Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
A new Gatlinburg attraction gives tourists and residents the opportunity to interact with friendly, adoptable cats in a relaxed playroom environment.
“KAT KINGDOM… Where Cats Rule” recently opened at Covered Bridge in the Glades, part of the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community, with a wildcat-themed playroom adorned with perches, catwalks, cubby holes, shelves, cat beds and cat trees for the attraction’s resident and adoptable cats to enjoy.
Sandy Sgrillo, owner of Kat Kingdom, with one of her favorite cats.
Visitors to the attraction can entice cats to play with an assortment of cat toys, pet, brush, feed or just observe the cats. Kat Kingdom is a family friendly attraction that appeals to cat lovers of all ages. It provides a place where people who perhaps cannot have their own cat, or are considering getting a cat, can experience cat behavior and learn about a cat’s needs.
A few of the attraction’s cats belong to Sandy Sgrillo, Kat Kingdom owner. Others are adoptable cats & kittens from the Sevier County Humane Society. The home-like environment of the playroom, with its fireplace and comfortable furniture, allows potential adopters to observe each cat’s true personality, something that is often hard to see in a caged shelter environment where cats are stressed or depressed. Two shelter cats featured at Kat Kingdom have found forever homes since the attraction opened earlier this month.
The Kat Kingdom Playroom
Kat Kingdom cats enjoy the cat tree.
Ms. Sgrillo is a stained glass artist who converted her studio into Kat Kingdom after witnessing how visitors loved petting and playing with her studio cats. The front area of Kat Kingdom displays some of her stained glass creations, as well as an array of cat-themed jewelry and other items for sale. She hopes to expand Kat Kingdom to include a CatNip Café with snacks and beverages, a larger gift shop and a boarding facility with luxurious suites for cats only.
A cat-themed stained glass piece available in the Kat Kingdom gift shop.
Cat-themed jewelry for sale at Kat Kingdom.
Kat Kingdom is located at 849 Glades Road in Gatlinburg. Admission is free for Sevier County residents and $2.50 per person for those visiting the area. Kat Kingdom offers a Sponsor a Cat program where people can sponsor a shelter cat for $10 per month. Donations are also accepted for the care of the adoptable shelter cats. Call 865-436-5911 for more information.
Stop by Kat Kingdom after visiting the Gatlinburg Farmers Market.
