Located in downtown Pasadena, Tail Town Cats is more than just a cat shelter. It’s a unique space where cats and people can interact. The cats aren’t caged, but roam freely, and customers can interact with the cats and enjoy various activities. They also offer adoption and foster care.
Started by a mother and daughter, the business began simply to care for cats and place them in good homes. As a nonprofit, it relies on donations to support the cats and volunteers, not profiting from the community.
Gwen Mathers, the shelter’s executive director, explains that the founders chose the Pasadena community for its spacious and cozy atmosphere, which led them to convert their former Pilates shop into a temporary home for the cats.
“The Pasadena community is amazing,” she said. “It’s a small space, but it’s enough to make the cats and people feel comfortable together.” The space is divided into cat play areas, rest areas, and adoption event areas, providing a comfortable environment for both visitors and cats.
The uniqueness of Tall Town Cats lies not just in the space itself. The cats roam freely and interact with people, and visitors can participate in a variety of creative and wellness activities, in addition to adoption opportunities.
Regular events like yoga classes, painting sessions–which are called “Whiskers & Watercolors,” and film screening and discussion are held, and flyers are distributed to encourage community participation. These programs go beyond mere adoptions, connecting the community and providing visitors with fun and creative experiences.
The business is also driven by the passion of its staff and volunteers. Volunteers like Erica Collier help clean cages, prepare cat meals, and handle adoption related tasks every Sunday. “I enjoy learning more about cats and spending time with them. It’s a positive and fun space,” she said.
The volunteers and staff share a common mission: carefully discussing which home will provide the best future for every cat. The team is collaborative, meticulously considering and discussing each cat’s best home.
Thanks to these efforts, Tail Town Cats goes beyond simply helping with adoptions and has a positive impact on the community. Visitors can destress, engage in creative activities, and connect with the community by interacting with the cats.Mathers doesn’t define business success simply as financial stability. For her, true success comes from donations, adoptions, and the positive impact they make on the community and the cats.
If you’re in Pasadena, visit Tail Town Cats. You can meet new feline friends or participate in events like painting classes, film screenings, and yoga classes. The impact this small space can have is a testament to the extraordinary difference a community and a passion for animals can make.
