In the heart of San Francisco, there’s a place where rescue cats lounge in sunny windows, visitors unwind with a cup of tea and a serotonin boost, and countless second chances quietly begin. But KitTea Rescue & Lounge is more than just a cozy cat café—it’s a community-driven rescue space built around the belief that cats deserve to be seen, understood, and celebrated.

For more than 11 years, KitTea has helped reshape the way people connect with rescue cats, creating an environment where adoption feels less intimidating, more personal, and deeply joyful. We’re so grateful to Courtney and the KitTea team for taking the time to share more about their mission, the evolution of cat cafés in the United States, and the life-changing work they continue to do for cats every day.

A Different Kind of Rescue Space

KitTea Rescue & Lounge was born from a simple but powerful idea: cats deserve more than life behind shelter bars.

Inspired by the cat café culture in Japan, Courtney envisioned a therapeutic, welcoming environment where both humans and cats could relax, connect, and thrive together.

More than a decade later, that vision is still very much alive.

Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, KitTea has become both a sanctuary for cats and a comforting community hub for people. The lounge helps rescue cats from difficult situations—including stray cats, feral cats, and cats at risk of euthanasia—while giving visitors a chance to interact with them in a calm, home-like environment.

And according to Courtney, that visibility is everything.

Helping Shape the Cat Café Movement

When KitTea first opened its doors, cat cafés were still relatively uncommon in the United States. Today, they’ve become a beloved concept across the country—and Courtney says watching that growth has been one of the organization’s proudest accomplishments.

Seeing more cafés open nationwide—and knowing those spaces are now helping save countless cats—has been incredibly meaningful for the team.

But beyond the café model itself, KitTea has also worked hard to create a culture rooted in empathy, accessibility, and community care.

Over the years, the organization has donated lounge visits to children in foster care, welcomed seniors into the space, and focused on making animal connection something healing and inclusive for people from all walks of life.

Cats, Community, and a Whole Lot of Personality

Of course, when you spend over a decade running a cat lounge, you collect stories.

A lot of stories.

According to Courtney, there have been far too many funny or memorable moments to count—but one experience from KitTea’s earliest days still stands out vividly.

The real cats, she says, were deeply confused.

That balance of humor, joy, and heartfelt connection seems woven into KitTea’s identity. Whether it’s yoga classes surrounded by cats, movie nights, watercolor events, or live cello performances in the lounge, the organization has created a space that feels playful and comforting all at once.

Their monthly calendar now includes events like:

And they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

This summer, KitTea is planning a major fundraising event featuring wine, silent auctions, and additional community programming.

The organization has also recently partnered with Full Circle Cats to offer free community education classes focused on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), helping spread awareness and support for humane feral cat management.

Rescue Without Borders

While KitTea’s physical space may be in San Francisco, its rescue network stretches far beyond city limits.

The organization works closely with San Francisco Animal Care & Control, as well as multiple rescue groups and shelters throughout California’s Central Valley. Their partnerships even extend internationally through work with Kat’s Cats Cat Sanctuary in Doha, Qatar.

That broader rescue network allows KitTea to help cats from a wide variety of backgrounds and situations, many of whom might otherwise struggle to find placement or visibility.

And while adoptions remain the ultimate goal, Courtney says maintaining public awareness continues to be one of the organization’s biggest ongoing challenges.

As with many rescues and nonprofits, community support plays a vital role in keeping the mission sustainable.

Visitors can support KitTea by:

The Most Rewarding Part

For Courtney, though, the heart of KitTea ultimately comes back to something much simpler.

The smiles.

And of course, the cats themselves.

Every cat who passes through KitTea is treated as an individual—deeply cared for, cherished, and celebrated by the team.

One of Courtney’s favorite parts of rescue work is receiving adoption updates after cats settle into their forever homes.

One particularly beloved success story involves a cat named Steve, now known as Captain Steve, who lives aboard a houseboat.

Moments like those are what continue to fuel the work after more than eleven years.

How to Support KitTea Rescue & Lounge

Readers interested in visiting, supporting, volunteering, or learning more about KitTea Rescue & Lounge can find everything they need through the organization’s website.

From lounge bookings and private events to volunteer opportunities, cat-themed gifts, and donation information, KitTea continues creating meaningful ways for people to connect with rescue cats—and with each other.

You can learn more at kitteasf.org and follow them on Instagram at @kittea_sf and Facebook