We're Currently HIRING in NYC
1 position - hybrid Cat Cafe and FOster Associate
🐾 Join Meow Parlour as Our Cat Care & Foster Program Associate! 🐾
Location: Lower East Side, NYC | In-person role (4 days/week)
Are you a cat-savvy professional with a heart for rescue, a head for logistics, and a talent for connecting with people? Meow Parlour—NYC’s first cat café—is looking for a compassionate, organized, and proactive individual to split their time between our cat lounge and our foster program.
This role is ideal for someone with strong administrative skills, great communication instincts, and a desire to make a real difference in the lives of cats and the people who love them. If you're looking for meaningful work and you're not afraid to scoop a litter box while answering emails, read on!
About Meow Parlour
Since 2014, Meow Parlour has welcomed thousands of guests into our cozy cat café, helping hundreds of adoptable cats find forever homes. Through our foster program, we provide specialized care to vulnerable cats—including seniors, kittens, and medical cases—until they're ready for adoption. Our mission is to connect people with cats through kindness, education, and community.
Your Role: Cat Care & Foster Program Associate
You’ll spend 2 days a week in the cat lounge, ensuring our resident cats are well-cared for and guests have a welcoming and meaningful experience. The other 2 days a week will be focused on the foster program, providing administrative support and working directly with fosters to keep things running smoothly.
Key Responsibilities
Cat Lounge Duties (2 days/week - full day shifts 9:30 am - 6:30 or 7:30 pm):
Provide daily care for resident cats (feeding, cleaning, enrichment)
Welcome guests and guide them through the cat lounge experience
Ensure the space is clean, safe, and peaceful for cats and visitors
Communicate with the manager about any cat behavior or health concerns
Foster Program Support (2 days/week - full day shifts from 10 am - 5 pm):
Oversee the care of approximately 50 cats in the foster program - Coordinate intake, vet visits, supplies, and communication with fosters
Develop relationships with foster homes and communicate with them via email and Slack.
Screen foster applications and interview potential new foster homes
Update cat records, track medical care, and maintain adoption/foster databases
Assist with adoption logistics and ensure all documentation is complete and accurate
Support social media and storytelling efforts to showcase foster cats
Who You Are
You must have personal experience fostering cats—this is a non-negotiable part of the job
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized and comfortable with spreadsheets, digital files, and workflows
Able to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
Available to work on-site 4 days a week, including some weekends
Comfortable talking to all kinds of people with empathy and professionalism
Experience with cats, especially rescue or medical cats (personal or professional)
A calm, solution-oriented team player who can juggle tasks with a sense of humor
Self-motivated and mature—ideally with 5+ years of work experience (animal welfare, admin, customer service, or nonprofit a plus)
Bonus points for: familiarity with shelter software, Google Drive, and Slack
Details
Schedule: 4 full days/week (some weekend availability required)
Location: In-person at Meow Parlour in the Lower East Side
Compensation: $18-20/hour. Based on experience. Cat cafe shifts include tips. All employees are eligible to participate in the 401k after 3 months.
Perks: Paid training, staff discounts, meaningful work, and cat coworkers
Possibility to transfer to a full-time foster coordinator position in the future.
How to Apply
To apply, please fill out this hiring form.
We’re hiring Seasonal sales associates!
We’re seeking enthusiastic, cat-loving individuals to join our team for the 2024 holiday season at some of NYC’s most popular holiday markets. Position can be part-time or full-time, at least 3 days a week including at least 1 weekend day. Weekday shifts are typically for the whole day.
Responsibilities:
Engage with customers: Greet shoppers with a warm, friendly attitude and provide excellent customer service.
Sales: Assist customers with purchases, handle cash and credit card transactions using point-of-sale systems.
Inventory Management: Restock displays and manage inventory to ensure our booth looks inviting and organized.
Booth Setup & Maintenance: Help restock the booth at the start of the day and ensure it remains neat and festive throughout the day.
Be a Cat Enthusiast: Channel your love for cats to create a fun, engaging shopping experience for all!
Requirements:
Customer Service Skills: You have previous retail or sales experience and are comfortable interacting with customers in a busy market setting.
Friendly and Outgoing: You enjoy engaging with people and creating a fun, friendly atmosphere.
Reliable: Ability to commit to a set schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays (a must in December!).
Organized: You can manage inventory, restock efficiently, and keep the booth tidy.
Comfortable with POS Systems: Basic experience with cash handling and operating a point-of-sale system (training will be provided).
Love for Cats: Whether you’re a proud cat parent or simply appreciate feline culture, we want you to share the enthusiasm with our customers.
Benefits:
$18-20 hourly rate + tips with many opportunities for bonuses based on sales performance.
Employee discount on all of our products.
Be part of a fun, festive team with a shared love of cats!
How to Apply:
If you're excited about selling cute cat-themed gifts and spreading holiday cheer, we'd love to hear from you! Please send your resume, a brief cover letter explaining why you’re a great fit for this role and your availability to meow (@) meowparlour.com. Be sure to include any relevant retail experience and a few lines about your favorite feline friend or why you love cats!