my future, I have a feeling there may be more trips back to The Catcade. read more

The Catcade - Bonding with one of the cats at the catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Catcade was a fun, unique, and very interesting experience. By reserving a 1 hour time slot for $15, you receive a complimentary drink (e.g., can of pop/soda, iced tea, juice, etc.) can interact and play with the 10+ cats roaming around in "arcade" area. There are free arcade games in the room, but I think most people come here to play with the cats. The proceeds goes to supporting all the cats in the shelter. It is a no-kill shelter, so cats stay there until they are adopted or turn old and gray! You have to sign a waiver to enter. There are many rules to the place, and one of the most stressed upon rule is that you are not allowed to pick up the cats! However, there are toys for you to interact with them. Many of them come to you, and sit on you if you hang out long enough on the couch! I knocked down 1 star because the Catcade had a very strict rule about not allowing customers to wait in their lobby area. A young lady was waiting for her friend before entering the play area, but was asked to stand outside in the cold (middle of winter), dark night despite the waiting area being empty except for myself and the owner. Found it odd that she wasn't wait inside the lobby area! Just for safety, warmth, and courtesy reasons, it left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

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From an outsider's point of view (i.e., a suburban patron reserving time and planning an hour drive each way), this felt like it would be a complete cluster. The reservation website is an intense "do not" list coupled with anxiety cattle prod statements such as, "Reservations cannot be moved less than 24 hours before your reservation. There are no refunds, ever." OR "Seven is the minimum age for visiting The Catcade. There are no exceptions to this rule, please do not ask." I'm honestly shocked we even went through with the reservation process. While the stress and anxiety Catcade's owners impart digitally, the on-site experience is not only less intense, but...blissful. There were two wavers we needed to sign upon entering and rules about keeping doors closed so cats did not escape onto Belmont. Once inside, it was an absolute joy! Not only did they have docile, friendly cats, but a new litter of kittens was bounding about the enclosure! We had an absolutely delightful time with the felines and the (blonde) owner behind the rescue noted that all the cats were adopted within weeks/months. IN SHORT: Despite the volcano of anxiety the organizers impart on their guests leading up to the event, I recommend a visit. Catcade's "meow" is worse than its bite. IF you choose to make a reservation online, triple check your info is right because A) they will not accept any changes to the reservation, and B) they will not respond to email/phone requests to change. Outside of that, enjoy the experience, take pictures, and maybe adopt a loving animal. read more

The Catcade - I had no idea there would be kittens! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were visiting Chicago and staying nearby; once we saw the Catcade we made a reservation immediately. Their current location has huge windows so you can see all the adoptable kitties sleeping, playing, and enjoying their space. They have some ADORABLE kitties. Reservations seem expensive for the hour, but they help cover operation costs, which are pretty high considering the love and care that go into ensuring the health of the cats. Don't be late; they can't extend your reservation so you'll have a reduced time inside. Always pay attention to the rules the staff tell you. The owners give the cats hilarious names; when we went in they had a pair of kittens called Apple Bottom Jeans and Boots with the Fur. Seriously. Follow them on instagram for adorable pics and some unhinged (in the best way possible) captions from the owners. The space is really cool, and is cat-led. They own the room, and they let you know it. Be comfy, try to meet as many cats as you can, and try not to take all of them home with you. Always make a reservation in advance, they often sell out. read more

THEY MADE ME FOLLOW BASIC RULES. ONE STAR! So....a few people in the community and I started helping out an ancient lady who appears, conservatively, to be 104. I feel okay saying that since she got her first cell phone last year, doesn't know how to text, and doesn't own a computer. I'm just gonna call it like I see it. Anyway, we used to take turns driving her to and from her job at Jewel, but she took a fall in September or so, and since getting back from the hospital and rehab, has been stuck alone at home. Now instead of picking her up once a week from work, I'm trying to take her on an outing once a month. This is how Annette met the kitties. She has difficulty walking, and needs someone for balance (because she refuses a walker) but there is seating in the front lobby area. This is great since you will likely wait a few to check in and await your time slot. I hadn't been in a while, so was relieved to see this! Inside, I sat her on a little sofa/futon deal in between clumps of sleeping kittens. She was SO TICKLED when one crawled into her lap to resume its nap. She then kept talking to or at them and petting them, commenting on the antics of the more active kitties, and generally having a nice time being part of the world for an hour. Thanks to the Catcade for making an old lady smile and creating a space that's comfortable and usable for all ages and abilities. read more

I've had my eye on the Catcade for over a year, but haven't actually had an opportunity to be in town until now. I'm so glad I went! Friendly cats everywhere and charming owners. Maybe it was luck, but the culture of the Catcade also draws the best patrons - our hour time slot was spent chatting away with about 10 strangers while bonding over playful kittens who had no sense of fear when using our laps as launchpads. I also was visiting on a whim during a work trip so I was wearing heels and pretty flowy pants that kittens were charmed by - unplanned but made for absolutely adorable photos. read more

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I cannot fathom a reason why anyone would rate this experience less than 5 stars. This was an hour of pure bliss - all of the kittens are super cuddly and adorable. And if you want to adopt one, the adoption fee is extremely reasonable (I think $150?). The staff is super nice and have genuine love for the cats. Can't wait to come back! read more

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This place is such a wonderful place to spend a relaxing hour with a room full of cats. They run this place very smoothly--all the rules are laid out in an email when you make a reservation and they reiterate them when you get there. It's straight forward and all in service of ensuring the safety and comfort of the cats and humans. After we signed the online waiver and heard the rules (all very quick process), we picked a drink from the fridge (they have a variety of options and I opted for the Caprisun, for the nostalgia). We then made our way to the catcade room! Cats were friendly and approached us often. I saw three people who were blessed with some lap cats! Unfortunately no feline friends chose my lap :( However many approached and allowed for some head scritches and petting. The cats were quite active for it being 11am! Can't wait to come back with my partner. Though there's a very high chance that if I go with him, we're going to come home with a new family member! read more

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There are 20 people per time slot so they are banking $400/hour - keep that in mind along with the staff attitude presented on their website that is also how they treat people in person. Most of the cats were sleeping at 1pm soooo, all 20 of us awkwardly waited for the 2 awake cats to come and play. The whole thing was lame and somewhat unpleasant. Have to hand it to them, practically printing money for their nonprofit while showing obvious distaste for humans. I recommend using your opposable thumbs to donate and visit elsewhere. read more

I've seen a couple of these cat cafes pop up and this was my first experience. The two places I've looked at charge you for the time, but it's honestly a nice way to meet the cats (usually with a beverage) before considering adoption as well as a unique option for a hangout. The Catcade offers a yoga session, so me and two others did that for 45min and chilled with the cats for another 45min. They give you treats to give to the cats throughout the sesh. There is info handed out on each of the cats and can also be found online. Staff was very helpful about answering any questions and was overall very welcome so I wasn't afraid to interact with the cats and participate in the yoga as a beginner. read more

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Love the catcade! The concept is incredible and the cats are amazing. Price is $15 for an hour of cat time plus a cold beverage. All proceeds go to running the shelter and getting the cats ready for adoption. This location doesn't play around, on average they have adopted out over one car a day since they have been in operation over the last 2.5 years. It's so impressive they are able to support this many cats and get them the well deserved home they need. Recommend making an appointment because space is limited. But once you're in, go crazy! There are so many cats and kittens eager to play. The place is extremely clean with lots of toy options. My husband knows I want a cat but is allergic so this is a great place for me to hang when I really need to fuzz around the kitties. Please come support this establishment. These cats need us! read more

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I was eating across the street and spotted The Catcade and immediately knew I would be checking it out. This was my first cat cafe experience. I thought the concept was unique, we paid and waited for our timeslot to enter and were given coupons for a free coffee down the street. They didn't really want us waiting in the waiting area, not sure why when noone else was waiting. Adorable cats. Some were sleeping on the arcade games. Walls had fun paintings. Toys all around so you could play with the cats. Cute spot if you are bored, love cats, and looking for something to do in Chicago. read more

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look at these little guys. please!!! i'm screaming!!! i literally melted away look at these cats!!!!! you literally just hang out with cats!!! they are so chill and so sweet and so cute i'm screaming please come hang out with them and then adopt them into your forever home omg omg omg read more

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Immaculately clean. The staff are very friendly and on top of everything. Worthy cause. read more

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I've seen this place so many times on Instagram and TikTok. When I was walking down the street from the dentist after my root canal, My eyes lit up and I got really excited, I couldn't believe it was actually there, I started walking towards the building, it said it was reservation based but they do allow walk-ins. when I first came in it looked really cool. I saw a lot of pretty lights, souvenirs, and Arcade Game but I was more interested in seeing the kitties. There is a $20 entrance fee + Free Refreshments which was pretty good especially for an Arcade/Cat Cafe. When I walked through the door going down the ramp there were the so many pretty kitties and they are so adorable. I wanted to pick them up, but I wasn't allowed , I composed myself and just let them sit on the chair next to me and played with them. I heard and felt them purring and it made me feel so relaxed, especially after the numbness from my mouth subsided, I was so overjoyed by so many cats especially this one cat that was sitting next to me on table top game. It literally climb on top of my shoulder and started kissing my face. I was so happy and it was so worth it. I really wanted to take them home, but I knew that my cat would not like that LOL. I will absolutely be visiting this place again. Definitely would recommend someone who is looking for a nice relaxing day to play with Cats; 100 out of 10.| P.S. The place is also an adoption center and the cats are up for adoption, if you are looking for a cat you should definitely check them out!. read more

My boyfriend and I have come here two times now and have enjoyed our experience, mainly due to the cats. However, if you want to be given a strict set of rules and threatened upon arrival, then come here. Immediately upon arriving they threatened that if any of us were to pick up the cats, the whole group would be kicked out. What a nice welcome. It's obvious the owners really like to execute their authority, in a very obnoxious way. Like please, we're here to pet cats not be threatened with playground rules. I doubt we will be returning read more

The Catcade is my happy place. Fluffy kittens. Strong cat to human ratio. Great mix of toys and nap spots. Smells like nothing, which is a monumental achievement and a quality that sets it apart from other local places with cats (including my own home). Run by two reformed punks who make you feel welcome (usually). Highly recommend for locals and tourists alike. Make a reservation in advance or risk missing out on little nuggets of joy. read more

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This place doesn't even deserve the one star, you have to select it to place your review. Do not go to this place. We feel the owner is using it as her business to make money and not a real non profit as they say. They are not here to help find great homes for cats, only to charge you to come in with a lot of what not to do rules. And don't be late, they will keep your money and not let you in. Fortunately we were on time. Basically this is like a petting cat zoo, that is all you can do, besides maybe wave a toy in front of the cats. We found a cat we loved, exactly what we were looking for. After almost a week of waiting for a response to see if we could give this cat a wonderful home we were told in so many words we'd have to take two cats to get the one we loved. Another cat they said would be best to go home and be a house mate for the one we wanted. Such a joke. Some people haven't the budget for two cats, vet bills, food, litter, toys etc.etc. Some people may even have other animals and not the space for two more cats. Their mission isn't to adopt out cats that really need a home. Their mission is to make money off some weird cat menagerie. Really sad what they are doing here. There are way better places in Chicago to find a cat that really needs your help. Anti cruelty and Paws are two places to try. We only tried this place because they had a photo of exactly the cat we wanted, age was perfect too. Such a shame what these people are doing to these poor cats. So many had faces like, please take me, take me, I want a new home. But no, these people tell you which ones to take even if maybe your child didn't bond with or even like the one they try to force on you. Shame on you Catcade. Stop the scam. You could clear your floors and couches and little beds of cats to good homes if you didn't force two cats on people that only want and need one cat. I will also be filing a complaint with the better business bureau. Because that's what you are, NOT a non profit. read more

Adorable kitties, knowledgeable staff, a commitment to animal well-bring, and supporters of various social causes. AND a cold beverage with paid admission. What more could you want? read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois