Purina ONE opening country's first 'cat cafe' in New York City on Thursday

NEW YORK, April 21 (UPI) -- The first cat café in the U.S. will open in New York City on Thursday with the help of Purina ONE and Long Island’s North Shore Animal League.

Visitors at the Purina Cat Cafe can stop in for “conversation and cat health education” as well as the chance to hang out with cats that are up for adoption. According to Sprudge, the coffee service will be provided by “a well-regarded specialty coffee roaster based in Brooklyn.”

The business, which will be open from April 24 through April 27, is unlocking its doors prior to the openings of other planned cat cafes in San Francisco, Oakland and Montreal.

Carrie Ann Inaba of ABC's Dancing with the Stars is partnering with Purina on the project.

"We hope our Cat Cafe is ONE small step toward a greater focus on cat health," said Purina brand manager Brian Williams. "Our goal for the Cat Cafe is to create a rich, interactive environment that empowers cat owners to learn more about their cat's health and nutritional needs.”

The North Shore Animal League is one of the area’s largest no-kill shelters.

[Sprudge] [Purina]