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Somewhere in a small South Jersey town, a black cat named Mr. Boo Boo has been winning hearts one visit at a time. He is not a mascot or a pet.
He is a rescue waiting for a family, and he shares a room with other cats doing the same thing. A short drive from Cherry Hill, a cozy café lets you book time with these cats, toss them treats, and maybe find your next best friend.
Every dollar from the cat room goes right back to their care. The setup is simple, the price is friendly, and the whole outing fits easily into a Saturday.
Keep reading to learn how the visits work, what it costs, which details make the place so charming, and why so many cats here leave with new families faster than you might expect.
A Rescue Hangout on the White Horse Pike
South Jersey had been waiting a long time for this one. Calico Cat Café sits at 918 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107, in the United States, and it holds the title of the first cat café in South Jersey.
Oaklyn is a small borough right near Cherry Hill. That makes it an easy drive for families across Camden County and beyond.
The idea is refreshingly simple. One side of the business is a café with seating, drinks, and snacks.
The other side is a separate cat room where rescue cats lounge, play, and wait for adopters. Guests book time with the cats, then relax in the café before or after.
Every cat in the room is available for adoption. So a casual coffee break can turn into a life-changing afternoon for a furry resident.
Some guests drive over an hour just to spend time here. Others pop in from down the street, since the café sits right next to a Wawa and close to other local spots.
The place keeps generous hours, too. It opens at 9 AM and stays open until 9 PM every day of the week, which leaves plenty of room for a weekend plan.
Second Chances from Homeward Bound
Behind every whisker here is a story about a shelter cat getting a fresh start. The cats come from Homeward Bound Adoption Center in Blackwood, a short drive away in South Jersey.
Shelter cats are placed at the café so they can socialize with people. That time out in the open helps them feel comfortable and gives them a better shot at finding homes.
The system seems to work well. Regulars who come back often notice how quickly the cats get adopted between visits.
That means the lineup changes over time. A cat you meet in spring might be curled up in a family living room by summer.
Some residents have special stories. One sweet senior girl named Sable, about seven years old, has cerebral palsy and wobbles when she walks, yet she happily claims a beanbag chair for naps.
Adoption is never a requirement for a visit. Many guests come simply to enjoy the cats, and the money they spend still helps.
Families who are ready, though, can start the process right in the room. It might be the cutest job interview in New Jersey.
Twelve Dollars and Thirty Minutes
Here is the number budget-minded families want first. A half-hour visit in the cat room costs $12.
All proceeds from that time go toward caring for the cats. So your ticket is less of an entry fee and more of a contribution.
Visits are booked in 30-minute segments. Guests can choose a half hour or stretch it to a full hour.
Plenty of people pick the hour and still say it flies by. Cats have a way of eating up the clock.
Packages make things easy for groups. One option bundles a half hour with cat treats and ramen, and many families call it well worth the money.
A group of four once booked a one-hour session with treats and the ramen bundle for about $100 total. That gives a rough sense of a full outing for a family.
Costs can add up for frequent trips, especially for anyone on a fixed income. A half-hour visit keeps things lighter on the wallet.
Prices can change, so a quick check of the website before heading out is a smart move.
Why Reservations Are the Golden Ticket
Spontaneity is lovely, but cats keep a schedule too. Only a limited number of people can be inside the cat room at one time.
That cap keeps things calm for the rescues. It also explains why booking ahead on the website is the best plan.
Opening week taught that lesson quickly. Guests who arrived without a reservation sometimes missed out, while those who booked had a great time.
The good news is that the limit creates a nice balance. Regulars mention there is always a good ratio of people to cats, so nobody ends up waiting around for a turn with a kitty.
Treats can be added right to your reservation. That small extra step pays off once you are inside.
Weekend slots are popular with families. Booking a few days early helps lock in a time that works with nap schedules, both human and feline.
Walk-ins still have options. You can grab a drink or snack in the café and watch the cats through the window with no appointment needed.
Planning ahead simply guarantees the up-close part of the visit.
Treat Time Turns You Into a Celebrity
Nothing makes you popular faster than a spoon of cat treats. Once treats come out, the cats tend to crowd around for a lick.
Guests who skipped treats often wish they had added them. It is an easy upgrade at booking time.
Some visits go even further. One family hung out with eight kittens and got to help feed them dinner as well as treats.
For kids, that hands-on moment can be the highlight of the day. It turns a quiet room into a lively little party.
The cat room also comes stocked with plenty of toys. Wand toys and other playthings give shy cats a reason to come out and join in.
Volunteers in the room help guide guests along the way. They show newcomers how to approach the cats and keep interactions comfortable.
Staff members often share each cat’s name, age, and any behavior quirks. That makes it easier to connect with the right cat for your mood.
Bring patience and a steady hand, and the treat line forms all on its own.
Sleepy Cats and Gentle Ground Rules
Fair warning for anyone expecting nonstop action. About half the cats may be napping at any given moment.
That is part of the charm, honestly. These are rescues settling into a calm space, and a snoozing cat is a relaxed cat.
The room is built with their comfort in mind. Cats get comfy furniture to lounge in, plenty of perches, and large windows with sills for lazy watching.
Cats are free to roam and choose their own company. Guests who sit quietly often find a curious face wandering over eventually.
Gentleness matters here. Because the cats are rescues, a soft touch helps them enjoy the visit as much as you do.
Kids do best with a quick pep talk before going in. Calm hands and indoor voices go a long way.
The cats that are awake tend to be friendly and happy to accept a good petting. Some are playful, while others prefer to supervise.
Patience is the real admission price, and it is always worth paying.
Murals, Paintings, and Paper Fish
Cat lovers might need a moment before even reaching the cats. The artwork is everywhere.
Murals cover the walls, and cat paintings fill nearly every open space. Even the ceiling joins the party with its own art.
The storefront windows feature painted cat designs too. That makes the café easy to spot from the White Horse Pike.
Much of the work comes from local artists. It gives the room a homegrown, community feel that matches the rescue mission.
Small surprises reward curious guests. Paper mache cats and fish hang in the bathroom, which might be the most whimsical restroom decor in Camden County.
The colorful style keeps the space cheerful. Guests describe the whole place as having a big, artistic personality.
A few folks have wished for dimmer lighting in the main room. That is more of a personal taste thing than a complaint.
Either way, the art gives everyone something to admire while waiting for a cat room slot.
A Ramen Bar with Endless Toppings
Most cafés stop at pastries. This one went all in on noodles.
The ramen bar offers a big variety of instant ramen choices. Guests can then customize bowls with lots of toppings and seasonings.
The ramen is not premade, which keeps it simple. The fun comes from building your own bowl just the way you like it.
Families say it is generous and affordable. It works as a quick lunch after a cat session or a warm-up on a chilly South Jersey day.
Staff members are happy to walk first-timers through the setup. A few minutes of help and you are a topping expert.
Ramen also appears in the visit packages. Bundling it with cat time and treats is a popular move for groups and families.
Kids especially enjoy picking out flavors. It adds a little hands-on activity beyond the cat room.
Noodles and kittens may sound like an odd pairing, yet somehow it just works.
What Lands in Your Cup
Let’s set expectations about that latte. This is a relaxed, casual café, not a full espresso bar with a barista.
Hot coffee comes from a self-serve dispenser at around $3.50 a cup. The beans are good, and the coffee gets solid praise.
Tea drinkers have options too. The selection includes brands like Celestial Seasonings and Twinings.
Boba drinks are on the menu as well. So are dirty sodas with add-ins and toppings, which are a fun pick for teens.
Snacks round things out. A cat cake pop is one of the sweet extras worth trying.
Some guests wish the drink lineup were bigger. Others find the simple menu plenty for a cozy visit.
Coffee or tea pairs nicely with a seat by the window. From there, you can watch the cats playing next door without booking a session.
It is a low-key setup that keeps the spotlight right where it belongs, on the cats.
Board Games, Books, and Fast Wifi
Not every visit needs to be all cats, all the time. The café area has its own reasons to linger.
A cozy corner holds board games and books. Many are cat-themed, plus favorites like Bananagrams, Scrabble, and Twister.
There is even a miniature library of cat books. It is a handy distraction for kids waiting on their turn in the cat room.
The chairs are comfortable and clean. That makes the space friendly for longer stays.
Students and remote workers have discovered another perk. The wifi is fast, which makes it possible to study with occasional cat breaks.
Music stays laid back, keeping the mood easygoing. Many guests call the space relaxing and chill.
One small heads-up for sensitive noses: as with any cat café, a faint litter scent can be noticeable. Most people adjust quickly.
Between games, books, and the window view of the cat room, the café easily fills an afternoon.
Owners and Staff Who Know Every Cat
A small business shows its heart through the people behind the counter. Here, the owners are hands-on and like getting to know their guests.
They answer questions and check in during visits. That personal touch makes first-timers feel welcome right away.
The staff clearly cares about the cats. Workers share names, ages, and personality notes so guests know who they are meeting.
Volunteers help out inside the cat room too. They keep things calm and guide guests on how to interact.
Families with kids appreciate that support. It turns the visit into a gentle lesson in caring for animals.
The space is also kept very clean. That detail matters a lot to parents and cat lovers alike.
Many guests return several times, bringing new family members along each time. Some even end up volunteering themselves.
Those prospective adopters get a real advantage here. Staff knowledge helps match each cat with the right home, which is the whole point.
A South Jersey Weekend Worth Booking
So who is this outing for? Just about anyone with a soft spot for cats.
Families get a hands-on animal experience at a fair price. Couples get a cozy date with ramen, games, and furry company.
Friends make a fun group trip of it. Solo guests can work, read, or simply relax.
Hours run from 9 AM to 9 PM daily, though times may shift, so check the website before you go. Booking cat room time ahead is the safest bet.
Oaklyn makes it easy to extend the day. An art studio, a theater, and an ice cream spot are nearby, with a Wawa right next door.
The best part is what your visit supports. Every cat room dollar goes toward rescue cat care.
Some guests leave with smiles and photos. Others eventually leave with paperwork and a new family member.
Either way, Calico Cat Café proves that a simple coffee stop can give a shelter cat a real shot at home, and that is a weekend plan worth purring about.
