Cat cafe owner branching out with non-profit, expansion in effort to foster more well-being

After 18 months operating the Coachella Valley’s first-and-only cat cafe, Claire Rogers is discovering that her business is not just about felines, it’s about the community. Now, she aims to expand the business to further serve that community.

“Our initial aim was to increase the visibility of shelter cats for adoption,” explains Rogers. “But our vision has grown to encompass the well-being of our community. We are a for-profit business, but our heart beats for the community. 

“For instance, we provide free use of our cat lounge to foster children and their therapists, and we waive our cat lounge fees and offer free beverages and baked goods for those facing tough times such as divorce, bankruptcy, or health issues. We aspire to extend this support on a larger scale.”

To make their dream a reality, Rogers and her partner, Sonny Von Cleveland, created a hybrid model that keeps the cafe as a for-profit business while starting a non-profit wing called Frisky Business Cares Inc.

The nonprofit wing of the Frisky Business Palm Springs Cat Cafe aims to facilitate the adoption of shelter, hospice, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), senior cats, and kittens, providing them with the necessary care to find their forever homes. It will also host educational workshops on feline behavior and care, empowering cat lovers to become advocates for feline welfare. Finally, it will support marginalized youth and foster children through community programs.

Rogers currently offers paid internship programs for neurodiverse individuals and justice-impacted youth, fostering their personal and professional growth. She plans to expand her internship program to more individuals through the non-profit.

Also planned is expansion of the for-profit cafe by 1,500 square feet at its current location in Rimrock Plaza off East Palm Canyon Drive. It will generate income from coffee and food sales, merchandise, therapy room rentals, private event rentals, cat boarding, and private coaching services.

Rogers explained that the diverse approach not only ensures the financial stability of the cafe but also strengthens the mission of Frisky Business Cares, Inc. The integration of the for-profit and nonprofit arms of the overall business will provide a comprehensive approach to feline welfare and community enrichment. 

Rogers said she is confident that by uniting these efforts, Frisky Business is poised to make a significant impact, providing love and care to cats while fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for people.  

Though Rogers is still waiting for the IRS to designate Frisky Business Cares Inc. as a non-profit, she has already applied for several grants. She intends to make a bigger difference in the community by starting the expansion as soon as possible.  

“The overarching goal is to help more kitty cats and help more people, and I think this is the best way I can,” she said. 

---

For more details on how to help Frisky Business benefit the Coachella Valley community, visit this page.

---