Cat cafe based in the Bay Area, CA with a Korean-inspired touch.
A haven for rescue & shelter cats, creating more opportunities for cats to find their forever homes.
Our Story
Nabi Cat Cafe was founded with a heart to give cats a second chance at life.
According to ASPCA, approximately 3.2 million cats enter the shelters each year, and 530,000 of them are euthanized that same year. This is not including the many stray cats that still roam the streets every day and night.
Our mission is to find permanent homes for rescue cats by housing cats in a secure and enriching space, while offering the opportunity for potential adopters to interact with cats in a cozy environment.
Meet The Team
Christine Hedeen
Co-founder & President
Ailee Kim
Co-founder & Vice-President
Misu
Chief Inspurration Officer
Nabi Cat Cafe is a women & Asian-owned business! We are sister-in-laws who bonded over the love for rescue animals. Christine, president, was inspired to start her own cat cafe after visiting a handful around the world. When she realized the impact cats had on her heart, she adopted an adorable rescue cat, Misu, from a local shelter. Ailee, vice president, has fostered and adopted rescue dogs from Korea and currently has two named Bear and Pooki. She has always had a big heart to nurture animals as her childhood was full of various types including chickens, hamsters, dogs, fish, and iguanas. When the two came together, the idea to start the cat cafe developed into reality.
In addition to getting to spend the entire day with furry felines, Christine & Ailee were drawn to the idea of giving stray cats a second chance at life. “Nabi” (nah-bee) directly translates to “butterfly” in Korean, but is also a commonly used nickname in Korea for cats found on the street. They wanted to provide a safe haven for cats by easing the burden on overcrowded shelters, protecting cats at risk of euthanasia, and giving an opportunity for potential adopters to interact and bond with their future pets.
Christine & Ailee are also passionate about incorporating their Korean heritage into the cat cafe. Taking inspiration from the cafe culture and aesthetics, they eagerly strive to bring the charming elements of Korean cat cafes to the US.