Just six months after opening, Hunter’s Kitten Lounge has become a go-to spot for cat lovers, offering a cozy space to relax and adopt.

The lounge, located at 5319 E. Speedway Blvd., is an extension of Southern Arizona Cat Rescue, a Tucson-based nonprofit and feline foster home. The rescue and lounge focus on fostering kittens, mother cats with babies and special needs cats. 

It’s named after founder Melissa Lesinsky’s cat, Hunter, who had special needs. 

“We originally did not have a name for it, and then when Hunter passed away, we had to name it after him,” she said. 

As part of SACR, Hunter’s brings in cats across the state who are in unfortunate situations. When cats get adopted at Hunter’s, Lesinsky can quickly bring in others from the rescue.

This approach has helped the lounge exceed its adoption expectations. 

Lesinsky and Rachel Tomlinson, another SACR worker and foster mom, were surprised by the number of adoptions. They expected five to 10 each month, but have instead adopted out that number of cats to permanent homes each week. 

“We had a group of cats from Yuma in October get here, and I had five of the cats get adopted in two days,” Lesinsky said.

Many of the cats that come in are from Yuma and are on euthanasia lists. Yuma’s shelters are overcrowded, forcing them to euthanize animals to make space for new arrivals. The lounge offers those cats a second chance.

The lounge has also seen many adult cat adoptions, which is unusual as kittens are typically adopted much more quickly. The staff believes the time spent bonding with cats at the lounge helps people form connections with the adults.

“It’s so much easier for people to fall in love. We’ve had people come in looking for kittens and leave with an eight-year-old,” Lesinsky said.

Building Community

In addition to adoptions, the lounge is a hub for the community. Its strong social media presence has created fans. 

“So many people come in here, and they’re like, ‘Oh, I follow you guys all the time on Instagram,’ and they know all the cats,” Tomlinson said. 

She added that the work ethic and dedication of the volunteers have contributed to the success of the lounge.

The space also offers frequent events, including bingo nights, movie nights and craft activities, which regularly sell out.

“People who maybe don’t understand the point of a cat café and wouldn’t necessarily enjoy a cat café, they come to the events so that they can enjoy cats, have the connection with the community and can make their donation,” Lesinsky said.

Many events come about spontaneously, like an upcoming bed-making class taught by a volunteer. 

“A foster of ours came in, and she saw I have [a cat bed] for sale up front, and she was like, ‘Oh, I can teach people how to make these,’ and I was like, ‘Okay!’ So we’re just doing a class with that,” Lesinsky said. 

She calls the lounge a “community fundraiser space.”

Volunteers also have a robust community and feel connected to their work, said Janice McGregor, a volunteer at the shelter. She said she feels welcomed and appreciated in the space.

The strong volunteer community reflects how much the owners care for the people and the cats in the space, she added.

McGregor primarily works on Mondays and participates in the deep clean day. Most events at the lounge occur over the weekend, so Mondays are designated for tidying up the space.

“It’s hard work, but you’re getting to know the cats at the same time,” she said.

Getting to know the cats and the immediate satisfaction of her work draws her back, McGregor said.

“As a human being, I need that. I need to know I made an impact. I get that in other hobbies, but here it’s immediate,” she said. 

As the lounge approaches its anniversary this summer, Lesinsky said she has no plans for expansion. She likes how things are going. 

Now, she is preparing for kitten season, as abandoned and bottle-fed kittens are beginning to appear at the rescue.

New visitors and cat lovers are always welcome, she said. 

The café is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information about hours and upcoming events or to reserve a spot at the lounge, visit www.hunterskittenlounge.org.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.