Cat Café Coming to Murfreesboro

By Brooke Routh

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

         MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Two local Murfreesboro residents will open up their own cat with coffee café called Catfeine this summer to help adoptable rescue cats find forever homes while serving tasty beverages simultaneously.

          Curtis and Taura Byrd were watching an episode of Shark Tank in 2015 when the idea of a cat café first popped into their minds.  Since then, they have been working hard to bring the coffee and cat café to Murfreesboro.    
         Unfortunately, they have not released the address for Catfeine yet, but they have hinted that it will be located in downtown Murfreesboro. At first, The Byrds were considering opening Catfeine, the coffee and cat café, in Nashville, but ultimately decided on Murfreesboro because they live there and because the city has plenty of cat lovers. After Catfeine’s Facebook page was created in summer of 2017, the demand for a cat café in Murfreesboro skyrocketed.

Curtis and Taura Byrd

           The Byrds have been working closely with the Rutherford County Health Department to ensure that everything in the café will be up to code. There will not be any cat hair in the coffee. The area where coffee is prepared will be separated from the cat lounge.  There also will be a separate area for the litter boxes so that the cats have their own private area away from customers.  
          “The cats will have a separate ‘no humans allowed’ area where they can get away if they need a break," said Curtis Byrd. 
          “Only their caregiver will be allowed to enter," Taura Byrd added. "One of the very reasons we want to have a cat lounge adoption environment is due to the countless number of times we've had to complain at a local big box pet store about the condition of the cages the cats are in, It is terrible. Cats should not have to lie in their own filth. This turns prospective adopters away because it gives the perception that cats are dirty. We promise to keep a super clean and healthy environment for both the cats and the humans!”

          The Byrds plan to have a cat lounge where customers can sip coffee while petting the cats. There will be an hourly rate for access to the lounge to help underwrite the cost to take care of the cats, and maintain the café. They plan to offer monthly memberships to customers who plan to visit often. There will be student discount options as well. Catfeine will be a place to relax before or after classes or even to study for finals, even if the temptation to pet the cats is strong.

           Some potential customers expressed disappointment when it was revealed that there will be an hourly rate to access the cat lounge. “While we would love to provide this as a free experience, we simply cannot afford to. Said Curtis Byrd. “Caring for the cats can be quite expensive.  We're providing care, food, shelter, toys and tons of litter, just to name the basics.  The cover charge will help ensure The Byrds are able to provide cats with the care they need and a roof over their heads. 
          “We will do everything we can to keep the cost to a minimum,” Curtis Byrd continued. “Spots will be limited each hour, so reservations will be highly encouraged to ensure cat lovers get their kitty fix.”

         Food will not be prepared onsite, but Catfeine will have baked goods prepackaged from a local bakery. Olive Branch Bakery, a local bakery in Murfreesboro, will be providing Catfeine with bakery goods. The bakery specializes in macaroons and other cat shaped pastries.

          The Byrds said that Murfreesboro needs a cat café and there is no better time than 2018. People love coffee and cats, so why not combine the two while helping cats in need of homes. 
          To learn more about Catfeine, visit http://www.catfeine.net.

Why You Should Spay/Neuter Your Pet

By Brooke Routh

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

      SMYRNA-- Every year millions of animals without homes are euthanized due to overpopulation. Overpopulation is one of the more popular reasons people tell you to spay/neuter, and they have a point.

        According to the Humane Society, “About 2.4 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs--- about one every 13 seconds--- are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them.” To learn more about overpopulation visit http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopul 

My cat, Malachite.

Health benefits:

         Overpopulation is not the only reason you should consider altering your pet. On average, pets that have been altered live longer than pets who are not. Pets who remain intact also have a higher chance of developing deadly diseases. Spaying can decrease the likelihood that your pet will have uterine infections or develop breast tumors.

          Most reputable veterinarians will suggest that you schedule the procedure prior to your female pet’s first heat cycle in order to dramatically decrease their chances of developing any of these diseases and to decrease the likelihood that they will develop behavioral issues throughout their life.

         When it comes to male pets, neutering them at a young age can prevent them from developing unwanted aggressive attitudes and can decrease their likelihood of developing testicular cancer or other prostate issues. Unaltered male pets sometimes roam away from home in order to find a mate which can cost them their life. Some of these unaltered pets who get loose in order to mate will get hit by our vehicles, end up at the shelter, or ultimately die from starvation.

Behavioral Benefits:

         Male pets especially benefit behavioral wise from neutering. Unaltered male pets have higher levels of testosterone in their bodies. High levels of testosterone in male animals can cause urine marking, disobedience, territorial aggression, and even aggression towards other animals- specifically other male animals.

         Female pets have behavioral issues that can be corrected with altering as well! Female pets that are not spayed are prone to display aggressive attitudes, and they are more likely than altered females to have rapid mood swings.

 Cost Effective

         On average, spaying and neutering can cost anywhere from $50 to $250. There are some programs in the area that cost more than $300, but for most people those kind of options are really unrealistic.  There are a couple of programs in Rutherford County that are free or very low cost.

      Programs in Our Area:

         P.A.W.S in Murfreesboro offers the procedure at no cost, but this program is first-come first-serve. If you are lucky enough to get on their long wait list, it can take several weeks before they have an opening! Click the link down below for more information on their free spay/neuter program.

 http://paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov/spay-and-neuter.html

         Beesley Animal Clinic is another good option for those who are on a budget. In order to be considered for their program, your pet has to be up to date on all vaccines, which they can provide at an additional cost. The procedure is more expensive for female pets, and the price increases for larger pets. To learn more visit http://www.beesleyanimalclinic.com/services

This is my rescue puppy, Violet.

   
My Experience:

         Premier VetCare is another great program in our area. I actually scheduled my puppy’s spay surgery through Premier, and I was really impressed with their hospitality and with how quickly my puppy healed. On average, their base price for the surgery is $70. Of course this initial price increases quite a bit when you add on other services such as a wellness check, blood work, and microchipping. I decided to pay the extra money to insure my pet was getting the best option available but still within a reasonable price. In the end, I paid $200. I think that price is reasonable considering everything that was included.

           My puppy received a wellness checkup to insure she was healthy enough for surgery. They did full blood-work on her just to make sure she did not have any life-threatening diseases or ailments, and she was microchipped. She healed up very nicely, so I definitely recommend Premier Vetcare. For more details, visit http://premiervetcare.co/