Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sip & Purr Cat Café has facilitated 1,625 cat adoptions since 2019, operating in partnership with
Lakeland Animal Shelter in Delavan, Wisconsin—an organization using open community cat concepts (no cages) to facilitate adoptions for over 20 years. All adoptable cats have been spayed/neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on necessary vaccinations, tested for FIV/FELV, and given flea and parasite preventative before entering the lounge. The adoption fee is $125, with a Scholarship Adoption Program available for non-traditional, at-risk cats that would otherwise face euthanasia due to shelter space constraints or other circumstances. The cafe operates Wednesday through Saturday (12-8pm) and Sunday (12-6pm), offering both a cat lounge for interaction and a full café experience.
Cat Lounge admission provides 60 minutes of interaction with adoptable cats, with special pricing including Whisker Wednesdays and Feline Fridays ($10 cat lounge visits). The cafe features a full espresso bar where every coffee, glass of wine, or snack sold supports rescue cat efforts—visitors can enjoy beverages and treats either in the café area or in the cat lounge. Special programming includes yoga with cats and wine tastings with cats. The space maintains clear policies: children require 1:1 adult supervision (one minor per adult maximum), strollers are prohibited in the cat lounge, and waivers must be signed before entry. Reservations are highly recommended given the cats' popularity, though walk-ins are accommodated when space allows. Non-cat lovers can enjoy café service from the separate café area, which has full-wall windows overlooking the cat lounge.
Reviewers emphasize the cleanliness and friendliness of the space, describing it as "extremely clean" and noting that "staff were very friendly" and "love what they do and take care of the kitties so well." Visitors appreciate the variety of adoptable cats including kittens and older cats, and some review the café's ability to pivot to wine offerings and merchandise as creating a well-rounded experience. One reviewer mentioned being invited into employee-only areas to hold cats, suggesting staff flexibility and genuine care for visitor experience. The mix of adoption success, quality beverages, merchandise, and stress relief creates a destination praised as the perfect place for cat lovers and new adopters.