Can I bring food and drinks into the Cat Zone?
Yes! You’re welcome to bring items purchased from Souvenir Coffee, located right next to Cat Town.

Can I bring my cat(s) to the Cat Zone?
No. As much as we love cats, bringing in outside cats would be stressful for everyone — our cats, your cat, and our staff and volunteers!

Where do the cats in the Cat Zone come from?
Most of our cats come from Oakland Animal Services, our city’s municipal shelter. We also partner with other local municipal shelters and Trap-Neuter-Return groups like Berkeley Animal Care Services, Hayward Animal Services, Full Circle Cats, ICRA, and more.

Can you take my cat?
We aren’t able to accept cats directly from the public — unless the cat was originally adopted from Cat Town or Maine Coon Adoptions. Our mission focuses on helping cats already in shelters. If you need help rehoming your cat, we recommend listing them on our Home To Home site.

Do the cats live at Cat Town?
Yes! Cat Town began as a foster-based program, and our Cat Zone functions like a permanent foster space. It’s their home until they’re adopted. If a cat needs extra care or a break, we place them in a foster home.

Do I need a reservation to visit?
Reservations aren’t required, but they’re highly recommended — we often book up, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. A $14 entry fee is required for all recreational visits.

Thinking about adopting?
Adopters visit for free! Just fill out our Adoption Inquiry form ahead of time, and we’ll schedule a free appointment for you with a staff member.

How many people (and cats!) are in the Cat Zone at once?
We allow up to 10 people per hour to keep things calm and comfortable for the cats and our guests.

What if the cats are sleeping during my visit?
Cats sleep a lot — up to 16 hours a day! We know visitors hope to interact with playful cats, but rest is important for their well-being. For the best chance of catching them awake, try visiting before 12pm or after 4pm.

Are kids allowed?
Absolutely! We welcome children, but we do require at least one adult for every two kids age 12 or under. Please help us keep the space calm and respectful for the cats.

Can I bring a service or emotional support animal?
Service dogs trained to assist with a disability are welcome. If possible, please contact us ahead of time so we can make accommodations to support your visit. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not permitted, for the safety of our cats and your animal.

Can I volunteer in the Cat Zone?
Yes, we’d love to have you! Fill out our volunteer form to get started. We also need help with events, foster support, deliveries, and more — there’s something for everyone.

Still have questions?
Email us at:
reservations[@]cattownoakland.org
info[@]cattownoakland.org

We receive a high volume of messages and may not be able to reply right away. Thanks for your patience — we appreciate your support!