Pocatello is set to fill a notable gap on the national map. Idaho is currently one of only two states in the country without a cat cafe, but a local couple is working to change that — and they have chosen Southeast Idaho’s largest city as the location for the state’s inaugural concept.
Shannon Fox and her fiancé are behind Caturdays208, a planned hybrid business that would operate as part cafe and part cat lounge, with adoptable animals available to visit throughout the day. Fox, who has a background in social work, envisions the business as something more than a novelty. Her stated goal is to create a community-centered space focused on human-animal connection and mental wellness rather than simply driving transactions.
The Concept: Cats, Coffee, and Community
The layout of Caturdays208 will keep food service and feline guests in separate areas, as required by standard health and safety practices for establishments that combine animals and food. Visitors will be able to enjoy cafe offerings in one section while the cat lounge provides a dedicated, comfortable environment for interactions with the resident animals.
The lounge cats will not simply be display animals — they will be adoptable, sourced through a partnership with Pocatello Animal Services and local rescue organizations. Fox has been intentional about structuring those partnerships in a way that complements, rather than competes with, existing rescue infrastructure in the area.
“We want to be an asset to the community instead of creating anything that would harm the rescues currently,” Fox told LocalNews8, as first reported by the Local News 8.
Customers will have the option of walking in or booking appointments in advance, with reservations allowing for extended time with specific cats — an appealing feature for those hoping to bond with a particular animal before committing to adoption.
Fox has described her broader philosophy for the business as one rooted in purpose. “I want to build a grounding business versus a consumption based business,” she told LocalNews8, reflecting her social work background and a focus on mental health benefits tied to animal interaction, as first reported by the Local News 8.
Location, Funding, and Timeline
Fox is targeting a location between Idaho State University’s campus and Pocatello’s historic downtown district — a corridor that sees steady foot traffic from students, faculty, and community residents. That positioning could give Caturdays208 access to a broad cross-section of potential visitors, from college students seeking stress relief during the academic year to downtown locals looking for a unique gathering space.
Securing a lease is the next major milestone, with October identified as the target month for signing on a space. A grand opening is planned for January 2027.
To get there, the team is pursuing funding through three channels: an active GoFundMe campaign, merchandise sales through their website — including branded T-shirts — and a Kickstarter campaign set to launch in September. The combined fundraising goal across all three methods falls between $40,000 and $50,000.
What Comes Next
With the Kickstarter launch slated for September and lease negotiations expected to begin in October, the coming months will be critical for Caturdays208. Fox and her fiancé are laying the groundwork for what would be a genuinely first-of-its-kind business in Idaho — one that blends small business entrepreneurship with animal welfare and community mental health services.
Pocatello’s position as home to Idaho State University gives the concept a built-in audience familiar with the documented mental health benefits of animal interaction, and the partnership model with local shelters and rescues adds a civic dimension that aligns well with the city’s community-oriented character.
Those interested in supporting the project or staying updated on the Kickstarter launch can find merchandise and information through the Caturdays208 website. If the timeline holds, Pocatello — and Idaho — will finally join the 48 other states with a cat cafe when the doors open in early 2027.