Kitten-Caused Flood Forces Virginia Cat Café to Close for remainder of Year
A beloved Richmond, Virginia, cat café, The Purrfect Bean, has been forced to temporarily close its doors after a playful kitten inadvertently caused significant water damage. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of feline curiosity and the challenges of operating a business centered around adoptable animals.
the Purrfect Bean,which opened in August 2025,suffered extensive damage after a 5-month-old tuxedo kitten named Roller,also known as Roll the Dice,triggered a bathroom sink overflow on Tuesday. According to a post on the café’s GoFundMe page, the flood leaked from the cats’ upstairs lounge into the café space below, causing considerable damage.
roller, described as having a penchant for “sneak attacks” on his feline siblings and, apparently, unsuspecting towels, reportedly got into an altercation with a towel and the sink. “The little guy just enjoys exploring,” a company release stated. Fortunately, no cats or humans were harmed during the incident, though some kittens reportedly “enjoyed splashing around in the water.”
The extent of the damage is considerable. According to an evaluation, the storefront’s flooring, ceilings, and walls on the ground floor will need to be wholly redone.The upper-floor bathroom will also require repairs, and essential equipment, including the espresso machine and coffee grinder, must be replaced. As an inevitable result, the café anticipates remaining closed for the rest of the year.
Despite the setback, The purrfect Bean remains committed to its mission of finding homes for adoptable cats. Currently, nine kittens are available for adoption through the café. Since opening, the café has successfully facilitated over 100 adoptions, celebrating each placement with a Polaroid photo added to a growing display near the entrance.
the café is actively seeking support from the community to cover the costs of repairs and provide financial assistance to its temporarily out-of-work staff. A local pay-what-you-can fundraiser will be held Saturday at Byrd Park, with support from TikTok personalities “The Tiramasu Guy” and “Find Your Exit Plan,” a local matcha cart. A GoFundMe campaign has also been established for staff members impacted by the closure.
“We are beyond grateful to be in a city that is built on community. The love and support truly means the world to us,” the café crew wrote on Facebook.
The Purrfect Bean is known for its eclectic naming conventions for its feline residents,with past cats boasting names like Jumpin’ Jack Flash,Hole Punch,Hickory Dickory Dock,and even Anastasia Romanov. While the names are creative, they are always subject to change by prospective adopters.
The incident serves as a reminder of the joys – and occasional chaos – that come with sharing space with curious cats, and the strong community support that exists for businesses like The Purrfect Bean.
