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Towne Salute Step
TOWNE SALUTE
Cat Colloquium
Creating Purr-fect Community Partners
By Lisa J. Gotto
Visitors are quickly aware of what they are about to get themselves into when they approach the glass panel door upon arrival to the second-floor landing of 215 High Street in Chestertown. We certainly did when we arrived first thing one rainy Tuesday morning to meet with the executive director of this special place with the even more special name, Cat Colloquium. That executive director, Laura Johnstone Wilson, says this is the typical scene for her when she approaches the door, as every one of the 11 cats that call the Colloquium home, are already vying for her attention as they prance, attempt to climb the glass, and generally pace around in a circle, with tails in full-on swish mode.
Once everyone is fed and happy, a mid-morning self-grooming and recreational period begins for the furry residents of this space, which was clearly designed for cats, but accommodates people, as well. We are then able to sit and chat about the incredible space we find ourselves in and about the why and how of its humble beginnings.
Cat Colloquium is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that operates as a meeting space to discuss, engage, and to advocate for animals, children, and the Chestertown community in the company of cats. “Our vision is to create a physical space where the community can come together, in the company of well-supported cats, to engage in opportunities that support animals and children,” states the mission of the Colloquium. “That might mean working together on a fundraiser for a local children’s group, hosting meetings in our space where our cats roam free, attending a workshop on how to educate children about animals, creating a think tank for animal advocacy, or feeding treats to our Citizen Cats.”
Johnstone Wilson quickly dispels any notion that any of this is of her doing, explaining that the vision for this collective and the environment that we are sitting in is solely the brainchild of a long-time friend of hers, a woman who never wishes to be recognized for the community service-oriented work and contributions that she regularly makes to help create a thriving Chestertown.
That was 2019 and the building itself had a wellknown address and a history dating back to the 19-century as the town pharmacy, and the locally famous Stam’s luncheonette. Stam’s was the quintessential soda fountain back in the day where the town’s people gathered regularly to socialize over a root beer float or banana split.
While the pharmacy officially closed in 2016, the luncheonette endured and it remains the community hub for lunches, fountain sodas, and, of course, ice cream on the first floor of the building. Patrons to Stam’s sometimes spy a Colloquium resident through one of the two façade display windows of the luncheonette. The cats have access to the first-floor window via a stairwell where there’s plenty of room for them to play and grab the attention of passersby. Patrons can get to know the cats from the poster that features a photo of each cat and its name that is always visible in the window.
SHE HAD A CHILDHOOD DREAM OF HAVING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COULD JUST GO AND ENJOY CATS. AND WHEN SHE SAW THIS BUILDING COME ON THE MARKET, SHE SAID, ‘THAT’S IT. THAT’S MY CAT PLACE.’”
While this is the most obvious way the Colloquium and the community work together, there are many less obvious but mutually beneficial ways this happens daily upstairs.
“In the beginning, what we wanted to do was adopt cats that we knew we un-adoptable. We knew that our mission was to give back to the community—with an educational twist,” explains Johnstone Wilson. “How that would happen, we weren’t 100-percent sure, we just would start and let it free form. And I have to say it has been beautiful watching it develop.”
What has developed is a one-of-a-kind experience for all who interact here. The facility has been optimized in every imaginable way for cats, including a remarkable, life-size, man-made tree; its trunk fitted with a heavygauge rope. Its huge branches soar upward breaking through an opening to the building’s third floor; many of the branches hold suspended metal baskets perfect for cat naps.
Because cats adore natural light, the space was also designed with a huge atrium above so there’s plenty of room below to just bask in the sun. And there’s other neat features, like the climbing wall, where local artists have volunteered their time and talent to create unique feline-centric works to enhance the space.
Since officially opening in 2020, despite the pandemic, the Colloquium scheduled 4,000 appointments/visits in their first year. The Colloquium is also grateful for the 1,600 hours of volunteer involvement they received that year, and for the continued support the center has received from its volunteer base that ranges from high school and college-age young adults to retirees.
Initially, the volunteers worked primarily in housekeeping roles because of the pandemic, but now their volunteers can wear many hats, including those in mentoring roles, and working with individuals with special needs like autism and ADHD. There are also small classes of local elementary school kids that visit once a month for help with language arts and grammar, and wellness partnerships with practitioners who teach yoga and meditation.
In addition to the education work the Colloquium does, and the roles it plays to help augment the work of the local humane society, like preparing young people for pet adoption, the center is most proud of the healing through human/feline connection that regularly takes place under their roof.
Johnstone Wilson explains that they had one particular young adult visitor with special needs and an inability to speak. For her, the experience consisted of one simple activity with one sweet cat, George. “This young woman came and just placed her head on the cat for 15 minutes; just listening to him purr. Neither the cat nor the woman moved for 15 minutes,” she says, adding that she recalls the event as one of the most emotional experiences she witnessed at the Colloquium.
Whether it’s providing volunteers with knowledge or purpose, visitors with some time to decompress, or offering solace and sanctuary for special felines, the Colloquium’s mission to create community in a warm, friendly, and inquisitive way, is certainly being accomplished.
The Cat Colloquium is open free of charge to the public. Hours of operation are Sunday & Monday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., and Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Private appointments are available at catcolloquium.org, or call 410-778-6369. Donations are always appreciated.
