Tinker’s Cat Café, located in downtown Salt Lake City, is home to just five employees, but is making a difference in the lives of cats. This LGBTQ-friendly cafe is home to shelter cats ready to be adopted.
Through a partnership with Salt Lake County Animal Services, these cats are moved to Tinker’s and are cared for by staff until they are prepared to be taken home by a loving person. Tinker’s has already helped 572 cats find a new home since its opening in 2017.
The cafe also offers unique classes for customers to learn something new alongside these kittens. These classes include Yoga and Cats, Cats and Paint, and Crochet and Cats.
The cafe’s drinks are inspired by cats with names such as Meow, Calico and Sphynx. You also have other options such as tea and frozen lemonade. One of the employees, Sage, recommends the Siamese for anyone stopping by for a drink.
Jack, another employee, said Tinker’s also has a partnership in City Cakes & Cafe, which brings fresh seasonal items such as sugar cookies, muffins and cakes. There are vegan and gluten-free options to fit your lifestyle.
An hour session with the cats costs $9 per person while a half-hour costs $6. Activities available include cat playtime with the toys provided, coloring or reading. Tinker’s also has a children’s hour for guests who do not have much experience around animals.
One of the cats currently up for adoption is Star, a white and gray cat who loves to be pet behind the ears. Another is Misha, a calico kitten who loves to sleep. The last is Cookie, a gray tabby male who loves to be with others and be social. You can adopt any of them directly at the cafe. To adopt, you must be 21, make a $50 deposit and sign two forms.
Tinker’s also works with local artists to make and sell art of the cats. One artist is Ariel Chu-Jon, who makes portraits of the cats and sells them in the shop. Chu-Jon said she gets 70% of the profits and the other 30% goes to the cats. Stickers, pins, cat ears and pens can also be found in the Cafe.
Employees Jack and Sage both agree the best part of the cafe is watching the cats being adopted. They feel good knowing they went to good homes.
