WEST RIDGE — The "cat cafe" at the new $7 million Tree House Humane Society's animal community center got one step closer to City Council approval last month, and the shelter's move from Uptown to West Ridge is expected to begin within the next three months.
In February, Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) sponsored an ordinance to allow for an "animal shelter cafe permit" under city code. The council will vote on the ordinance next month.
The ordinance bans alcoholic beverages and requires the cafes to be in an enclosed area of a licensed shelter. No food can be served, just drinks such as coffee.
Only service animals are allowed to pass through the café, and drinks are meant for prospective adopters or people otherwise utilizing services at the shelter — which includes a vet clinic, classrooms and more.
In June, Jenny Schlueter, director of development at Tree House, said one floor plan for the cafe included the separately partitioned coffee room next to two additional rooms that held adoptable cats, where patrons could take their drinks and visit with the cats.
Schlueter also said her team had been working with Jordan Karcher, founder of Grounds and Hounds — a small-batch coffee brewing company that splits its profits with animal shelters — to serve as the cafe's coffee vendor.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the City Council approved the cat cafe. It was introduced to the council, but has not yet been approved.
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