The Sault's Cat-urday Cafe

Located inside Thyne's Family Bakery on Gore Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, The Sault's Cat-urday Cafe represents the city's first-ever dedicated cat cafe, launching as a unique partnership between the established bakery (serving the community since 2004) and the local volunteer-based non-profit rescue T.A.A.G. (The Animal Assistance Group). The cafe occupies its own separate room within the bakery, maintaining strict operational boundaries to ensure food safety while creating a comfortable, home-like environment for adoptable rescue cats. This collaborative model allows Thyne's Bakery to provide facility oversight and daily operational support while T.A.A.G. contributes their expertise in animal rescue, rehabilitation protocols, and volunteer staffing. The result is a thoughtfully designed space that differs fundamentally from traditional shelter environments—rather than housing cats in cages, the cafe provides social, open accommodations where cats' personalities can flourish, making visibility and adoption rates higher while creating room at rescue facilities to help additional animals in need.

Every cat placed in the Cat-urday Cafe undergoes rigorous behavioral and medical screening by T.A.A.G., ensuring only social, well-socialized felines (typically over 5 months old) join the lounge. All cats arrive spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccines including FeLV testing, wormed, flea-treated, and in good overall health. On-site cat nannies maintain constant supervision, monitoring eating and drinking habits, applying grooming schedules, and implementing strict cleaning and sanitation protocols to ensure thriving conditions. The lounge maintains a "quiet zone" atmosphere with explicit rules protecting cat welfare: no picking up cats unless they approach you first, no flash photography, and no running or chasing. Visitors are encouraged to use hand sanitizer and practice gentle interactions. Reviewers consistently praised the cafe's warm, welcoming atmosphere and the genuine care evident in both the space and staff interactions, with one noting the owner "goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels safe and cared for" while bringing "such a fun, quirky energy" that made the visit memorable. The cats themselves are described as "sweet and adorable," with the environment naturally calming and meditative for visitors of all ages.

The Sault's Cat-urday Cafe is located at 177 Gore Street in Sault Ste. Marie and operates Wednesday through Saturday 10:30am–6pm and Sunday 11:30am–2pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Entry costs CAD$5 per person for a 50-minute session; children under 4 are free. Sessions begin on the hour to allow time for check-in, waiver signing, and orientation. Visitors must wear shoes and socks at all times; one adult per child under 6 is required. Thyne's Bakery, completely separate from the cat lounge, offers fresh-baked goods, specialty coffee drinks, sandwiches, soups, pastries, ice cream, and shakes prepared daily on-site. The cafe features its own separate air intake and conditioning system from the bakery to maintain hygiene standards. Cat treats are available for purchase. Walk-ins are welcome but phone reservations are encouraged and recommended for weekends, holidays, and larger groups; call (705) 575-4475 to book. Adoption through T.A.A.G. costs CAD$125 (includes spay/neuter, FeLV test, vaccines, deworming, and defleaing), with a $25 refund available for kittens upon proof of spay/neuter completion. The adoption process typically takes about 2 weeks to ensure proper matching. The cafe hosts frequent special events including Crafting With Cats, Paint Parties, Trivia Night, Cribbage, and seasonal holiday-themed events—follow their Facebook page for updates.