ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — RipVanWhisker Cat Café has partnered with Friends of Giuseppe, a Pleasantville-based nonprofit, to bring adoptable rescue cats to the business when it opens in Atlantic City.
Friends of Giuseppe will serve as the café’s rescue partner and help provide cats available for adoption. The organization works to address the number of homeless cats through trap-neuter-return efforts, care and adoption.
Under the partnership, Friends of Giuseppe will evaluate cats to determine whether they should be returned to their outdoor environment or placed for adoption. Cats considered suitable for adoption may eventually meet visitors at the café.
“We’re building the café. They’re helping us fill it with second chances,” RipVanWhisker founder Dave Washburn said.
RipVanWhisker is planned as a family-friendly destination combining specialty coffee, tea, alcohol-free mocktails and opportunities to spend time with rescue cats. The business also plans to host community events and provide guests with opportunities to adopt.
“We’ve been talking about what RipVanWhisker could become for a long time,” Washburn said. “Now we’re starting to see the pieces come together.”
The company has launched an updated website outlining its plans, rescue partnership and progress toward opening. An opening date was not announced.
RipVanWhisker is also conducting a Founding Human fundraising campaign to help pay for renovations, furnishings, equipment and cat lounges. The campaign is limited to 250 participants.
Supporters who join the campaign will receive a limited-edition T-shirt and pin, recognition inside the future café, early project updates and recognition during opening week.
Washburn said the campaign is designed to give supporters an opportunity to participate in the café’s development before it opens.
“It’s about giving people an opportunity to say, ‘I was there before the doors opened. I helped build it,’” he said.
The café has joined the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce as its organizers continue the buildout and expand community partnerships.
Organizers said the goal is to create a gathering place for residents, families and visitors while giving rescue organizations greater visibility and helping more cats find permanent homes.
More information about the café and its fundraising campaign is available at ripvanwhisker.com. Information about Friends of Giuseppe is available at friendsofgiuseppe.com.
