Get a Gato is a full-service cafe and cat lounge

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — “Get a Gato” is a traditional cafe in the front, a cat-themed shop in the middle, and a nonprofit cat lounge in the back.

All cats come from Fishtails, a foster home in Fishtown.

Jackie Starker, who also owns the nearby shop Amelie's Bark, opened Get a Gato this spring.

She was inspired by a trip to Japan, where full-service cat cafes are all the rage.

She wanted to combine the atmosphere of Japanese cat cafes with the aspects of an animal shelter.

The name comes from Jackie's father. He also makes the tie-dye T-shirts for sale.

Her mother hand crochets cat toys and one of the store's baristas makes earrings that are also for sale.

In addition to coffee, there are also specialty drinks.

The menu pays homage to Jackie's Colombian grandmother, with sweet and savory pastries from local Colombian and Brazilian bakers and Puerto Rican pastelillos from Amy's.

Jackie took advantage of her degree in industrial design and added cat-themed details throughout the room.

The Colombian flag appears in a gradient around the café counter.

And although you may come with the intention of adopting an animal, many people just want to spend a few hours with cats.

And if you sit at the extremely popular cat window, you can spend the day watching cats play.

Get a Gato offers cat yoga in the café.

There is a cat quiz night and a date night that includes a romantic table for two and a curated playlist or movie.

All proceeds go towards caring for the cats.

Amelie's Bark Shop | Facebook | Instagram
1600 East Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148

Animal Rescue Fishtails | Facebook | Instagram
233 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125