Here’s how you can visit the cats at Gem City Catfé

The cat is out of the bag -- Dayton’s first cat catfe is open and purring.

But how do you, a lover of kitties and cups of joe, experience the Gem City Catfe?

Karen Gudal-Johnson, the co-owner of the business at 513 E. Fifth St. in Dayton’s St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, says it is pretty easy and so is the concept.

>> Dayton first cat cafe opened 

“It is half coffee house and half cat rescue,” she said of the business. “We have a full espresso bar, teas and other assorted beverages and bakery items.”

Cats are in a toy-filled habitat that can be viewed through glass. Customers can also visit and play with them in their room.

>> Meet Gem City Catfe’s first tenants 

“We recommend a reservation, but we do take walk-ins,” Gudal-Johnson said. “We are doing this because it is good for cats and it is good for people.”

🐱 HOW DO I SEE THE CATS? 

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

There is a $10 fee to visit the cats. The fee is $5 for members. An annual membership is $25.

Visit can be booked in person, by phone at 937-949-9170 or online on Gem City Catfe's website.

Johnson said a maximum of 12 people can be in the cat room at once. That’s a one-to-one person-to-cat ratio.

The room typically has 12 cats, three of which are permanent residents.

🐱 HOW TO GO

Where: Gem City Catfe, 513 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Info: Website | Facebook | IG | Twitter | Pinterest

🐱 WHEN IS THE CATFE OPEN?

The coffee shop and adoption center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

>> Photos of the Gem City Cat Catfe 

OTHER CATTY CAFES 

🐱 StreetCats, a volunteer-driven organization, is planning to open a "cat cafe" at 14 N. Third St. in downtown Fairborn this January.

>> MORE: Fairborn getting its very own cat cafe

The cafe/cat resource center is part of a tactical approach between the city and several agencies to address the community’s stray and homeless cat population.

It will allow people a chance to play with cats, Fairborn City Manager Rob Anderson said in the recent Facebook Live message he delivered while covered in purring cats and kittens.

Info: Facebook | Twitter 

🐱 Kitty Brew Cafe in Mason is partnering with Animal Friends Humane Society to find homes for cats.

Where: Kitty Brew Cafe, 6011 Tylersville Road, Mason

Info: Website | Facebook | IG | Twitter | Pinterest

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe

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