honestly disappointing from start to finish. The place was not clean and had a strong Oder. I worked at cat shelter for years, it's supposed to smell like a mixture of cleaning spray and bleach . There was a noticeable odor, and some areas looked like they hadn't been properly maintained. For a place that charges an entry fee, I expected a much higher standard of hygiene. We were told not to interact with almost all of the cats because they are "spicy" they didn't seem well-socialized. Not enjoyable. On top of that, the staff came across as completely rude. Overall, it felt overpriced for what you get. Between the atmosphere, cleanliness issues, and lack of manners, I wouldn't recommend Catfé Lounge and wouldn't go back. read more

I have been fostering kittens for FCS for a while now. All of the kitties in their care are well cared for. Yes, there is a process to follow for adoption, but it is for the safety of everyone. Kitties and kitty parents need to be vetted. If you are looking for a kitty, look no further! read more

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I love Ferndale Cat Shelter! As a cat owner and dog lover, it's so nice to see a place like this thriving. It's nice to interact with the adoptable cats here to get an idea of what their personality is like. Plus, they are all free roaming! They have a really nice clean facility with tons of toys, couches, chairs cat condos for all the animals and people to sit and interact with. They also have a coffee station along with some merchandise to choose from as well. They do ask for a $10 donation and I usually leave that when I am there. The place is really nice, and I recommend stopping in if you are in the area. The staff here is nice, parking is usually available and they also have a cool instagram page as well. read more

I am a cat lady, and I'm not ashamed. My friend and I did lunch at the Bangkok Café and decided to stop by the Catfe Lounge after our meal to play with the kitties and continue our catch up sesh - in fact, "cat up and catch up" is the new term I'll give it. First and foremost, the Catfe Lounge is part of the Ferndale Cat Shelter - they house several cats at the Catfe in hopes that people will adopt a furry new friend or two...or four.. :-) They also have many cats available for adoption that are currently housed with volunteer foster parents. The location is perfect - right off Livernois and not far from 9 Mile. On a Saturday around 1:30, there was ample free parking on the street. When I walked up to the front door, I saw an adorable cat just walking up by the window - I was already so excited I could hardly contain myself. Upon walking in, we sanitized our hands and signed a waiver. They also ask for a $10 donation - in addition to lounge time, you can get free coffee/tea/cookies/wireless internet as part of your donation. I was overall impressed with the entire operation of the Catfe Lounge. The volunteer was incredibly friendly, and my friend and I sat down and chatted while a mom and her two children shared the Catfe with us. Slowly, more people arrived and the place was full! What better place to hang out than with fellow cat lovers? We were sharing stories and pics of our furry friends almost instantly. Fast and forever friends, I tell ya! I was surprised that the cats were up and awake and hanging out! A few of them were off in their own space to be left alone, but one jumped on my lap and hung with me for a bit. My favorite part was the gangway up high made up of shelves covered in carpet - the cats can get about high above the rest when they need their space. I felt very relaxed and content after visiting the Catfe Lounge - I love the operation they have there, and I will definitely adopt a cat from there when I'm ready to take on another little one. My friend and I had a wonderful time doing the Cat Up and Catch Up. I encourage you to make a trip to the Catfe Lounge if you're looking for a unique date idea, taking your well-behaved children out for an hour or two, or even for some alone time to take a breather from your hectic week. It's all for a wonderful cause. read more

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My partner and I have been on the search to add another addition to our family. We came across a kitten from this shelter during our search. The kitten seemed like it would be a perfect fit for us! We have a 1 1/2 year old cat who needs a buddy, so when we found a playful, affectionate, and sweet kitty who needed a home with another young cat we thought it was perfect. I immediately applied to adopt this cat, that day I received a call from Shannon. Shannon verified my address then asked one question. She asked, "why did you fill out an application and your partner didn't?". Confused by this question I explained that he is at work and I applied on behalf of both of us. She then told me that he needed to apply also. I said okay and that I'd have him do it. Without even saying bye, she hung up on me! My partner filled out the application the same day, during his break. Then the following day, Shannon called him. (A little background information, my partner as extreme social anxiety. So a call with anyone he doesn't know makes him anxious.) Shannon immediately started interrogating him, not interviewing. She talked over him and was very rude. She asked him about our current cats vaccine records, which is normal, however my partner didn't know the answer off the top of his head. She then got hostile towards him. She also asked him why our cat can go outside. This confused my partner because our cat isn't allowed outside. She ended the conversation with telling him that we aren't a good match for this shelter all because he was anxious. Overall, I would not recommend this shelter to anyone! We are very saddened and disappointed with the outcome. We are a young and active family looking to open our hearts and home to another pet. But unfortunately this was overlooked by someone. Our experience was disheartening and unprofessional. read more

I am very confused with Ferndale Cat Shelter's process of adoption. Our family visited the website and my daughters chose Peanut and Bananas. We then visited the Catfe and were told that Peanuts wasn't a good fit and that we should be looking at a bonded pair. We initially were recommended a bonded pair that was already pending adoption and had to search for another. We then had a zoom meet and greet with two other cats we found, Clover and Piglet at their foster home. We set up a physical meet and greet, but Shannon said, via text, that because my oldest would eventually move out, she didn't feel a bonded pair would fit and that the physical meet and greet was placed on hold. This back and forth is not good for my daughters and I am very frustrated with this process. My girls then found two separate cats that are not "bonded", Kiari and Bananas. Now, Shannon says that she could not adopt these cats or ANY cats to us because they will "become bonded eventually" after the Catfe and Shannon suggested and pushed a bonded pair onto our family. I told Shannon that my girls will not live with us forever, it would be 5 to 10 years down the line. Shannon stated they did not feel comfortable adopting to our family because of changing answers on our part. I also said that I feel this is a case of discrimination and for her to cease contacting me further. I am very sad that I have to disappoint my girls, again! I do NOT recommend adopting or supporting FCS. I am choosing one star because I can't rate any lower. read more

Horrible experience. Granted the surface level atmosphere is good and the cats seem happy. You are allowed to interact with the animals in a relaxed setting. Outside of those things just mentioned, the way the place is managed leaves many things to be desired. The bad: Calls/emails/voicemails aren't responded to promptly, if at all. Pets are listed online that aren't available for adoption. Here's the strangest part...they don't seem to be receptive to patrons who are willing to help out i.e. fostering or adopting. It's almost like they are hoarding animals. Lastly, you get a different answer to policy questions depending on who you talk with. read more

I didn't realize ferndale cat shelter and the catfe were connected until now. I guess I should have known by neither of them responding. I got one response after two messages. The response was "where is this?" when asking for help to rescue a family of cats. After I replied, silence. I'm not sure how they pick and choose which cats they rescue but clearly not everyone who reaches out for help is helped... or even responded to. read more

Take a look at their adoption contract. This is easily one of the most strict adoption contracts I've seen, and you give them the right to call or visit your home whenever they want. Without notice. If they deem the house unsuitable, they can take the cat with no questions asked. Essentially, you're not so much as *adopting* as you are *enhanced fostering*. Any cat that you "adopt" from here isn't yours, and that's a shame. read more

This cat shelter and the catfe are extremely well-run by caring and loving human beings. They put the needs and best interests of the cats/kittens first and foremost, as it should be. It is comforting to know that they screen potential "parents" - they do not want to rehome a cat to someone who might not be able to care for them physically, monetarily or not have suitable shelter. The last thing that they want is for a rehomed cat to be dumped somewhere else. They are looking for a forever home with someone committed to a pet's health and well-being. When you adopt from them you know you are getting a cat that has been assessed on a number of levels, up-to-date with a veterinarian, and will be placed according to it's needs and temperament, along with yours. If you are at odds with being assessed yourself, then go to another shelter. In the end, it's about the cats. End. Of. Story. read more

Wonderful idea! They treat their animals fairly. All of them are nurtured. Which is definitely not for everyone. Don't buy. Adopt.

Went to a foster persons home and selected a kitten, 3 days later I was told that the kitten I selected and bonded with was now given to someone else. I was told that the foster person gave another adopting person the wrong kitten and the kitten I selected was given to them, yet these kittens are litter mates and supposedly identical. I can not verify that the kittens are identical since I only seen the one which I wanted to adopt. I asked the Ferndale Cat Shelter representatives, which at this time I was communicating with 2 woman, "why would a person adopting return the kitten, especially if they are identical?". I was given no explanation and was told by one of these people to just move on and she has an early day tomorrow and would chat tomorrow. I never heard from her. I had recently lost one of my cats and then this organization does this. I wanted to share my experience dealing with Ferndale Cat Shelter as I would not want anyone else to have to go through this treatment. I put a lot of value in truth and honesty and I do not feel that I was given respect on either from this organization. read more