Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats
Mar 28, 2024, 10:55 AM | Updated: 2:59 pm
Four of the adoptable cats lounging around at Fawn's Family Rescue on March 27, 2024. The new cat lounge in Bountiful provides a cozy place for people to spend times with cats, regardless of whether they are looking to adopt. (Heather Peterson)
(Heather Peterson)
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Fawn’s Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge aims to provide a comfortable way for people to hang out with some feline friends, regardless of whether they are looking to adopt.
When people walk into Fawn’s Family Rescue, they are greeted by Lincoln. The 11-year-old black cat has been dubbed the senior assistant manager.
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Lincoln shares the space with more than 20 other cats. There are older cats, kittens, cats with special needs and those of all breeds and colors. You’ll see them in cubbies, on ceiling shelves or on tables.
Areah Watterson, founder of Fawn’s Family Rescue, says the nonprofit partners with local shelters and rescue vets to find the cats they are going to showcase. All the cats are fixed, vaccinated, microchipped, and health checked before they can stay at the lounge.
“We want to kind of specialize in the cats that need it the most,” Watterson expressed. “The special needs cats, and the cats that are overlooked in shelters that are there for the longest; the ones that shut down a lot in shelters, that if they were given a space like this, that’s more calm, they would open up.”
The cat lounge showcases the cats in a relaxed, low-stress environment, for both visitors and the cats.
“I think it’s a good place to relax,” Watterson said. “If you’re having a bad day, just come get your cat fix. Relax. You can do your work. We have plugs everywhere. You can read a book with a cat on your lap,” said Watterson.
She got the idea for this cat rescue lounge after one in American Fork closed. That makes Fawn’s Family Rescue one of only two cat lounges in Utah.
Gary Shu is Watterson’s husband, and he also does a lot for the non-profit. Shu said the cat lounge offers snacks, drinks, and wifi. Visitors can also bring their own food, as long as they can protect it from the furry counter-surfers.
“Our focus is not necessarily to maximize adoptions,” Shu said. “We really want to just have a space for people to come relax, study, do work; you know, a place to de-stress with a bunch of adoptable cats.”
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