In 2024, Ashley Kneavel visited a cat cafe in Arizona and fell in love with its mission. “When I came home, I posted on Facebook to see if there was community interest in a cat cafe here,” she says. “To my surprise, the response was incredibly supportive.”
The Purrfect Building
Kneavel started researching locations and even walked door to door in Lincoln to gather community feedback. “Julie Schirado with Furry Friends was a big help and support in getting the cafe off the ground,” she says. “I could not have accomplished this without the help from her and her team.”
In late 2025, Dakota Cat Cafe opened in Lincoln. “People should come to Dakota Cat Cafe for more than just great coffee,” says Kneavel. “It’s a place to relax, spend time with adoptable cats, meet
fellow cat lovers, and support a local animal rescue. Whether guests are hoping to find a new furry family member, learn more about cats, drop off a donation, or simply enjoy some cat therapy, every visit helps support our mission.”
The mission behind Dakota Cat Cafe is to create a welcoming space in the community where great locally roasted coffee and meaningful connections come together. “We strive to support Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue by helping cats gain exposure to find loving ‘furever’ homes. We also provide a convenient place for the community to drop off needed supplies and donations for the rescue,” says Kneavel.
The cafe has two rooms – one where cats are housed and visitors must reserve a 30-minute time slot to enter and one with a coffee shop and tables to enjoy treats and watch the cats through a window. This gives customers the option to visit the cafe and not interact with the cats.
Take Meow Home
Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue, a local animal rescue, operates the cat side of the cafe. The rescue ensures all cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, healthy, and have a friendly demeanor before bringing them to the lounge.
“I have always wanted to do this,” says Schirado, executive director of Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue. “When I think about the almost 80 cats that have been adopted from the cafe since December, it has me in tears most days.”
Isaac Miller adopted a 
cat, Beans, from Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue previously, and after visiting Dakota Cat Cafe, ending up adopting another cat, Cornbread. “I wasn’t thinking I was going to adopt another cat,” he says. “It is nice to be able to play with the cats to see if it is a good fit.”
Miller says he is glad Beans has a friend, and Cornbread has a loving home.
“The best part of the cafe is letting people play and visit with the animals,” notes Schirado. “It allows people to visit in a home-like atmosphere, get to know the cats and possibly take one home.”
“Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue ‘touches’ approximately 4,000 animals each year. This includes not only adoptions but helping animals in a variety of ways including rescuing from the shelters, fostering, working with of local non-profit organizations, spay and neutering, sending animals to other rescues, and more,” says Schirado.
Pawsitively Delicious
Dakota Cat Cafe serves a large variety of hot, cold, blended, and specialty drinks – many that are named after cats, such as, The Calico or Salty Calico (caramel mocha or salted caramel mocha), The Tuxedo (blended cookies and cream) and The Siamese (chai latte). The cafe also serves seasonal drinks.
“Our cafe is known for our pawpops (cakepops) and sandwiches,” says Kneavel. “The pawpops come from a local bakery, Crust Bakery. Annie Nordlund does an amazing job, and our sandwiches are always made from fresh ingredients and never frozen.”
The cafe also serves a variety of pastries, breakfast foods and snacks and has games and books for customers to enjoy. “I hope the cafe becomes known not only for adoptions, but as a place that brings people together and continues to support animal rescue,” says Kneavel.
The Cat’s Meow
“The best part of working at the cafe is definitely getting to spend time with the cats, but it’s also so rewarding to meet other cat lovers in the community,” notes Kneavel. “One of the most special parts is getting to see people connect with a cat and sometimes even find their new fur baby. Being part of those adoption stories makes the job really meaningful.”
“You don’t have to be looking to adopt to be part of what we’re doing,” she continues. “Come grab a drink, spend some time with the cats, meet other cat lovers, and just enjoy the space. Whether you
leave with a new best furry friend or simply a smile, every visit helps support our mission and means so much to us.”
Dakota Cat Cafe is located at 70 Santee Rd., Lincoln, beside DJs Pizza and Lounge. To learn more about Dakota Cat Cafe, visit www.dakotacatcafe.com or call 701-319-7063, and Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue, visit furryfriendsrockinrescue.org.