Over Labor Day weekend, I visited the Savannah area. One of the places I went was an area seafood restaurant on Tybee Island, The Crab Shack, that doesn’t just feature amazing seafood. It also features lots of resident cats.
One of the first things you see when you arrive at The Crab Shack is a pool with alligators in it. They work with an organization in Florida to care for baby alligators until they reach four feet, then they go back in exchange for new, little alligators. This kitty was snoozing beside the alligator pool. Don’t worry, the alligators are on the other side of the chain link fence in the background!
The hostess stand at the front of the restaurant has a sign letting patrons know that the cats are cared for and shouldn’t be fed. Do you think the dozen resident cats ever read the sign?
The restaurant was once a fish camp, and seating includes screened-in areas (no cats allowed!) and a deck that overlooks Chimney Creek. What self-respecting cat could resist checking out the potential handouts in a place like this, especially when most of it is enticing seafood?
We were there at the beginning of lunchtime on the day after tropical storm Hermine came through, but the cats weren’t bothered by the extra debris on the deck or the thin early-lunch crowd. Patches the tortoiseshell came to check out what we were eating.
It’s pretty obvious that despite the signs asking patrons not to feed the cats, some of the cats have learned to really work the dining area. It must be impossible to put a kitty like Pretty Girl on a diet under those circumstances!
Especially when she gives humans The Look. She really knows how to melt human hearts.
Signage explains that the cats at The Crab Shack are “not feral, they are family.” Perhaps that explains why the majority of them aren’t ear-tipped like feral cats.
The way the cats are clearly relaxed around people is another clue that they aren’t feral. Smoky was napping half in and half out of the shade, ignoring strangers walking past.
Cat shelters near the entrance to the gift shop have food available for cats who aren’t really into seafood.
Mr. Puddy wouldn’t even look up from his meal outside the Cat Shack shelter for a photo.
While Boris the big Russian Blue snoozed inside the shelter, along with some leaves that probably blew in during the previous day’s storm.
By the time we left, Mr. Puddy was in the parking lot to see us off and welcome more lunch-hour visitors.
When you’re far from home and your own cats, visiting a place with friendly cats is always fun, but the Crab Shack cats were a special bunch. I look forward to returning to see them again!
Summer says
September 12, 2016 at 3:50 amWhat an awesome place – now my human wants to eat there!
Oz the Terrier says
September 12, 2016 at 8:06 amI have heard about that place! What an amazing spot for the kitties to hang out, socialize and be well cared for. You are right, Pretty Girl sure has her “look” down! I bet she gets way too many seafood treats!
The Island Cats says
September 12, 2016 at 8:23 amThat is one cool restaurant! Those cats have the best home.
Madi says
September 12, 2016 at 9:01 amMy peeps love Savannah. Next time they visit they must find the Crab Shack.
The resident kitties are beautiful
thanks for sharing this fun info
Hugs madi your bfff
Ellen Pilch says
September 12, 2016 at 10:01 amSuch beautiful kitties, I love that they have signs saying the are well fed and cared for. Also glad the alligators are behind a chain link fence 🙂
da tabbies o trout towne says
September 12, 2016 at 11:18 amguys….how total lee awesum with a cap a tull T iz thiz place….we haz R bags packed & R sew reddy ta moove south ……tell yur mom we said thanx for sharin thiz post……we think itz gotta be one oh R fav oh ritez yet !!!!!! ♥♥♥☺☺☺
Connie says
September 12, 2016 at 12:36 pmI hate seafood. the only thing I hate more than seafood is the smell of seafood when I want to eat a meal, but I would so TOTALLY go there.. the signage alone would get me to give them my money
Colehaus Cats says
September 12, 2016 at 1:24 pmThat is adorable and so cool! Our Mom might have squeed a bit when she saw Patches the Tortie.
Brian says
September 12, 2016 at 2:21 pmThat is very cool and the kitties do look happy and healthy!
Flynn says
September 12, 2016 at 2:49 pmThat looks like a great place with lots of lovely kitties.
The Swiss Cats says
September 12, 2016 at 2:52 pmWhat a great place ! Purrs
Emma and Buster says
September 12, 2016 at 5:35 pmMom’s dream to visit a establishment that has lots of cats to ogle and pet.
Melissa & Mudpie says
September 12, 2016 at 5:38 pmWhat an amazing place!!! I sure would love to visit one day.
Cathy Keisha says
September 12, 2016 at 9:17 pmGreat place to visit. Pretty Girl has the shape of TW’s Nicky who never missed to meal and worked the neighborhood for treats.
Three Chatty Cats says
September 12, 2016 at 10:29 pmThis looks like a really fun place to dine! I wish there was a place like that close to me.
mommakatandherbearcat says
September 13, 2016 at 5:45 amWhere do I sign up? ~Bear Cat
Caren Gittleman says
September 14, 2016 at 7:20 amThis is BEYOND cool!!!!! I love the Crab Shack anyway but cats there are just an added bonus! I love how they care for them! Thank you for sharing this with us!