A recently opened lounge in the Central Business District where cat lovers can pay a fee to bask in the presence of adoptable feline friends has closed temporarily after a few resident cats contracted ringworm.NOLA Cat Lounge announced the closure in a statement posted to social media Tuesday, saying lounge staff would evaluate reopening after a week of cleaning, sanitizing and treatment.
“We really want the public to know that transparency and safety are extremely important to us,” owner Kelly Johnson-Hill said Wednesday. “We would never knowingly or intentionally put our guests, their families, their pets, or our cats at risk. That is exactly why we chose to take swift action and temporarily close rather than take any unnecessary chances.”
Johnson-Hill said her employees check the cats every day for signs of various illnesses and infections like ringworm, a treatable fungal infection akin to athlete’s foot that’s common in animal rescue and shelter organizations.
Johnson-Hill said the infected cats were removed from the lounge as soon as signs of ringworm were apparent. Staff is working with rescue and veterinary partners to develop treatment plans and gather supplies.Customers who have visited NOLA Cat Lounge recently and may have been exposed to ringworm will not necessarily develop the infection or pass it on to their pets at home, Johnson-Hill said. But she encouraged guests to monitor themselves and their pets for any unusual skin irritation or areas of hair loss and contact their doctors or veterinarians with concerns.
Though the lounge already has health and safety protocols in place, Johnson-Hill said she will likely increase sanitation and prevention efforts going forward, including providing disposable shoe covers for guests.“We are doing everything our veterinarians have recommended and then some,” Johnson-Hill said. “The cats are being cared for, and we are thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the lounge. Unfortunately, some furniture, cat supplies, toys and other items that cannot be adequately disinfected may need to be discarded and replaced as an additional precaution.”
Johnson-Hill opened NOLA Cat Lounge at 1029 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. to sold-out crowds this spring and has since offered reserved and walk-in visits, along with other special events like cat yoga and cat bingo.
The unexpected closure is a financial hit for the new business, and Johnson-Hill said she plans to announce fundraising efforts on social media soon. For now, community members and customers hoping to support NOLA Cat Lounge can purchase supplies to replace items that had to be thrown out through the business’ Amazon wishlist.
“I truly never anticipated such an overwhelming response from people asking how they can help,” Johnson-Hill said. “We are incredibly grateful and feel so blessed to have this community behind us.”