Murfreesboro’s Catfeine Cat Cafe Celebrates Five Years of Feline Fun

Murfreesboro’s beloved Catfeine Cat Cafe is gearing up to celebrate a significant milestone: five years of purr-fection. Founded by the dedicated duo Taura and Curtis Byrd, Catfeine has become a cherished sanctuary for both cats and cat lovers since its doors opened in 2019.

The Byrds and their feline friends are eagerly preparing to commemorate this special occasion on Saturday, April 6, from 12 to 5 p.m., hosting a day of celebration filled with treats, giveaways and games. Catfeine will offer half-hour visits to the cat cafe that day for $5.

Reflecting on the journey of the past five years, Taura and Curtis express profound gratitude for the support of the community, especially during challenging times.

“The outpouring of support during 2020 was truly awesome,” Taura says.

If the pandemic wasn’t enough for a small business to navigate, the cafe saw and survived multiple other significant challenges during its early years: an unexpected relocation and a robbery, to name just two.

“The only reason we’re still here is because of the community,” Curtis says.

Serving as a foster home for rescue cats, Catfeine partners with four nonprofit rescues—All Aboard, Puurrrfect Paws, the Rutherford County Cat Rescue and Spay It Forward—providing a nurturing environment where cats can flourish until they find their forever homes.

“They get to stay here in a no-cage environment until they are ready to be adopted,” Curtis said. “Our guests help to rehabilitate the cats.”

Over the past five years, Catfeine has facilitated over 850 adoptions, providing a second chance at happiness for many feline companions. Despite the challenges, the cafe operators have remained steadfast in their dedication to connecting cats with loving local families.

Taura highlights the advantages of adopting from Catfeine, emphasizing the opportunity for potential adopters to interact with cats in a homelike environment and get to know their personalities firsthand, before committing to adoption.

Photos by Ashleigh Newnes

In addition to adoption, there are various ways for the community to support Catfeine’s mission, including making donations through their Amazon wish list and other avenues outlined on their website.

Catfeine Cat Cafe isn’t just a haven for cats—it’s also a sanctuary for people. Taura emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of spending time with cats, describing Catfeine as a “happy place” and a stress reliever for visitors. The environment not only provides cats with a chance to blossom and socialize before going to their forever home but also offers visitors the opportunity to unwind after a long day.

“It is therapeutic both ways,” Curtis said. Guests can hang out with cats while enjoying a coffee or a cold drink of their choice, and snack on locally made cat-shaped cookies and pastries.

As Murfreesboro’s Catfeine Cat Cafe prepares to commemorate its fifth anniversary, it’s not just a milestone for one cafe—it’s a celebration of community (and cats . . . and coffee). Here’s to five years of purrs, cuddles and numerous lives touched by Catfeine’s mission of love, rescue and feline fun!