Gem City Catfe in Dayton: Resident cats Mr. Baby, Meowrville Wright

When Dayton’s cat cafe opened in 2017, owner Karin Gudal thought the shop might just have one full-time “permanent resident.” But cat lovers know how that usually goes.

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The Gem City Catfé has two felines that are not adoptable. “Mr. Baby” and “Meowrville Wright” watch their friends come and go as loving Daytonians adopt them into their forever homes.

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“I think we originally wanted one (resident cat) and before we even opened, the Humane Society got a hold of us and said, ‘You have got to meet this cat. He would be perfect as a resident,’” said Karin Gudal, Catfé owner. “He really likes attention and is smart, which can be hard in a home if you don’t have the time to put in all the enrichment for them. They can get destructive. So, that helps here. He is never without attention, activities, things to do.”

Credit: Gem City Catfe

Credit: Gem City Catfe

Then, along came Mr. Meowrville Wright at about the same time as the coffee shop’s opening in 2017. Gudal said they met the bubbly, soft-natured cat through one of the shop’s rescue partnerships. The pair of feline Catfé veterans add an element of stability and balance to the constant cycling through of adoptable kitties.

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“Having a couple permanent residents adds some balance to the cycle of kittens,” Gudal said. “Now we have two that are at least stable personalities. Other cats know their routines, etc.”

We sat down with Mr. Meowrville and Mr. Baby to learn a little more about them (with some help from their human friends at the cat cafe).

Meet Mr. Baby