Bohemian CATsody: The Perfect Event For Feline Fans

Bohemian CATsody is a fundraiser to open The Purrista Cat Cafe, a collaboration between local entrepreneur Dena Rupp and Because You Care animal shelter. The business model originated in Japan and features a special closed-off section with cats and kittens to mingle in addition to a more traditional cafe setting.

Saturday, Oct. 5

A new coffee shop experience is coming to Erie, but it's not your typical café. Dena Rupp is making her dreams a reality by raising money to open the Purrista Cat Café, initially as a pop-up. The Purrista Cat Café will host a fundraising event called Bohemian CATsody, with two different tickets tiers available: general admission for $15 or VIP for $40. VIP tickets include painting a beautiful animal sugar skull with local artist (and Steadfast tattoo artist) Rachel Travis. The event will feature food, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), prizes, activity booths, and of course cats and kittens to play with.

Now, you're probably wondering what exactly a cat café is and what it will offer. Springing up in Japan during the mid-2000s, many cities in the U.S. began to replicate this memorable business model stateside. Rupp explained that a cat café will be just like a normal café, but have a closed off section with cats from Because You Care (a local animal shelter). You can either buy a drink and enjoy it in the café section or bring your beverage into the cat section and make some new friends. Dena choose cats for her café because "cats are not only easier to maintain — but there is also more of a need to adopt them out, especially in comparison to dogs." It's an amazing way to help calm people, give the cats lots of attention, and hopefully find that feline their forever home. — Lauren Demko

1 p.m. to 6 p.m. // Bastion Studios, 2016 Peach St. // $15 general admission, $40 VIP // purristacatcafe.com