The Whisker Society, a nonprofit cat lounge and café at 25 S. Main Street, is gearing up to open its feline lounge in late April, with the café side slated to follow in early summer. The lounge will host adoptable cats from area rescue groups, while the café will be staffed by paid employees, as reported by The Whisker Society.
How to Book Time With the Cats
According to The Whisker Society, the Cat Lounge grand opening is scheduled for April 24, 2026, with reservations opening on April 10. Visits run one hour, and the lounge caps each session at 15 guests to keep things calm for the cats. Reservations are required, and walk-ins will only be accepted if there is space available.
Rescue Partners Supplying the Feline Stars
The lounge will feature adoptable cats from local partners including Elmbrook Humane Society, Watertown Humane Society and CataHome Feline Sanctuary. The space is expected to host around 20 adoptable cats at a time, and adoptions will be handled directly by the organizations that own each cat, according to Oconomowoc Enterprise.
Jobs, Volunteers and How to Pitch In
The Whisker Society is hiring paid café staff and management, and a full-time general manager position is posted on Indeed. Volunteers sign up through the group’s portal, and the organization offers a youth volunteer application for 16- and 17-year-olds through a form hosted on Better Impact. The nonprofit also keeps a wish list and donation page to help stock food, toys and cleaning supplies for its feline residents, according to The Whisker Society.
Why Local Rescues Are Paying Attention
Partner organizations say that placing adoptable cats in a calm, home-like lounge can boost interest in long-stay or shy animals and free up space in shelters for new arrivals. For Oconomowoc, the mix of a volunteer-supported lounge and a staffed café is poised to become a new community hub where residents can meet cats, relax and connect with local rescue groups.
