New nonprofit cat cafe aims to boost adoptions in Mid-Ohio Valley

River City Kitty Cafe to provide home-like environment for shelter cats to meet potential adopters

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A new nonprofit cat cafe called River City Kitty Cafe is preparing to open in Marietta, Ohio, with the goal of boosting cat adoptions in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Led by board president Rebecca Johnson, the cafe will feature a two-sided setup - a typical cafe area in the front and a dedicated cat lounge in the back where visitors can interact with adoptable cats from local rescue organizations in a calm, home-like environment.

Why it matters

The new cat cafe aims to provide a welcoming space for potential adopters to get to know shelter cats, which Johnson says often get overlooked compared to dogs. By partnering with local rescues, the cafe hopes to increase adoption rates and support the work of animal welfare organizations in the region.

The details

River City Kitty Cafe is currently in the pre-opening phase, with an expected launch in March 2026. The nonprofit has raised around $22,000 so far to cover startup costs like rent, equipment, and ongoing care for the cats. Initially, the cafe will be run by volunteers, including Johnson and other board members, but they plan to eventually hire a business manager. The cafe will feature a separate cat lounge area where visitors can interact with up to 12 cats at a time, and the nonprofit will partner with local businesses like Jeremiah's Coffee House to provide food and drink offerings.

  • River City Kitty Cafe is expected to open in March 2026.
  • Construction of the dividing wall between the cafe and cat lounge areas was completed in early February 2026.

The players

Rebecca Johnson

Board president of River City Kitty Cafe and owner of Sun Haven Farm, a boarding and grooming business. Johnson has a background in education and nonprofit leadership, including serving as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.

George Broughton

Property owner who helped facilitate the sublease arrangement for the River City Kitty Cafe location.

Humane Society of the Ohio Valley

One of the local rescue organizations that River City Kitty Cafe is partnering with to help adoptable cats and kittens find homes.

Paws, Inc.

Another local rescue organization that River City Kitty Cafe is partnering with to help adoptable cats and kittens find homes.

Jeremiah's Coffee House

A local business that River City Kitty Cafe is partnering with to provide food and drink offerings at the cafe.

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What they’re saying

“If you've been to the Humane Society or some of these other rescues, they don't always have a good room or place for you to sit down quietly, enjoy and get to know the cats. A lot of places focus more on the dogs being adopted, and the cats kind of get left behind.”

— Rebecca Johnson, Board President, River City Kitty Cafe (Marietta Times)

“The first cat cafe I went to was in Savannah, Ga., and it was just amazing. It was fun. It was amazing. They had pictures of the cats that had been adopted, and you felt like you were giving back... we bought some stickers, had a latte and hung out in the cat room for like, an hour. And all of that helps to give back to their communities, humane societies and help to get the cats adopted.”

— Rebecca Johnson, Board President, River City Kitty Cafe (Marietta Times)

What’s next

River City Kitty Cafe aims to open the cat lounge side of the facility in about two weeks, while the cafe side may take a little longer to open, likely by early April 2026 once they obtain the necessary food service license.

The takeaway

The new River City Kitty Cafe in Marietta, Ohio is a unique nonprofit venture that combines a cozy cafe environment with a dedicated cat lounge to help boost cat adoptions in the Mid-Ohio Valley. By partnering with local rescue organizations and providing a welcoming space for potential adopters to interact with the cats, the cafe hopes to give overlooked shelter felines a better chance at finding their forever homes.