Find cuddles and coffee at this cozy cafe opening this month in Perry.
Paws Awhile, the first cat cafe in central Georgia, is a bright, cheerful space that lets visitors drink coffee and eat while spending time with free-roaming cats in the cat lounge.
If you’re not familiar with the concept of a cat cafe, it’s not just for people who like to drink coffee while a cat curls in their lap. A cat cafe also acts as a home for cats until they find their forever home.
Paws Awhile partners with three nearby animal shelters: the Humane Society of Houston County, Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue, and The Rescue Ranch. Cats from these shelters that have reached at least six months of age and been thoroughly vetted and spayed/neutered will live at Paws Awhile until they are adopted. All cat adoptions will go through the partner rescue agency. Paws Awhile will keep about ten to fifteen cats at a time, and those that are adopted will be replaced with other cats in need of a home. This allows potential pet parents to get to know cats in a calming and less stressful environment rather than going to a shelter.
Photos by Nirzar Pangarkar and Manki Kim
But you don’t have to want to adopt to visit—you can just like being around cats! Paws Awhile is perfect for renters who can’t have pets, students needing a relaxing place to study, tourists who miss their pets at home, and anyone needing cuddles and a calm environment.
Paws Awhile features two main areas, the cafe side, and the cat side, so you won’t have to worry about cat hair in your coffee or pet odors when visiting. On the cafe side, you can order pre-packaged food and drinks and watch the cats play through large viewing windows. The cat side is a large living room, a comfortable place for people and cats to relax, with furry rugs, couches, cat trees, wall perches, scratching posts, and cat toys.
For a fee, you can take your coffee and food into the lounge for 50 minutes and hang out with the kitties. A ticket is required and can be purchased at the cafe. To ensure availability, book online and prepay on their website (pawsawhilecatcafe.com/book-cat-lounge). There, you can also review age limits, rules, and tips to make the most of your experience. Special events and large groups can book the entire lounge.
They also have cute cat merchandise: jewelry, purses, totes, pajamas, slippers, cat toys, mugs, and more.
Rebecca Marfell, a local realtor and former licensed veterinary technician, has always loved cats and clung to the desire to open her own cat cafe one day. A visit to Pounce Cat Cafe in Savannah inspired her to go for it. Despite initial nerves about the venture, the enthusiastic response from the community has bolstered her confidence.
Rebecca says, “No one leaves sad. You will always leave with a smile on your face when you come here.”
Go by yourself, with friends, or gift a visit to someone who needs cat love in their life.
Paws Awhile is located at 1200 Macon Road in Perry.
Operating hours are
Monday - Wednesday: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday - Saturday: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday: 11:30 am - 6:00 pm
For the most current information, visit their website, pawsawhilecatcafe.com, and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.