A Los Angeles nonprofit cat café says it was targeted by thieves last weekend, resulting in damage to its premises and the theft of security equipment, according to the organization.
CatCafe Lounge, which works to rescue and place cats in adoptive homes, reported that the incident occurred around noon to 1 p.m. The suspects may have been guests who spent time interacting with the cats before leaving the location, during which they allegedly stole a motion detector installed after a 2022 burglary, when the lounge previously lost electronics and cash.
In a statement to KTLA, the nonprofit expressed concern not only about the immediate damages, but also the motivation behind targeting security equipment.
“It makes us question whether this could have been canvassing, which is what troubles us most,” a representative wrote.
The theft damaged the ceiling and removed part of the security system, which CatCafe Lounge says is critical to ensuring the safety of its animals. The café emphasized that every dollar spent repairing the damage takes away from resources meant for food, litter, and other necessities for the cats.
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CatCafe Lounge is Los Angeles’ only nonprofit cat café, and its stated mission is to reduce euthanizations by increasing adoptions while socializing cats. Every contribution the café receives is dedicated entirely to its operations, which include rehabilitating undersocialized cats, providing a safe and enriching environment for the animals, and helping potential adopters connect with one of the 20 to 30 cats available for adoption at any given time.
The organization describes its approach as “making our cats rich, not people,” creating moments that improve the lives of both the animals and the guests who visit. Each positive interaction, the café says, contributes to saving cats from being euthanized while encouraging more adoptions.
CatCafeLounge is encouraging the community to donate to help cover costs and support ongoing operations. In a post shared on Instagram, the organization wrote: “Someone ripped out our security equipment, damaged the ceiling, and stole from our nonprofit — and from the cats. 💔 This heartless vandalism caused $250 in damages. Every dollar goes straight to their care.”
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
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