Looking for a date this Valentine’s Day? If you like cats then one Long Island cafe has a quirky but cute idea for you. The Shabby Tabby Cat Cafe, located at 197 W Main St in Sayville, is hosting its fifth annual “Date A Cat!” event.
Melanie Wildfeuer, manager at the cafe, told Patch that when guests arrive, they receive a dating questionnaire, similar to what one would fill out on a dating app.
The cat and its guest are then treated to a night of wining and dining. Employees serve items such as sparkling cider, chocolates or candies for the cats, and charcuterie boards.
“It’s under the string lights, so it’s very cozy,” Wildfeuer said. “It’s nice and low key, and they get to see the cats’ true personalities.”
She also said this event is perfect for anyone who may feel socially awkward on dates. “You can date a cat instead of having the anxiety of having to talk to other people,” she said.
If you’re lucky enough to already be in a happy relationship, don’t feel left out. On Saturday, Feb. 12, the cafe will host “Date Night with Cats” — a similar event, but for couples or friends.
“It doesn’t have to be a couple, but it’s for a group of two people to do the same thing where we do the chocolate and a little Valentine’s from the cats,” said Wildfeuer.
Apart from the idea of a date with a cat, these events promote the adoption of felines looking for families. Wildfeuer says, “Each year, there’s at least one or two that we match up, and at the end of the day they’re like, ‘Hey, so what’s the adoption process?'”.
At the moment, Wildfeuer said the cafe has many cats who came from hoarding situations.
The Shabby Tabby Cat Cafe is a women-run business dedicated to giving adoptable cats a second chance by housing them in a cafe setting.
In addition to walk-in hours, the cafe hosts other events, such as drag bingo, painting, and late-night quiet hours, for cats to potentially find their forever homes.
Admission for “Date a Cat!” is $18 per person, and “Date Night With Cats” is $36 per couple.
To buy a ticket to “Date A Cat” or to view other events, click here.
