*By Kate Gill*
Christina Ha, founder of the Meow Parlor, wasn't always a cat person. Ha, who is allergic to felines, paid them minimal attention until her husband brought one home ー and she fell deeply, madly in love (although she admitted she takes Benadryl daily).
Eventually, her adoration became a bustling cat cafe in New York City. And now, she's adding another furry business to her portfolio ー cat camp.
"It's basically this weekend adventure," Ha told Cheddar.
"You go and explore your love for cats. We have camp counselors and they're talking about all these different topics from fostering, or your cat going to the vet."
But don't let the name fool you. This camp, [Jackson Galaxy](http://www.catcampnyc.com/schedule), is for cat enthusiasts, not their pets. Attendees are advised to bring their zeal, but leave their cats at home.
The website even includes a stern advisory: "Any guest who attempts to bring in a cat or any other animal will be turned away at the door and will not be given a refund."
"Cats typically don't like to be taken outside," Ha explained.
According to Ha, the camp ー which facilitates fostering for strays ー has found 130 homes for homeless cats over a period of two years. And she's even scored a new sponsor for the business: PetCo.
"It's amazing," she said. "They're really helping us out with sort of spreading that messaging, getting it out there and getting people involved both in stores and at the event. They're really big fans of pushing for people to start fostering," she added.
The weekend-long slate of events includes guest speakers, info sessions, and group exercises about all things cats this June.
Ahead of National Dog Day on Saturday, Alina Hauptman from Best Friends Animal Society joined Cheddar News to discuss adopting a dog from a shelter and what the organization is doing to help pets that have survived the Maui fires.
Jack Dunn, bartender at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, spoke with Cheddar News about the history of the whiskey sour and the process involved in making it.
Today is National Whiskey Sour Day and Cheddar News is celebrating! Michelle Castillo spoke with Celina Perez, head distiller at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, to discuss how the business got started with a state-of-the-art operation and the process involved in making their fine whiskey drinks.
After decades in the ring, a Connecticut man is celebrating after obtaining his first boxing title, thanks to his wife who had a personal battle of her own and guided him.
A Jersey Shore man has painted sea shells -- nearly 500 of them -- to raise awareness around epilepsy that have traveled as far as Asia and Australia.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the most likely nominees for the 2024 presidential election, but you won't see many new books about either this fall. A Barnes & Noble official says there's “an exhaustion of interest" in political titles right now, even in books about Trump, Biden's immediate predecessor in the White House.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale Thursday in the U.S. and Canada, as it does each year when the nights start getting longer and the fall winds gather.
Wondering what to watch this weekend? This week we have a wacky combo of a bat mitzvah battle, Jake Paul, and a weird medieval podcast.
A man in Georgia set a Guinness World Record for having the most Batman memorabilia.
Cheddar News explores how you can enjoy a more affordable getaway while staying local. The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in New York City offers a day getaway with convenience and nostalgia as added ingredients.
