In an act of extraordinary dedication, Alexis Dexter, owner of a Vermont cat cafe, resorted to intentionally damaging her own establishment to ensure the safety of dozens of feline occupants when faced with impending flooding.
The dire situation unfolded as heavy rainfall inundated Downtown Barre in July, leaving Dexter with no choice but to anticipate water infiltrating her café. However, her primary concern was the well-being of the 57 cats sheltered on the cafe’s first floor.
Dexter recounted her immediate response, stating, “It was ‘get the cats, put them in a carrier, and put them up high,’ as many as you could and as quickly as you could.” Swiftly, she positioned the kittens on shelves several feet above the ground.
Yet, as the water continued to rise, Dexter had to adapt her strategy rapidly. “By the time that was done, there was easily 4-6 inches of water on the ground, and it was coming through the cracks of the door,” she explained. In this critical moment, a primal instinct took over. “A caveman mentality struck me, and I said, ‘I need to get this water somewhere else.'”
The immediate goal was to divert the water to the basement. In a frenzied effort, Dexter and her staff wielded hammers to create holes in the floor, channeling a staggering 7 feet of water into the cellar.
Although the basement sustained significant damage, Dexter firmly believes that this drastic action ultimately saved the lives of the vulnerable kittens. “I just knew I had 57 different lives depending on me,” she expressed.
Having acted as a hero for her feline charges, Alexis Dexter now seeks assistance to support the cafe’s recovery efforts. “Unlike a normal business where when you’re closed, you’re not paying staff or paying for supplies, we still have cats to feed, clean, and take to the vet,” Dexter noted.
While the path to reopening remains challenging, Dexter is determined to be better prepared for any future emergencies. She plans to modify her man-made holes into functional drain holes, ensuring swift action in response to flash flood warnings. “If someone says there is a flash flood warning, I’m going to pop open the little holes in the floor and I’m going to sit and wait,” she affirmed.
For those interested in adopting one of the cats, appointments to meet them can be scheduled with Alexis through the cafe’s website.
