By: Travis Mane
Cattyshack Cafe is celebrating the launch of its 2025 Purrfect Heroes Calendar, featuring unique and creative designs. This isn’t just a collection of cute cat photos—it’s a vibrant collaboration that unites adoptable rescue kittens with the brave firefighters of the San Carlos Park Fire Department. Through this creative endeavor, the cafe’s co-founders, Amber Redfern and Andrew Townsend, demonstrate how innovation and compassion work together to create change.
Amber and Andrew, known to their patrons as the “purrprietors” of Cattyshack Cafe, are no strangers to thinking outside the box. From day one, their mission has been clear: to create a welcoming space where people can connect with adoptable cats while making a real difference in the community. They describe the calendar project as a reflection of their business’s spirit.
Each month of the Purrfect Heroes Calendar features a striking image of a local firefighter alongside an irresistibly photogenic kitten, both poised to melt hearts and inspire action. But this project is more than eye candy. The proceeds from calendar sales will support three key organizations: the Gulf Coast Humane Society, the San Carlos Park Fire & Rescue Benevolent Association, and Cattyshack Cafe’s own initiatives to address shelter overcrowding and connect rescue cats with loving homes.
The concept for the calendar emerged from Amber and Andrew’s shared vision for blending creativity with purpose. Amber’s background in higher education and Andrew’s former career as a professional poker player may seem worlds apart, but their shared passion for animals brought them together. They’ve built Cattyshack Cafe not just as a business, but as a community cornerstone where every cup of coffee and every adoption story contributes to a larger mission.
Bringing the calendar to life wasn’t without its challenges. Amber and Andrew worked closely with the Gulf Coast Humane Society to coordinate the photo shoot, aiming to feature kittens that were both adorable and adoptable. Partnering with the San Carlos Park Fire Department added an additional layer of coordination, resulting in a calendar that reflects themes of resilience, warmth, and hope.
The Purrfect Heroes Calendar is not just a local initiative; it’s an opportunity for cat lovers to connect and celebrate their shared passion. With online availability, anyone can support the cause, regardless of where they live. Social media buzz is already building, with each share amplifying the message and bringing greater attention to the pressing need for animal adoptions and community support.
Cattyshack Cafe has always been about more than just coffee and cats. Since opening, the cafe has facilitated over 2,300 adoptions, offering a second chance to countless rescue animals. Their efforts have earned them a nomination for FGCU’s 2025 Alumni Business of the Year, a recognition that reflects their innovative business model and commitment to giving back.
Andrew’s connection to FGCU, where he secured seed funding through the Runway Program, underscores the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Cattyshack Cafe. But Amber and Andrew’s aspirations go far beyond personal accolades. Their vision is to build a better future for animals, their adopters, and the community at large.
While the calendar is a major milestone, it’s just one facet of Cattyshack Cafe’s broader impact. The business regularly sponsors mental health initiatives, partners with organizations to support grieving children, and hosts events like Legacy Pro Sport’s Annual Pickleball Gala. Amber and Andrew use their platform to address societal challenges, showing how small businesses can contribute to meaningful change.
At its heart, the Purrfect Heroes Calendar embodies the philosophy that guides Cattyshack Cafe: “It’s about the connection, not purrfection.” Each sale is a step closer to reducing shelter overcrowding, supporting local heroes, and inspiring others to take action. The calendar highlights the bond between rescue kittens and first responders, emphasizing themes of community and compassion.
Amber and Andrew’s journey with Cattyshack Cafe is far from over. They envision their cafe as the foundation for even greater projects, from scaling rescue efforts to championing innovative ways to connect people and animals. Their mission is clear: to continue building on their success and making an even bigger impact, one paw at a time.
For those looking to support this mission, the Purrfect Heroes Calendar is available now through Cattyshack Cafe’s website. Each purchase not only celebrates the charm of rescue kittens and the bravery of local firefighters but also helps fuel the vital work of organizations dedicated to creating a better future. Whether near or far, anyone can participate in this effort and contribute to making a difference.
Published by Stephanie M.
