AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 26, 2026
Catcade Reopens Following Unexpected Incident
The Catcade, a popular cat adoption lounge located in Lakeview, Chicago, has welcomed back visitors after a brief closure caused by a broken window. The lounge, known for letting patrons relax and interact with adoptable cats for a flat fee, experienced the incident on Wednesday, October 21, when a window was smashed.
Timeline of the Incident
According to Shelly Casey, Co-Director of the Catcade, the precise cause of the broken window remains unclear. "We can speculate to what we think happened, but we don’t know anything further. The police don’t have any other answers," Casey said in an interview. The event prompted immediate concern for the safety and well-being of the 31 cats housed at the lounge, but fortunately, none escaped.
Community Steps Up for Cat Safety
When Catcade staff arrived at the scene, they encountered a concerned neighbor inside the building helping to ensure the cats stayed away from the compromised window. "One guy was inside of the building just trying to keep the cats from the window," Casey recalled. Another neighbor assisted by sweeping away broken glass with a broom he had brought from home.
Quick Response by Cat Fosters
All 31 cats were successfully and promptly placed into local foster homes by Thursday morning. The Catcade employees relied on trusted foster parents they knew through various local foster groups, ensuring the animals' safety while repairs were underway.
Rapid Community Support and Window Repair
Within 24 hours of the incident, the Catcade's community rallied together to raise the necessary funds for window repair. This outpouring of support enabled the damaged window to be fixed by Friday night. By then, all the fostered cats had returned, and the lounge was ready to welcome visitors once again.
Gratitude for the Cat Adoption Community
Shelly Casey emphasized the importance of the Catcade's community, stating, "We are so grateful to the community." The rapid response and generous support from neighbors, foster families, and supporters ensured that the cats remained safe and that the lounge continued its mission of promoting animal welfare and cat adoption in Lakeview, Chicago.
For more information on the Catcade and its adoption programs, visit their official website at thecatcade.org.
Source: wgntv.com.
