THE CURIOUS TALE OF CATS AND BOXES
The curious tales of cats and boxes — including five reasons for this cardboard love affair backed by science.
All Things Cats in Boston, Catsachusetts
If there’s anything Bostonians love more than Dunkin Donuts and the Red Sox, it’s cats!
The city is well-known for its love of felines, offering everything from cat cafes and cat museums to volunteer opportunities and seasonal events featuring cats.
Boston is even No. 6 on our list of Top Cat Kingdoms (aka the U.S. cities that use the most cat litter). So let’s dive in to see what life is like for cats and cat lovers in Boston.
How many cats are there in Boston?
From the fragrant smells of fresh lobster by the pier to bird and squirrel watching in The Commons, Boston is a city cat’s dream.
In terms of pet ownership, 365,800 households in the Boston area have at least 1 cat. That’s 19% of the nearly 2 million households in the area, putting Boston in the top 4 metro areas with the most cats.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston estimates that there are 700,000 “community cats” (feral, semi-feral, and outdoor cats) throughout Massachusetts. And Boston is home to 10% of the state’s community cat population (70,000).
Where to get some cat cuddles and caffeine in Boston
If you enjoy a spot of coffee or tea with your cat gazing, you’re in luck! Boston and nearby cities have jumped on the cat cafe train and new ones are popping up every year.
A Sanctuary Cafe, located in Beacon Hill near the Charles River, is a must-see cat cafe and bookstore. Besides the adorable resident cats, reviewers also rave about the wicked good locally-sourced coffee and pastries.
The cats at A Sanctuary Cafe are rescued from the streets and become permanent residents of the cafe. Unfortunately, that means the cats are not up for adoption, but there’s a good reason for that. According to the owners, “Since we will be introducing these cats to new, adoring fans every day, making the rest of their lives as predictable and enjoyable as possible is extremely important.”
@forkingwitharmani I checked out Beacon Hill’s newest gem, A Sanctuary Cafe! The cafe offers locally sourced coffees, teas, and baked goods alongside a carefully curated bookstore. The Cafe/Bookstore also hosts adorable resident cats that were all rescued! They’re currently open this week, Wednesday-Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Reservations for the cat lounge are not available yet, but definitely sign up for their newsletter to find out when reservations open. 📚☕🐾 📍80 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
♬ Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Just a short drive from Boston, you’ll find the Kitty Cat Cafe and Adoption Lounge in Peabody. The cats here are up for adoption and the cafe frequently features work from local artists. There’s also the Lazy Cat Lounge cafe and gift shop in Lowell, where some cats are permanent residents and some are available for adoption.
Shelters and adoption centers
Located in Jamaica Plain, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is a highly-respected animal hospital and adoption center, and also a proud GiveLitter® shelter partner.
They have a massive network, including the MPSCA Boston Adoption Center, an urgent care center, 24/7 emergency services, and even a law enforcement department that handles animal cruelty cases.
Not far from Boston you’ll find a handful of other GiveLitter® shelter partners — the amazing staff at MSPCA at Nevins Farms in Methuen, the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society in Salisbury, and Worcester Animal Rescue League.
There’s also the Animal Rescue League of Boston, located near the Back Bay/South End area of Boston. The ARL is primarily an adoption center, but they also handle animal cruelty cases and provide community care services.
If you’re up for a short drive, also check out The Cat Connection in Waltham.
@mspca.angell Our fee waived event for hard to place cats starts today (Friday, July 19th!) and runs through Saturday July 19! So many of our shy cats would LOVE to go home with other cats, in fact they’d prefer it, so there’s no need to hide them! The event is during open hours at all 4 of our adoption centers and you can see which cats are fee waived by visiting our website and looking for the star⭐️
♬ original sound – Daily Mail
The facility rescues strays and abandoned cats and often holds interesting fundraising events, like CatVideoFest.
And if coffee and culinary delights are more your thing, head to A Sanctuary Cafe on Charles St. and make a reservation to hang in their cat lounge.
Boston-based cat events
Every year, there is at least one cat-focused event in Boston, and a fan favorite is definitely Catstravaganza!
This gathering features a competition where kitties of all different breeds strut their stuff down a catwalk for a chance to win prizes. There are also vendors, merch tables, presentations, and other activities that will make any cat lover purr!
Take a drive to Salem
We can’t talk about cats in Boston without a shout out to Salem, Massachusetts!
You’ve probably met a few black cats named Salem, thanks to the character from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The name is more than suitable since the Witch City is known for its all-year-long spookiness! You’ll see black cat motifs and artwork (and real cats!) all over the city.
A highlight of the city is the must-see Salem Cat Museum. You’ll find permanent artifacts, special exhibits, and interactive experiences all focused on our beloved four-legged kitties. And let’s not forget another GiveLitter™ Shelter partner — the MSPCA Northeast Animal Shelter.
@catmuseumnyc An exclusive tour of the Mini Meowseum! See the life-size version Thursday-Monday 11-6 at the Salem Cat Museum. #salem #catmuseum #cats #catart ♬ Countless – Official Sound Studio
Random facts about cats and Boston
- Six-toed cats are extremely common in the Boston area. Experts call it an established mutation.
- Cats are not native to America. In the 1600s, colonists brought them over on ships to control vermin. But they became beloved house pets in the 18th century.
- Despite the stereotypes you may have heard, cats in Massachusetts do not meow with Boston accents. But they are big fans of lobster rolls!
Got any other cool connections between Cats & BostoN to share?
Leave some in the comments below:
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