Holland’s Purr-fect Place
If you’re driving down Lakewood on your way to the State Park, you might notice a cozy little spot filled with purrs, playfulness, and the occasional lap cat. That’s the Holland Cat Cove! This cat adoption lounge is run by Jennifer, who blends her love of cats, her corporate smarts, and her West Michigan hospitality into one delightful community space.
Here’s the fun part: Jennifer will be the first to tell you this wasn’t a lifelong dream. “I grew up with cats,” she says. “But opening a cat lounge? That wasn’t even on my radar until the last year.” After a long corporate career (and a pandemic foster fail—looking at you, Wyatt 🐱), Jennifer found herself dreaming of something different. When her company in Chicago was acquired and she faced a career transition, she thought, “Let’s do something different.”
She had already experienced the joy of cat lounges after visiting one in Chicago and another in Grand Rapids. And with family in Holland and Grand Rapids, it felt like the perfect place to create something new. Thus, the Cat Cove was born. This space invites people to relax with cats from Harbor Humane Society, enjoy locally made drinks and goods, and maybe (okay, probably) fall in love with a furry friend or two.
When you walk into the Cat Cove, you immediately feel welcomed by the playful cats and kittens. One of Jennifer’s favorite parts of running the Cat Cove is seeing all of the cats greet her at the door in the morning (pictured above).
“My ideal experience is that people come in and cats are just being cats. Some visitors want to play, some want to snuggle, and usually there’s a cat ready for both,” she explains. “I want people to feel safe, welcomed, and reminded of why this matters.” Every adoption still goes through Harbor Humane, but Jennifer functions as a foster, caring for the cats while they wait for their fur-ever homes. With 12–15 cats in the lounge at any given time, most only stay a few days before finding their match.
And the matches are the best part. Jennifer lights up talking about moments when someone walks in just to “see the cats” and leaves completely smitten. “Couples come in saying, ‘We’re not getting a cat,’ and by the end they’re like, ‘Okay, maybe…’” she laughs. Some of her favorite memories involve older adults who find companionship in a cat they never expected.
But Cat Cove isn’t just about cats—it’s about community. Jennifer loves asking visitors what they’d like to see for sale or what events they’d enjoy. She partners with local makers, like a Zeeland teen who creates earrings as a calming outlet, and stocks only Michigan-based drinks and treats. They have also recently kicked off various events like Cat Yoga and Knittin’ with Kittens to get the entire community involved.
Yellow Lime had the privilege of working with Jennifer to bring her vision to life through her brand and website. From the beginning, she wanted something approachable, fun, and true to her mission—and we couldn’t be prouder of how it reflects both Jennifer and the cozy vibe of Cat Cove itself.
When she’s not at the Cat Cove, Jennifer likely has her nose in a book, is trying out yoga, cooking something delicious, or exploring the great outdoors (fun fact: she used to be a triathlete, but, knees, ya know).
So, what can we all learn from the cats of Cat Cove? “Cats are calming. They remind us to slow down, play, and find joy in the simple things,” Jennifer says. And really, who couldn’t use a little more of that?
Ready to meet your new furry friend or just hang out with some whiskered companions? Visit the Cat Cove in person or follow them online to keep up with all of the mischief those cats are up to.
