News Summary
The Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe in Tupelo, Mississippi, will close on October 31 due to financial difficulties after two successful years of operation. In its time, the cafe facilitated approximately 250 cat adoptions and has become a cherished community hub. Remaining cats will be adopted for free as the cafe seeks to find them loving homes, continuing its mission of feline welfare and education in the community. The owner, Marcie Harper, plans to maintain a presence on social media to promote feline care.
Tupelo, Mississippi – The Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe, a beloved establishment known for its role in cat adoptions, announced its closure on Thursday. After two successful years of operation, the cafe will close its doors on October 31 or once all remaining cats are adopted. The owner, Marcie Harper, cited financial difficulties as the primary reason making it no longer feasible to continue operations.
On the same day as the closure announcement, eleven children from northeast Mississippi were adopted into their forever homes, highlighting the cafe’s impact on the community. The Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe, which opened in the summer of 2022, has facilitated approximately 250 cat adoptions throughout its operation. As of Saturday around 1:30 p.m., 17 cats remained at the cafe, with adoption fees waived for these pets, allowing them to be adopted for free thanks to support from the local community.
The cafe, which has cultivated a strong online presence with over 271,000 followers on TikTok, has been a family-run venture involving Marcie, her husband Connor, and an employee. The cafe not only provided a unique space for people to interact with cats but also aimed to educate the public about feline care and welfare. Following the cafe’s closure, Marcie Harper plans to continue her TikTok presence, focusing on her own cats.
In addition to facilitating adoptions, the Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe has plans for the cats that may remain unsold by its closing date. Any remaining cats will either be fostered or placed into other shelters. The cafe will also sell pending supplies, branded items, and cat accessories before shutting down. The first rescued cat, named Apollo, was the inspiration behind the cafe’s name, symbolizing the mission and passion behind their operations.
The Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe’s commitment to helping local felines extends beyond its closure, as Harper expressed a desire to continue rescue efforts and possibly foster cats in a more private capacity. The outpouring of community support throughout its operation and the announcement of its closure suggests that the cafe has made a lasting impact on pet adoption activism in Tupelo.
Despite the unfortunate closure, Marcie Harper remains hopeful that another cat cafe may emerge in Tupelo in the future. Meanwhile, the community is encouraged to adopt the remaining cats, allowing them to find loving homes. The cafe’s emphasis on cat welfare and education has established a precedent for future endeavors in promoting feline care in the area. The Twisted Whisker Cat Cafe will be remembered for its successful adoptions and the joy it brought to cat lovers and families alike.
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Additional Resources
- WTVA: Tupelo’s First Cat Cafe Closing
- DJournal: A New Leash on Life
- Clarion Ledger: Nepali Orphanage with Mississippi Ties
- Google Search: Cat Cafes
- Wikipedia: Animal Rescue
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STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
