BOUNTIFUL—Need a kitty fix and a furry cuddle? Spend an hour or two at Fawn’s Family Rescue & Cat Lounge and satisfy both while making some human friends in the process too. The 501(c3) nonprofit animal rescue’s mission is to provide comfort for the cats as well as those who come to visit. 

“I saw the need for more rescues,” said Areah Watterson who owns the rescue with her husband Gary Hsu. “We started it because we ourselves would find cats and the shelters or rescues would be full. There were not enough.”

It’s foster based, she said. “They’re vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered and have a health exam before they come here. They are fostered and once they’re healthy they can come here. We try to keep about 20-25 cats here so that we don’t get overwhelmed.”

Besides the cats they also rescue animals like ferrets and hamsters, Watterson said. “We’re slowing down on dogs because we don’t have as many fosters.”

People who want to foster can fill out an application online, said Watterson. “We try to put the word out as much as we can. It’s such a needed thing and extremely important. We want to make sure our fosters know how important they are. That’s how our rescue runs.”

Norah Jensen (front) and Quinn Jackson play with cats at Fawn’s Family Rescue & Cat Lounge in Bountiful. The animal rescue gives people a chance to get their kitty fix. Photo by Becky Ginos

The rescue opened three years ago but the Cat Lounge is new. “It’s been open for about six weeks,” she said. “We got the idea from a place called Cuddles in American Fork. They were in the process of looking for another space. We got close with them and we held an event there. They gave us all the information we needed and helped support us. They donated a bunch of stuff to help us open this place.”

All of the cats are adoptable, said Watterson. “They come from a shelter or boarding situation. People can come in and play with them and get their cat fix. They can take a cat home if it’s a good fit.”

Prospective owners can fill out an application to adopt online, she said. “We do an in person interview but it’s not formal. Our cats are only indoor. We don't adopt as an outdoor cat, a lot can happen. We look for someone who will love them.”

Kittens go in pairs unless they have cats of their own, said Watterson. “Kittens are still learning to be cats so they need to learn from each other.”

Watterson said they also look for a connection. “When someone sits down you can see that.”

If for some reason such as an unexpected medical issue someone needs to bring the cat back, Watterson said they'll take them. “We always make room for our cats to come back. We don’t want them to end up in a shelter.”

Some of the cats at the rescue have disabilities, said Watterson. “Normad is a Bengal mix that is partially paralyzed. Another cat has only three legs and we have a cat with one eye.

The Cat Lounge will also host events like cat yoga, date night/movie night with cats and coming up paint night with cats April 20 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. “We’ll have an instructor but if a cat jumps up on the paint, that’s part of the experience.”

It’s been a team effort to get everything put together, said Hsu. “So many people have come out. We’ve been surprised and thankful. There are a lot of cities close by and they’ve welcomed us with open arms. It’s been really nice.”

It’s fun to watch kids’ reactions, he said. “When they see so many kitties they get so excited.”

“I love cats,” said 9-year-old Quinn Jackson who came to the lounge with her friend Norah. “I love to play with cats. They’re so cute like little fur balls and they’re sneaky.”

The Cat Lounge is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and is located at 2130 S. Orchard Dr., Bountiful. Any age child is allowed as long as they have a parent or guardian with them. For prices and more information, visit fawnsfamilyrescue.org.