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Mini Cat Town, the nonprofit that invites the public to pet and adopt kittens, will be leaving its location Stanford Shopping Center early next month, its founders announced.
The Stanford location opened in last year and became an instant hit with the local public, with people regularly walking in to play with kittens or lining up outside its glass entrance to observe. Thoa Bui, who founded the nonprofit with her sisters, Thi and Tram, told this publication that the Stanford location had the highest adoption rates among the five location.
But the organization was on the verge of closing in January, after the city’s code enforcement officials concluded that its operations fail to comply with local codes relating to animal businesses. The Department of Planning and Development Services ultimately relented after a public outcry and interference from several council members who had opposed its closure.
While the department’s reversal offered Mini Cat Town a temporary reprieve, the nonprofit is now leaving for a different reason: its lease has expired. Thoa Bui, who founded the nonprofit with her two sisters, told this publication that its Stanford location was always meant ot be a pop-up. Simon Properties, which managers the mall, has granted it numerous extensions as it looked for a permanent tenant for the location.
“Our time in this space has run out, essentially,” Bui said.
She said the mall management has been very accommodating and communicative throughout the process. But while they are leaving Stanford Shopping Center, the Bui sisters are hoping to stay in Palo Alto. Thoa Bui said they are currently considering several other locations and hope to have a deal in place soon.
“Less space for more kittens is always going to be a challenge but we are definitely looking to stay in Palo Alto,” she said. “So we’re looking at spaces now and hoping to have a lease signed before we move out.”
If they succeed in finding a new spot, the Bui sisters should have an easier time navigating local regulations. Since January, planning staff and City Manager Ed Shikada made it clear that they won’t be taking any enforcement actions against Mini Cat Town. Instead, the city will be looking at zoning code updates to ensure that nonprofits like it can operate. The city’s Planning and Transportation Commission is scheduled to consider regulations for animal care facilities this spring, according to Shikada.
Bui said that she has spoken about the regulations with Planning Director Jonathan Lait, who indicated that the new regulations will allow the nonprofit to remain in Palo Alto.
“Once we find a new spot, we should be able to sign a lease because they have allowed our use in the city,” Bui said.
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