TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Just days after all of the cats were removed from Bajah’s Cat Café due to licensing issues, the Tiverton business has announced plans to partially reopen.
On Friday, Dec. 13, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), along with Tiverton police and animal control, inspected the facility at the request of local officials.
Due to regulatory and compliance issues, owner Amanda Souza-Viera surrendered 18 cats, keeping two that she owned and returning two others to Forever Paws in Fall River. Some of the cats were found to have mild upper respiratory infections, but the RISPCA reported that all appeared well cared for with up-to-date veterinary records.
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Souza-Viera admitted she knew she lacked the proper licensing, but said she was in the process of starting a rescue. Officials notified her of the permits and approvals required to open as a rescue facility, which she intends to pursue so she can accept surrenders and process adoptions.
In the meantime, Bajah’s Cat Cafe announced plans to reopen the café section on Friday, offering coffee, tea, pastries and breakfast sandwiches from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Souza-Viera told NewsNation affiliate WPRI that they have not received any updates on the cats yet, but once they do, they will begin making moves to reopen that part of the café.
“This is a learning and adjustment period for us, so thank you for your patience as we navigate these changes,” Bajah’s Cat Café said in a social media post. “Thank you for your continued support—we couldn’t do this without you!”
