About Me & Familiar
The Company
Familiar Cat Cafe, located in Marion, IA, serves cats with a side of coffee in a magical setting. It is a sanctuary for humans and their feline familiars that centers community, connection, and wellness. As cat cafés grow in popularity across the U.S., Familiar is a long-held dream of mine that offers a unique twist: a welcoming space where healing, intention, and adoption come together.
Familiar serves handcrafted coffee, locally made food, and other refreshments, while also featuring a dedicated space where visitors can interact with adoptable cats. By partnering with Funky Paws Rescue of Buchanan County, Familiar plays an active role in facilitating cat adoptions and reducing shelter overcrowding. Customers can also view and shop works from local artists and makers who sell their products on consignment at the cafe. The cafe will also hold events and serve as an event venue for others.
About Me
My name is Kat Sung (they/them) and I am a queer, disabled Korean adoptee from Marion, IA. I live with my partner, Zach, and 2 of our 3 children (1 is grown and on his own!). We also have 3 cats (Sable, Yogurt, and Larry) and 2 dogs (Dulce and Tuon).
With over a decade of experience in social and crisis services, I’ve always known I wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome. I am also an oracle card creator and reader, healing crystal enthusiast, and life long cat lover. The only logical conclusion to come to, really, was to open a cat cafe centered around bringing people together while enjoying some pet therapy in a relaxed and cozy environment.
If you know me at all, then you know that I am a huge advocate of small businesses and supporting people that you know by shopping local! With that in mind, I’m delighted to be in a position to showcase local artists, makers and bakers within the cat cafe, while also supporting those in our very own community through whom I choose for business services (anything from local graphic artists and construction contractors, to vintage furniture sourcing and technology management). This also means partnering with a local rescue to highlight their animal welfare efforts and facilitate adoptions.
FAQs
-
I am pleased to announce the home of Familiar will be 935 6th Ave, Marion, IA 52302. We plan to open June 2026!
For now, please visit our Online Store to support bringing Familiar Cat Café into reality!
-
Familiar will partner with Funky Paws Animal Rescue of Buchanan County. The café will care for resident cats that are waiting to be adopted. We will also assist customers with the adoption process.
-
There will be a tiered payment structure to enter the cat room determined by how long you choose to visit.
60 mins will be available by online reservation and walk-in.
15 and 30 min walk-in only options will also be available.
Children within certain age limits may be discounted or free - still working to figure this part out.
There will be rewards punch cards for both cat room visits and café drinks.
-
The café area will offer refreshments to purchase and seating. This portion will also house the gift shop featuring locally sourced art and products. These items will feature feline, nature and spiritual themes.
The café will host public, private events and fundraisers
Public Events:
Events will feature cat education, relaxation, and/or spiritual themes. Potential examples include family/kid story time, “cat nap,” cat safety, group meditation, group sound healing, etc.
Customers will be able to purchase tickets online or in person prior to these events on a first come first serve basis. Price will include the experience plus price of one free drink per person.
Private Events:
Group events (think birthday parties, team building, etc) will include 60 minutes in the cat room, beverages for each person, and cat treats. Upgrades available for an additional price include reserved seating in the café before/after the event and oracle card readings for adult guests.
Pricing will vary depending upon week day or weekend reservation.
Fundraisers:
Schools and organizations may hold fundraisers at the café on a predetermined day. For a portion of that day the fee for cat room entry will be “free-will donation.” All money collected during that time will be given to the school or organization.
In the News
Familiar Cat Café was featured in articles written by the Cedar Rapids Gazette and 98.1 KHAK. Check them out below!!
