Less than a year old, the black and white kitten is looking for a forever home
Currently, she lives with other furry friends at Sand & Sea Cat Lounge inside a restored 1930s home at 321 First Colonial Road in Virginia Beach
The lounge, designed as a coastal space with a main Seaside Lounge for adult cats and a Sandbar room for younger kittens, is a nonprofit that focuses on rescue and adoption. Visitors will also find an array of cat-themed gifts, accessories and apparel inside the home
Founder Katie Sims said her journey started in 2022 when a feral cat showed up in her backyard. She named him Tom-Tom and began sharing her progress with the cat on social media. Earning his trust took months of consistency, love and patience , she said
“People from all over the world started following along,” Sims said. “Watching him transform from a frightened street cat into a loving companion inspired me to get involved in rescue work, fostering and helping other cats like him.”
Tom-Tom died in 2023, but his legacy inspired Sims to start Katie Cats Rescue and Sand & Sea Cat Lounge
After 21 years as a special education teacher, Sims retired and opened her cat lounge in May. Since opening, it’s helped over 80 rescue cats find their forever homes. She never imagined that one little stray cat showing up in her backyard would completely change the direction of her life