What a brilliant concept, a cat rescue that charges $15 an hour for the privilege to hang out with a roomful of adoptable cats, and if you like, drink a beverage and play some vintage arcade games. Back when I lived in the neighborhood and didn't feel like I was around enough to be a proper cat daddy, it would have been amazing to have a place like this to get your fix of cat laptime and scritches. The best part is that they have adopted out over 800 cats in two years. Amazing work, keep it up Catcade! read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Another cat cafe just opened in the Chicagoland area and this one is an arcade-themed location! The owners built multiple cat-friendly converted arcade games including ones you can play and ones the cats can relax in. There are actual games like Pacman you can play as well. There are about thirteen cats currently at the Catcade and one has already been adopted! The cats are friendly and love to play. An hour almost doesn't feel like it's enough when you fall in love with one of the cats. You can sign up for a relaxing session with the cats online at https://www-1563g.bookeo.com/bookeo/b_4156374CL4H15DC4B71AB7_start.html?inwidget=false&a=4156374CL4H15DC4B71AB7 PS, they have awesome merch. read more

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Loved it so much, would definitely go again during slow hours. Some of the folks we were with were harassing the cats to keep them awake for pictures so that's why I would recommend going when they open. Overall great time playing games and watching the kitties. read more

Needed to find a very social cat to add to our family that includes one big social black lab and this was the perfect place! Used to come here for my cat fix and to support the organization, but finally pulled the trigger and adopted the most wonderful, loving, social, elderly cat! read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As someone who can't be around rescue cats because I have a need to adopt them all, I love this place! The cats are so wonderfully taken care of and loved that I leave feeling happier. The staff does an amazing job of keeping the area clean, which not only benefits the kitties, but us visitors as well. They are also incredibly welcoming (kitties and staff). If you need a pick me up, what to talk to fellow cat enthusiasts, like starring at toe beans, or just want to donate money to a good cause, check them out!! You'd be silly not too! read more

The Catcade - Resident cat and kitty groupie - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here to play some games back in March and had a hard time beating the high score on the Ms. PacMan machine because these freaking cats kept coming out of nowhere and jumping on my lap, purring all up in my business. I assume "LEO" in the 1st place position had something to do with all the cats coming at me, trying to make it so I couldn't beat his ranking. Well if he was, it worked because I couldn't get past the third level without having to take several minutes to pet all the cats that kept appearing out of thin air. Some of them even tried to block the screen and do their best to aid the ghosts by pawing at Ms PacMan on the screen, but I was able to navigate between kitty paws and ghosts to get to the dang cherries that popped up. The trick is with ghosts and kitties, to act like you don't want anything to do with them, and they'll just flock to you. We eventually left with 2nd place on the machine and one of our newest family members: #grimeythecat Can't say enough good things about the Catcade. Go meet some cool cats, both on the floor and up at the counter. read more

If you like cats and warm fuzzies, run don't walk to this place! This place has all the feels! Reserve a one hour time slot online. Your $15 donation helps the place keep running, gives you an hour of playtime and one non-alcoholic canned beverage of your choice. This is such a lovely place and all the kitties are friendly and happy. With the exception of the resident cat Leo (and maybe a few young kittens too young to be adopted yet) most of these cats are looking for their forever homes. If you are looking to adopt, this place provides a great opportunity to get to know the cats in a laid back, comfortable atmosphere. I was amazed to learn that in just 2 years since opening this place has adopted out over 800 cats! You'll find this awesome non-profit located a 7 minute walk straight West of the Belmont El stop. The play area is clean and they provide toys and clear guidelines on expectations for guests. You are not permitted to pick up the cats, however while I was there, many people had the lovely treat of cute feline friend deciding their lap looked like the purr-fect spot to cuddle up for a bit! I can't say enough great things about this organization, the people that run it and the overall experience! read more

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Are you a cat person? Well, procure your $15 for an hour of total unbridled joy! The staff/volunteers are always kind and professional, the arcade theme is fun, and this place looks and smells considerably cleaner than most places that house this many cats. They also offer a great drink selection including La Croix, Gatorade, and the Starbucks Frappuccino bottled drinks as well. But of course, the cats are the stars of the show here. I'm not in the market for adoption, but I come here for cat cuddles and purrs, and the Catcade always delivers. The delight of this place is simple. If you like cats, you'll love the Catcade. I've been to several cat cafes, and the cleanliness and professionalism here are top notch. If you don't like cats, well, best to move on to your dog park then... read more

If you're looking for an oasis of feline friendliness, check out The Catcade! You'll walk in to sign a safety waiver and be offered a beverage of choice- I went with an Arnold Palmer. You'll also be told not to pick up the cats, but feel free to pet them, even the sleeping ones! Then you'll be given a visitor pass, and off you go. There is a reservation fee of $15 per hour to hang out with all the cats that are up for adoption, and that helps pay for the cats' medical expenses among other things. A few arcade games are strewn about, but the interactions with all the loving cats were definitely enough to keep me entertained. My one complaint about my visit is that there was a party scheduled tonight, so me and my sister were only allowed to stay for half an hour instead of the hour-long sessions they usually have. But on the other hand, the man in charge was nice enough to only charge me and my sister $15 for both of us to make up for the inconvenience, which we very much appreciated. All in all, I'll definitely be looking forward to coming back in the future when I can hopefully stay longer! read more

I love the catcade! My favorite part might be reading the angry Yelp reviews. I adopted my two cats from them and I've fostered with them a few times. They're always so organized and helpful. Everyone who works there and tons of the fosters clearly devote their lives to these cats. I'm so grateful for my cats and how well they were socialized! read more

The Catcade - Dumb cats - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this place. Everything about it is amazing, even the atmosphere. Got an hour to spare? Head over to the Catcade (make a reservation!) and pet some cats. Just don't pick them up! These adoptables have seen some shit, having been pulled from high-risk/euthanasia lists. Let them come to you; it's all the more special when a cat picks you! read more

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

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I typically don't write reviews on Yelp, usually because I'm not a professional food/entertainment critic. But I try and make sure the places and people that I really end up enjoying and want to help support beyond repeat patronage get a 5 star review. This is one of those cases. It's a nice place run by nice people for a really nice cause. read more

The very best place on earth, run by the very best people on earth. Highly recommend you visit and adopt here.

I have been to many cat cafes (I make it a point to go to one in every city I visit) and I have to say - this is one of the best cat cafes I've ever been to. The price of admission (I paid $15 in January but it looks like it increased to $17 now), which is really good. Upon getting there, the staff gives the group an introduction and a lowdown of do's and don'ts, which was super organized and great for knowing how to handle the cats. The space itself is really big with so many different structures and toys for the cats. I love that this was one floor because it allows the visitors to be able to interact with the cats (I've been to cafes were it was multiple floors and it makes it hard for us to interact with them). All of the cats and kittens were so friendly and such a joy to be around with. There are also some arcade games available in the space. I was honestly SO close to adopting a kitty. I will always recommend this to anybody who visits Chicago. read more

this is the closest i will ever come to heaven. picture this: meet the robinsons playing on a tv in the distance, roughly 47 cats quietly loving you and begging to be pet and falling asleep in your lap, in a room full of the kindest people with pure hearts and sexy souls. read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I visited the Catcade for comedy night, along with some fellow feline enthusiasts (we all happen to volunteer at a larger shelter). I was already impressed by the concept of cats and video games, but left in awe of the entire undertaking. The room is clean and cozy, and doesn't smell "catty" - you know the smell I mean. Owners and staff are friendly, and extremely grateful for all of the support they (and the cats) receive. I plan to return for cat yoga, and to support them via their Amazon Wish List. OH: and if I ever rip off the band-aid and get a second cat, they're at the top of "adopt from here" list. If you're planning a visit, weekdays are less chaotic. read more

I booked this place for my daughter's birthday as she absolutely loves it here. To say that they have been unaccommodating would be an understatement. I booked this place to have a place to do the cake and pizza. After I booked though, I was told no food is allowed. Despite the fact that they give out drinks AND that their website homepage has a large pizza on the front! Then I asked if I could fill out the waivers in advance and was told that I have to spend the first 20 minutes of my hour long reservation filling out the waivers. They were totally unaccommodating and my level of stress about this party is now through the roof. read more

I absolutely adore the Catcade. The two people who started it are so passionate about what they do and it shows. Every dollar goes into saving and taking care of orphaned cats until they are adopted. $15 for an hour visit may seem like a lot, but it goes toward a great cause and you get to hang out in a room full of cats for an hour! I recommend making reservations in advance, as this place is popular and spots fill up fast. You get one drink with your entry, and they play a movie in there (they were showing Finding Dory when we went). There were a few working arcade games, but really the best part were the cats. There were shy ones, playful ones, cuddle bugs, kittens, older ones, all kinds of cats. And each one is adoptable. The people working in the Catcade are friendly and knowledgeable. Visiting the Catcade is a relaxing experience that makes it hard to resist not getting another cat. In addition to regular visiting hours, they have Cat Yoga and other special events. Even if you're one of those people who say they "don't like cats", do a great thing and support the Catcade! read more

As a clinical therapist who specializes in relationships, trauma, and abuse, I hear (and sometimes witness) rough things on a daily basis. I found that taking a weekly yoga class kept me from getting burnout... but then I found myself in the terrifying place of having taught too much yoga, getting burned out on yoga, and then finding it more stressful to take yoga classes. If I get burnout or compassion fatigue, that's dangerous for me, my clients, and my husband. Enter the Catcade, miraculously just when I needed it. I have cats at home. Cats I love. (2 more cats, thanks to one half of a bonded pair forcibly adopting me at the 'Cade... best problem ever). But when I go to the Catcade, if the cats have a territory scuffle, I don't have to stress about it. If someone barfs, I don't have to clean it up (or panic about one of my elderly cats' health issues). If I lie down in the cuddle nook, I'm not overwhelmed with guilt that my computer is 15 feet away and I "Should Be Working." (Fellow self-employed folk, witness?) Being swarmed with kittens does so much for my mood for the rest of the week. It's the burnout antidote I've been needing. And seriously, 15 bucks? That's less than my weekly yoga classes used to cost! Get a loyalty card and it averages to $12 per visit. Possibly less if you can write off charitable donations on your taxes [rant redacted, I'm not an accountant, YMMV]. Finding the Catcade was a lot like discovering the Alley when I was 14, twenty*mumble* years ago... An environment made for weirdos like me, but more approachable, and more new-kitten than new-leather smell. Chris and Shelly are warm, genuine people who clearly want their cats and guests comfortable. As casual as the atmosphere is, you can tell they've carefully curated every element, from the logos to the decor. They do an excellent job of selecting cats that will thrive in their cage-free and sociable environment. The result is a fun and relaxing environment for cat lovers and felines. You can get a sense of what the cat is like much better than you could at most shelters, because they're free to interact with you and other cats. Their social media is entertaining, to say the least. It's a great place to hang out with friends or hang out with cats. I recommend it to friends, colleagues, clients, and you. read more

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On the way, my friend made the comment that $15 is a lot of spend an hour with cats. But after spending time here it is apparent that is is not only worth the price of $15, but we also both bought t-shirts to help support the Catcade. You can cuddle, play, and give the cats treats. The cats seem very comfortable around the people and other cats. The entrance price comes with a free drink and a large TV shows movies all day. The cats are all friendly and adoptable. A volunteer (employee?) we were talking with mentioned that the cats all come from kill shelters where the euthanasia rate is 90%. Most of the cats who come into the shelters from Alabama, Kentucky, and Indiana risk getting put down almost right away. Nothing wrong with the cats, just shelters lacking resources to help get the cats homes. It is amazing that these cats get the chance to go to forever homes through Catcade. They have a high adoption rate, with each cat staying less than 2 weeks before being adopted out. An amazing feat. read more

Love this place. The cats get the best of care. It is a very unique place with unique owners. Best way to spend $15, for an hour being surrounded by kitties. read more

$15 for an hour with the kitties. A little high I think but for a good cause. There is a wait list during busy times like Saturdays (Caturdays?) so it's best to call ahead. Lots of cats, all shapes, ages, colors. Toys are out for you to play with them. Staff was really sweet. Great concept! read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We were so excited to visit the Catcade. After reading the rule manifesto prior to our visit, I knew the management would be strict and very organized but hoped the snarky tone was just to ward off riff raff. Let me preface what I'm about to say by acknowledging that the cats are well taken care of and that aspect of the Catcade is great. However, it is not the kind of place I would want to mediate my adoption experience. The staff are condescending and as a guest you feel more like a kindergartener they're corralling. At the end of our visit we were reminded to "empty our bladders" before our visit was over, as if we aren't fully adult human people capable of making the call of if we wait until we get home to pee or not. Minor detail, but it captures the guest experience well as a whole. The management would better serve the cats by treating the people they're about to trust to take care of them with respect. read more

Stopped in The Catcade on a lazy Sunday and they had several openings, so my boyfriend and I decided to visit. We are both animal lovers, although not allowed to house our own at this time so we thought we could give the kitties some love and also get some cat-therapy of our own! Chris was very friendly and had us ready to roll with drinks within minutes. Very chill, clean, cozy environment. Spent about an hour or so here and felt a lot happier after leaving and giving some good cats some much needed love. Really glad to see this unique opportunity promote safe and loving adoptions for these furry friends. For those complaining about $12- it goes to keeping this safe haven open and keeping the kitties well and happy! It costs $12 to see a movie or get a cocktail-you can give $12 to a good cause and provide some cats with a friend! read more

What an amazingly fun experience. Well run establishment. It had a very professional staff. My kids and entire family had a great time

Well, that was delightful. The Spouse and I were in the area for brunch, and the bus was far enough away that we decided to stop by here since we heard about it on the Good News Podcast. We didn't have an appointment, and they were booked up, so we didn't get to play with the cats. BUT...that's okay. We already have three cats, so let people who are more likely to be able to adopt play! Instead, we looked through the windows and talked with the two founders, Chris and Shelly. They answered all of our questions about their adoption process, explained the logic behind some of the adoption requirements, told us about their business, etc. Evidently, they've been open four months, and have adopted 159 cats - which is way more than they expected, and fantastic. They are anti-declawing as well, so that's great. Their adoption fees are $100 for one cat, and $150 for two, which is pretty standard. We peeked through the window, and watched various other people playing with cats of all ages. We left at 3, when they close their doors for an hour to give the cats a rest. It looked, to me at least, that the cats would need a rest after all the playing we were seeing. So yes, this is darling and worthwhile, and will totally be worth $15 one day in the futur.e read more

This place is so so wonderful! It is a great place to unwind and get some kitty lovin. I did cat yoga last weekend with a bunch of girlfriends and it was so much fun, very unique and memorable for sure. I was so surprised by how clean it was and it didn't smell at ALL even though there were like 20 furry maniacs running around. The owners are so nice and also hilarious. I think this place is such a great concept, gives you an idea to see how a cat truly interacts with you before adopting. I will def be a regular! read more

I adopted a cat from them recently and The Catcade neglected to provide the medical care that they stated they would provide prior to the adoption. My cat has a broken tooth with gingivitis, and she had this issue when The Catcade's vet did their intake exam on her. This issue was documented on the medical records filled out by their vet and their vet recommended that my cat be brought back in for follow up dental work. When I corresponded with the owner about the adoption, she acknowledged that this dental work still needed to be done, but it needed to be delayed because their vet was in the process of moving offices and was slightly behind on appointments. The owner said she would contact me to schedule the dental work around January 2021 and that The Catcade would cover it. It is now May, and not only have I not heard from them, but I did email the owner around March 2021 to follow up about this and was completely ghosted. I have since given up on them because it is not fair to make my cat suffer because of unreliable people and instead I have had to arrange for another vet to do the dental work, which also meant I had to pay for an unnecessary initial exam just to get an estimate for the dental work from that vet. All I can say is.... do not take these people at their word. Shame on me for being naive. read more

The Catcade - Email from owner claiming that The Catcade would pay for the dental work. They never did and ghosted me when I followed up about it. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing place! Went here on a date and had a phenomenal time. I surprised him by pretending to be dropped off at the gas station down the street for date night, and we wandered over to the catcade after purchasing some beverages (and allergy medications for myself). The cats were so friendly and cute, the environment was so welcoming and calm, and the staff members were incredibly kind. read more

So much fun!! They give you an hour for unlimited arcade games plus snuggles with cats! There were plenty of furry friends to go around. They don't let you pick up the cats, but they can snuggle up on your lap. read more

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Let's be very clear here. I'm a dog person. Murder muffins aren't my thing, even remotely. My wife loves the little balls of anger and fury though. So we have a couple, and I got our third from The Catcade for her birthday. What Chris and Shelly are going is incredible, it's simple. They provide love for the unloved. Every single cat was once on the euthanasia list. Every one of their evil little paws was about to be wiped out, and they rescued them and provide them with a place to live until someone wants to come and pick one up to love forever, or attempt to love. I mean they're cats and they're salty little critters. I'm convinced ours are plotting our deaths while we spend money on expensive food and litter. $15 bucks to hang out with adorable balls of rage and hatred seems like a deal. Every time i'm there, they attack viciously, lay in my lap, try to lure me in with cute looks and head rubs. You won't find a better place to hang out and watch some movies while having adorable predators climb all over you. Book your appointment online! There are lots of people wanting to hang out with these little dudes, you wouldn't want to miss out on some serious hangs would you?! read more

Do you love cats? Have you always wanted to chill in a room with 10+ cats? If so, this is the place for you. I went the second week after they opened, and a couple things stood out to me that made this a fun experience that I'd definitely recommend to cat-lovers everywhere: (1) Wide-range of cat personalities, and most of them are friendly! (Though maybe it was because I came in the morning so they all wanted attention and weren't tired of people yet.) But I was amused the entire time I was here. You have lap cats, playful hunters, ambitious people-climbers, grumpy sit-on-your-stuff-ers. With 10+ cats there was also a good cat-to-guests ratio, so if the one kitty you were playing with decided it was time to ignore you, there's probably two others sneaking up on you wanting to play. If you are entertained just watching your one cat at home all day... hanging out in a room with a bunch of cats is amazing. (2) It was super clean. I was really impressed given the number of cats. No litter smell (and very cleverly hidden litter boxes all over the place if you look closely) and all the furniture / pillows / carpets were clearly cleaned frequently. (3) Your dollars go to a good cause, which is helping house the cats until they can find their forever home. I like that the website has a wishlist so that you can see where your money is going. Only a couple things would have made my experience better -- maybe some more sitting furniture (there's only a couple of chairs). The arcade theme kind of confused me but I guess it's nice to have another thing to do while you're in the cat room? And I think it'd be neat if they had a membership of sorts for those of us who can't have cats of our own at home -- maybe a package with a couple visits per month for a repeated monthly donation. Anyway, all in all if you love cats this is a good place to try for an hour on a random day or weekend! read more

This is the American Dream: making something unique that can sell but could also provide warmth and happiness to another person's life, and kittens...all of the sweet, loving and adoptable kittens you can imagine. This amazing concept, which was brought over from Japan's 'Cat-Cafe' idea, the Catcade provides an interesting experience where people can come in and pay by the hour to just relax in this nice room with arcade games, a TV and some movies, a drink of choice (non-alcoholic...sorry, peeps), and...you guessed it, KITTENS! This is the ultimate getaway from the real world to just forget about everything, almost equivalent to receiving a Swedish massage. It's great too that the kittens are all so kind and generous, who are very willing to play with you as soon as you walk inside the room. Loads of cat toys and cat trees for them to climb on and play with, it's impossible not to crack a smile at the Catcade. They even have select special days/nights here, which include Yoga sessions and special movie nights as well. But the best part, in my eyes, is the fact that all of these kittens are fit to be adopted. Everybody needs a home, and this is the best way to showcase that these kittens are as loving as the next one that comes around. The Catcade is a wonderful concept that I hope to see pop up more and more in this city. It pains me to always see alley cats everywhere I go, so walking into this place was a breath of fresh air. So thank you! read more

One of my favorite places in the city! Make a reservation first so you can guarantee your time in the room. I highly recommend going to yoga on Sunday morning! It's doubly therapeutic to release all your tension while kittens stomp all over you. The owners & staff work so hard to save high risk cats and kittens, give them amazing veterinary treatment, and adopt them out to responsible new cat owners! All the cats on the floor are adoptable except one who is super sweet and helps all the new cats socialize and adjust. Check out their Instagram for hilarity and heartwarming stories! read more

I love the concept of the catcade. I'm not too big of a cat person but I do like friendly kitties. The founders of catcade are so friendly and genuine in their want to help out kitties who need a loving home, it really shines through. 1 hour for $15 is $15 well spent. You get a beverage of your choice as well and i love that coconut water is included. Some kitties are friendly and others aren't so much. But thats just how it is. They also have cool events like cat yoga if youre into that type of thing! For $30 you get an hour of yoga and 30 minutes with the cats. That's pretty cool. Support this catcade and show some love for the cats :) read more

If I am away from home for more than two days and see a cat outside, I will try to pet it. So Boyfriend decided that maybe we should pay to pet some cats who are up for being petted instead of having me accost unwilling felines in the street. The Catcade is a rescue and adoption agency which means they get the cats, take the cats to the vet, and do all the matchmaking for cat adoptions. All 15 of the dollars you pay to get into the 'Cade go toward the cats (including you know, paying for lights to be on while you pet the cats, things like that). We were there right after they'd pulled 24 cats. More than half the population was kittens and adolescents. Kittens were crawling up on laps, sometimes two to a lap, playing, and just being adorable. Leo, the resident cat, slept through our entire visit. A couple people visiting were interested in adopting and Chris launched into adoption counselor mode to match up the people's personalities and ideal cat-type with the right cat. Whether you need a mid-vacation cat fix, live with an allergy sufferer, or are looking to add some paws to your household, this seems like the place. read more

The Catcade - Leo, the big orange dude, is the resident cat and father figure. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I absolutely adore The Catcade. Been in a few times and every visit has been such a great experience. They charge $15 per person for an hour session and all the fees go towards vet bills, food, litter, toys, etc. The general rules are to be nice to the cats, don't pick them up, don't chase them, etc. There's always a nice variety of cats to play with and the owners are very chill. My partner and I actually ended up adopting our little cat from here and the adoption process was very smooth. They even sell little carriers if you don't have one on hand and refer you to a nearby vet for checkups. It's a wonderful place to go and you may just find a new family member! read more

As a cat-lover, I enjoyed this place. You get to hang out with cats, and almost all of them are friendly. It's clean. I do think that $15 is too much for some of us. But then it's not a NEED to hang out with cats, so they can charge if they want. I wasn't told before I went in that $15 paid for one hour, so my kid and I were startled when we were told that our time was up. Clearly stating the price and the duration up front would be a good thing. The owner was in a bit of sour mood when we arrived. He shushed my kid (the TV was blaring and she was speaking in a normal tone). Everyone else seems to love the owners, though, so maybe it was just us they didn't like so much. We followed all their rules and complimented them on their place, but I got nervous whenever they appeared. We're experienced cat owners, so we were very good so I don't understand why the bad vibes. I'm sad about this because we live in a no-pets apartment and miss cats terribly, but I don't really feel like going back. :-( read more

My fiancé and I love coming here. They really know what they're doing and work incredibly hard to create the perfect environment for the cats. We've been here multiple times and have brought family with us, too. Every time we share pics on social media after a visit people are like, "Yay! More Catcade pics!" Please check this place out and support these humans and cats! read more

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This place makes my heart smile. Love the personalities and passion of the owners and staff, and more importantly, the environment they have created for the cats. Their FB/Insta posts are always day brighteners and I love knowing that this feline sanctuary exists. read more

The Catcade - Animal Shelters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois