I'm here to tell you all about the magic that is a cat cafe! And GUESS WHAT?!  I think it's time we bring this phenomenon to ChiTown! 

Thank you for taking a look at our campaign and for considering supporting us! Should you like to follow us on our journey you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, our website or check back here! Please share our project with anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere by sharing our Indiegogo link. 

The Windy Kitty will be part cafe, part cat lounge but in its whole a  place to bring community and fuzzy felines together.  We will serve locally sourced food and drinks and our cats come from our local partner, ALIVE Rescue. Cat cafes are places that bring together cats and people that may not otherwise get to meet so they may get to know each other. This helps increase the odds of finding those cats furrever homes. For those that can't have animals at home The Windy Kitty brings you a super cool place to hang out with cats and no pressure to adopt. It is well known that bonding with animals is good for everyone and we can't wait to give you that extra piece of happiness in your life!  A cat cafe will ensure the cats are able to avoid being in a shelter, roaming free, playing and socializing with the rad people of Chicago.

Guests reserve time online, purchase entry and come in to enjoy time with the friendly felines.  Beverages and snacks are always available, there are no rules on how to do it, we only hope to provide companionship to cats and cat lovers. College students, young families introducing cats to their children, young professionals who have limited time and of course those who simply enjoy the company of cats what we are here for! This is a place for the cats we receive for foster from ALIVE Rescue, not a place to bring your cat in;)

You can now find cat cafes in Japan, Australia, Europe, South Korea, the original U.S. location in Oakland (2014), New York City, Seattle, Columbus, OH, Denver, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Austin, Pittsburgh, Tempe, Madison, WI and many more locations, some of which will open soon, LIKE US! Help us bring this way to find furrever homes for cats in Chicago.

My name is Jenny Tiner. This idea was born while traveling in Edinburgh, Scotland. I ran across this pawsome (see what I did there) place that had the most adorable cats, the happiest people inside playing with them and hanging out with each other! We went on our way but I couldn't get this place out of my head. I googled it later on and guess what? Yup, it was a cat cafe, Maison de Moggy. When I returned home, again, I couldn't get my mind off of this place so I started doing research and found out this is kind of a "thing!" A little fire started to burn and one morning over coffee I literally said "I have to do this, Chicago NEEDS THIS, there is no reason I can't do this." Since then I have been living, believing and breathing all things cat cafe including traveling the country to visit some myself. So, besides being one of those serial entrepreneur types a cat cafe has every single thing I love in life, yoga, baking, CATS, community, art, CATS, movies and bringing people together. Last but not least this is a place that will save lives and THAT is something worth giving my all to. FYI, thousands of cats have been rescued by way of cat cafes since their coming to the United States in 2012. That is no small number and I want to be a part in helping that number grow and now, so can you!!!!

Our funding cost is based on what the city of Chicago requires of us and what we've seen it take other cafes here in the US and abroad to open. We need $65,000 to get off the ground and get it done RIGHT. Here is how we plan to do that:

Your donations will go toward the purrfect safe and loving place in this way:

1. In one word, catification! This includes furnishing the lounge with tons of exercise and play equipment, high cat walks and hiding spaces, places to go when they aren't in the mood for us, a cat-care area, sunny window seats, a custom made cat tree, scratch posts, tons of bedding and all we need to maintain a clean environment.
2. We will also be opening a kitten nursery and install a cat cam after we open.
3. Building a proper entrance with barrier doors to make sure our little creatures stay inside the lounge. 
4. Expert advisors including behavior specialists, vets and rescue charities.

We will create the purrfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle by: 

1. Furnishing the space so you have a place that feels like a home away from home while you cozy up to our fuzzy buddies. Think fuzzy rugs, comfy couches, cozy window seats, warm lighting and the cutest little coffee and food joint.   
2. Creating a layout that ensures your locally sourced food and drinks stay pristine and cat-free.
3. Installing air purifiers and the proper ventilation so we stay smelling as fresh as the ocean breeze.
4. We know there is a positive social impact The Windy Kitty can bring to the lives of so many people in Chicago. Cats don't discriminate on physical ability, age, sex, race or personal beliefs. They just want to share their love with everyone and so do we. YOU have the power to bring that to reality RIGHT NOW!

• Besides being a part of bringing this magical place to Chicago we've got of a few thank you's to sweeten the pot and show you how much we appreciate your support. Take a look at all of the rewards to the right and find the one you want, tell us your name or donate anonymously if you wish! 
• We will ensure that you receive  all of your perks for your donations as soon as possible.  Look at the expected disbursement deadline to be aware of when this may be.
• Contributing will make you a part of the cat cafe family, and the kitties will give you extra snuggles and purrs when you come in. If I give ya a hug, don't be surprised. ;)

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO ADD ON THESE ITEMS! Easy checkout!

C

Check us out in the press!!!!!! 

Shout out from TimeOut Chicago!

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/when-will-chicago-get-the-cat-cafe-it-deserves-071217

Article by Steve Dale on his blog!

cat-cafe-will-open-chicago-help

Support from DNA Info-Lincoln Park

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170712/lincoln-park/windy-kitty-cat-cafe-clark-street-jennifer-tiner-alive-rescue-fundraiser-indiegogo

Risks & Challenges

Our main remaining risks and challenges are below: 

1. Right now we are in the process of a zoning variance. We will find out if we can open up at the location we have chosen on  Clark St. in Lincoln Park. We have been in touch multiple times with the Alderman's office, the city planning department, a lawyer and our proposed landlord quite some time and so far we have been given no reason to believe this won't happen and in some cases have seen that they are getting excited. REALLY excited.  If for some reason it does not get approved it just means we have to go with another location, wait and pay again for approval until the right place is found, it does not mean it won't happen.
2. Health department issues. We’re doing everything we can to be proactive here, but some things just don’t come up until they can see the space. We’ll be working to get them in as soon as possible.
3. Construction and construction permits could take more time and money than planned. Should that happen we may have a fall opening rather than summer, and sadly have to take out a loan. But again, it doesn't mean it won't happen. 
4.  If this Indigogo campaign fails. This would be bad for so many reasons. There are a lot of people, including our rescue partner, ourselves, our families and friends that would be affected. We have invested countless hours and emotions in the past year.  I've sunk money into this on the belief that it will come to life.  If the failure is extreme, I may have to call the entire project off. I think it would show lack of interest which would mean this is not a sustainable model for adoption and cats lives would be affected in the long run, not just a business. If the failure is minimal, I will have to pursue investors and that takes more time.

We know that some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help!

• Please get the word out! Share it with everyone you know and make some noise about this campaign. We want Chicago to shake with our energy and excitement!
• Use the share tools that Indiegogo provides and share the link on facebook, twitter, instagram, google+, email, put a printout on a local board or just scream it from the rooftops! However you can get the word out!

THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN! I am beside myself with excitement and will not stop until I  bring a Cat Cafe to Chicago! I am telling you, walking in will be like walking in to pure sunshine!  Let's save some lives and bring this magical place to Chicago!