LOOKING FOR KITTENS AND COFFEE IN WASILLA? THERE’S A CAFÉ FOR THAT

A new cat café in Wasilla is already making a difference for local felines—helping more than half a dozen cats find their forever homes since opening in late July.

The Alaska Cat Café, located on Lucille Street, combines a cozy café serving coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods with a lounge space where visitors can interact with adoptable cats from local rescues, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and the community.

Owner Tahlya Rice was inspired to open the café after visiting one in Hawaii. “A tiny kitten named Maggie curled up on my shoulder and fell asleep,” she recalled. “I knew I wanted to bring that joy to my hometown.”

More than 20 cats—mostly kittens—roam freely in the lounge, offering guests a relaxed and interactive adoption experience. “Unlike shelters, where cats are often anxious or confined, here they’re calm and playful,” said Rice. “It gives people a better chance to connect with the real personality of each cat.”

The café charges $15 for an hour or $10 for 30 minutes, with reservations recommended due to a 10-person capacity. Adoption fees range from $100 to $200, depending on the source of the cat. Partnering animal hospitals provide health checks, vaccines, and discounted spay/neuter services.

With Alaska facing what local rescues call a “homeless cat crisis,” Rice hopes the café can be part of the solution—offering not only coffee and comfort but a second chance for the state’s growing population of stray and feral cats.