My name is Cara Appelhans and I am a resident of Ada with a simple goal: to save the lives of local cats by giving them a "living room" instead of a cage. I am founding The Ada Cat Cafe Project, a non-profit initiative designed to be the ultimate bridge between the shelter and a forever home.

Why Ada Needs This

Our local and rural shelters do incredible work, but they are often at capacity. Traditional shelter environments can be stressful for cats—especially the shy ones—making it harder for them to show their true personalities to potential adopters.

The Ada Cat Cafe will be a cage-free lounge where adoptable cats from our partners at PAWS (Pontotoc Animal Welfare Society) can roam, play, and socialize in a home-like environment. Whether you are an ECU student looking for a study buddy or a family looking for a new best friend, this will be a space where connections happen naturally over a cup of coffee.

What We Are Raising Funds For

Opening a cat cafe is unique because it requires meeting strict health and zoning codes to keep the "cats" and the "cafe" safely separated. We have decided to move forward with a standalone building to ensure we have total control over the cats' safety and comfort.

Your donations will go directly toward our "Founding Phase" goals:

Securing a Location: Initial lease and deposit for a building in or near downtown Ada.

The "Cat-Proof" Buildout: Installing the necessary "double-door" entries and specialized ventilation systems required by health codes.

Non-Profit Setup: Finalizing our 501(c)(3) status so all future donations are tax-deductible.

Cat Comfort: Climbing walls, cozy beds, and high-quality nutrition for our residents.

Join the "Founding 100"

Every dollar brings us closer to opening our doors. By donating, you aren't just building a cafe—you are creating a permanent rescue hub that will increase adoption rates and save lives in Pontotoc County for years to come.

Please consider donating and sharing our story with your friends, family, and fellow cat lovers!

​⭐ UPDATE (March 27): We are officially INCORPORATED! Milestone #1 is met—check out our latest Update post for the big news! ⭐