a world we share
Constellation Cat Cafe - a safe space for cats and humans.
Purple shades of lavender and lilac immediately embrace you as you walk into the Constellation Cat Cafe, just off of Lake Lansing Road.
The warm hit of espresso instantly beckons you to the drink counter that is adorned with mini pride flags. And as you look to your left, a room full of kittens, fat cats, old cats, lazy cats, and crazy orange cats can be seen through a wall of windows.
Just a few minutes from Michigan State’s campus and East Lansing public schools, younger folks can always be found in the Constellation Cat Cafe—whether they’re snuggling with the kittens or sipping a matcha latte after a late night studying.
The Constellation Cat Cafe is a heartfelt space in the community, created to provide “a safe environment for all people to discover the joy of pet ownership”. Everyone, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, are welcome to the Cat Cafe as a safe space.
The warm hit of espresso instantly beckons you to the drink counter that is adorned with mini pride flags. And as you look to your left, a room full of kittens, fat cats, old cats, lazy cats, and crazy orange cats can be seen through a wall of windows.
Just a few minutes from Michigan State’s campus and East Lansing public schools, younger folks can always be found in the Constellation Cat Cafe—whether they’re snuggling with the kittens or sipping a matcha latte after a late night studying.
The Constellation Cat Cafe is a heartfelt space in the community, created to provide “a safe environment for all people to discover the joy of pet ownership”. Everyone, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, are welcome to the Cat Cafe as a safe space.
Reporter
Sloane Barlow
Photo
Sophia Plantz
Sloane Barlow
Lucy Botting
Video
Alaya Pack
Nicole Segura
Sloane Barlow
Lucy Botting
Editor
Nicole Segura
Web Design
Lucy Botting
Sloane Barlow
Photo
Sophia Plantz
Sloane Barlow
Lucy Botting
Video
Alaya Pack
Nicole Segura
Sloane Barlow
Lucy Botting
Editor
Nicole Segura
Web Design
Lucy Botting
"A Black Lives Matter and Pride Flag is seen through the door of the Constellation cat Cafe just after closing at 8pm on February 23rd, 2025" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
“Barista, Annie Desai, is creating one of the many drink options they serve at the Constellation Cafe during her shift on April 7th, 2025.” (Photo by Sophia Plantz)
“Constellation cups sold in the cafe section of the shop with Barista Annie Desai in the background.” (Photo by Sophia Plantz)
"One of the cats perches on the window whilst visitors of the Constellation Cat Cafe work in the background" (Photo by Sophia Plantz)
“Braunwyn is petting one of the cats while she’s visiting the cafe with her boyfriend, Anthony for his birthday on April 7th, 2025.” (Photo by Sophia Plantz)
"A volunteer and member of the MSU rotoract club pets one of the cats in its enclosure at the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"A tabby cat prances across the windowsill of the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"Some souls find each other not with words, but within the quiet presence of touch"
photo by Sloane Barlow
photo by Sloane Barlow
One of the cats pokes its head through a play pen in the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan. The cafe provides a welcoming home for its cats that stay there whilst waiting to find a new family.
photos by Lucy Botting
“It’s really nice to be able to go somewhere and feel safe and feel like people are respecting your pronouns, respecting your existence as a human,” said Rowan Giffel, 28, volunteer coordinator and adoptions coordinator.
photo by Sloane Barlow
photo by Sloane Barlow
The Cat Cafe is a place truly meant for anyone and everyone. Younger children have their birthday parties in the cat room, and older folks can be found sitting with a fellow senior cat in their lap.
“For students, it's a nice de-stresser too,” said Mia Teller, 22. “The world can be scary, and starting off new—like, fresh out of college or fresh in college—it’s a lot of unknown.”
photo bt sloane barlow
Teller, a senior at Michigan State, first walked into the cafe two years ago with her boyfriend. She ended up adopting a four-month-old tuxedo cat, originally named Hasla on Sept. 29, 2023 and renamed him “Scooter”.
“We love him so much and are excited to adopt more in the future,” Teller said.
Teller was moved by the Cat Cafe’s unique purpose of finding homes for cats and holding a safe space for community members. She decided she wanted to be a part of the impactful mission.
“We love him so much and are excited to adopt more in the future,” Teller said.
Teller was moved by the Cat Cafe’s unique purpose of finding homes for cats and holding a safe space for community members. She decided she wanted to be a part of the impactful mission.
As a member (and now President) of Michigan State’s Rotaract Club, Teller created a collaboration with the Cat Cafe and helped organize donations and volunteer shifts to help take care of the animals and the cafe space.
“We actually had a few members since the last time we were here adopt cats, so that just helps everyone,” Teller said. “That helps the cafe out, the kittens get a new home, and the students have furry friends.”
“We actually had a few members since the last time we were here adopt cats, so that just helps everyone,” Teller said. “That helps the cafe out, the kittens get a new home, and the students have furry friends.”
"A sign detailing the love you gain from adopting a cat sits next to the coat rack at the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"A volunteer and member of the MSU rotoract club feeds the cats at the Constellation cat cafe in Okemos, Mi" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"Three of the cats available for adoption at the Constellation cat cafe in Okemos, Michigan share a bowl of food." (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"A ginger cat is finally out of its cage ready to be assessed and welcomed to its new temporary home at the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan." (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"On the wall of the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan is display of all the current cats available to adopt or simply spend time with in the cafe" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
"Gus, a ginger tabby cat is one of the many cats at the Constellation Cat Cafe in Okemos, Michigan that is looking for a new home" (Photo by Lucy Botting)
In just four years, the Cat Cafe has united 2500 families with rescued cats. In fact, they are moving to a larger space to help even more people and animals in need.
Over the course of this past year, they have raised $45,000 to renovate “New Casa” from a townhouse in Old Town Lansing. New Casa is planned to open later this year, depending on construction.
Written by Sloane Barlow
Over the course of this past year, they have raised $45,000 to renovate “New Casa” from a townhouse in Old Town Lansing. New Casa is planned to open later this year, depending on construction.
Written by Sloane Barlow
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Sharing stories of care,
inspiration, and community.
inspiration, and community.
WHERE WE MEET is a multimedia project researched, pitched, produced, and distributed by the JRN 410: Advanced Photojournalism class at Michigan State University (MSU)—School of Journalism. After narrowing their story topic to third places, our visual journalists decided to document where the Lansing community builds safe spaces for people to discover common ground away from home.
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Acapella group, Spartan Dischords, provides safe haven and inclusive community for MSU students of all backgrounds including, LGBTQ student, Michael Soverinsky.
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Eclectic Abduction
Tristian Laney expresses his identity as an artist, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a Spartan through fashion design.
