Operated by Walnut Creek-based Joybound People & Pets, the Cat Lounge & Adoption Center opened this year inside Concord’s newly expanded Joybound Thrift Store at 1950 Market St., Suite I. The space combines a large, upscale community thrift store, adoption center and interactive cat lounge under one roof.
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The opening marked more than a new retail concept. The city proclaimed the day Joybound People & Pets Day in recognition of the organization’s efforts. Chelsea Blackburn, Joybound’s public relations manager, said the idea grew from increasing demand for community-centered experiences.
“There has been a growing interest in experiential, community-driven spaces — places where people can gather, relax and feel connected to something meaningful,” she said.
The organization envisioned a space that could blend animal welfare with a welcoming environment where visitors could spend time with cats in a low-pressure setting.
“Ultimately, the idea was inspired by a simple goal: to reimagine how adoption can be more relaxing and fun for cats, more engaging for people, while supporting our mission of celebrating and elevating the human-animal bond,” Blackburn said.
Unlike a traditional shelter, the cat lounge offers visitors a calm and aesthetically-pleasing indoor environment where they can interact with adoptable cats outside of kennels or cages. Miguel Abi-hassan, Joybound’s chief of programs, said the concept is designed to strengthen connections between people and animals.
“This was more than a grand reopening; it’s a reimagining of how communities can support animal wellness,” Abi-hassan said. “By uniting adoption, advocacy and sustainable shopping, we are creating new ways for people to connect with our mission to help people and pets.”
The lounge currently houses two to five adoptable cats at a time. Joybound staff regularly bring in animals from partner shelters throughout California, meaning available cats change frequently. Visitors can spend up to 15 minutes in the lounge for free, though donations are encouraged. Guests check in through the adjoining adoption center, and children are welcome with adult supervision.
If visitors connect with a particular cat, staff members can arrange additional time or begin the adoption process. Sean McGinnis, who directs Joybound’s animal care and adoptions, said the lounge was intentionally designed to benefit visitors and cats.
“We hope visitors feel an immediate sense of warmth and ease when they enter the space,” he said. “The cat lounge was designed to be a calm, modern, inviting place where people can step away from the pace of everyday life and simply be present.”
The environment includes climbing areas, scratching surfaces, toys and quiet retreat spaces that let cats express natural behaviors and interact with people on their own terms.
“At the same time, the lounge provides gentle, consistent human interaction in a controlled and respectful way,” McGinnis said.
That interaction is meant to help cats build confidence while letting prospective adopters observe each animal’s personality.
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“Over time, that positive exposure can make a significant difference in how comfortable cats feel around people, ultimately improving their adoptability,” he said.
Beyond the lounge itself, the adjoining thrift store offers furniture, clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, pet supplies, collectibles, kitchenware and musical instruments. The store accepts donations of new and gently used items that are clean and in working order. Donation drop-offs are accepted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the rear entrance.
All proceeds support Joybound’s 47 programs, including pet adoptions, veterinary care, training services and community support programs designed to keep pets with their families. Blackburn said community response has been enthusiastic.
“Since announcing the cat lounge, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive and deeply encouraging,” she said.
Walnut Creek’s Joybound, formerly known as the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 that has facilitated more than 54,000 pet adoptions and now serves more than 172,000 people and their pets through veterinary services, training, education and workforce development programs.
The organization also relies on more than 800 active volunteers. During the thrift store’s first year, leaders plan to focus on evaluating how cats interact with the environment while tracking adoptions, visitor engagement and community involvement.
“We’re defining success in a few clear and meaningful ways in the first year,” Abi-hassan said. “First and foremost, it’s about placing cats into loving homes.”
For Blackburn, the larger goal is creating a space where people feel welcome, connected and inspired to support animals.
“In a busy, often stressful world, having a space like this in the community can offer a small but meaningful sense of joy and connection,” she said.
For more information about the Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, visit joybound.org/adopt/thrift-store.
“Ultimately, we hope people walk out feeling a sense of joy and connection, knowing they’ve been part of something genuinely impactful, even in a small way,” McGinnis said.
Reach Diablo Valley College journalism professor and freelance writer Charleen Earley at [email protected] or 925-383-3072.
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