Sono International has inaugurated the Purr Lounge, an urban adoption hub for stray and abandoned cats, at its new headquarters in Magok-dong, southwestern Seoul. The leisure, hospitality, and construction conglomerate announced the opening on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Sono Veterinary Foundation.
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Located on the first floor of Sono Trinity Commons, Purr Lounge aims to serve as a participatory animal welfare center rather than a conventional cat cafe. Its mission focuses on rehabilitating rescued cats and promoting responsible pet adoption.
The Sono Veterinary Foundation, which has partnered with Gangwon State to enhance adoption and medical care for stray cats, provides veterinary services at the hub. This support allows for emotional and physical rehabilitation of the cats before they are adopted into permanent homes. Each cat benefits from health checkups, treatment, and personalized emotional care, along with socialization training tailored to their specific needs.
To foster a "healthy adoption ecosystem free of returns," Purr Lounge employs a screening process called Purr Bridge. This procedure includes in-depth interviews, assessments of potential adopters' living environments, and mandatory pre-adoption training, emphasizing a culture of responsible pet ownership.
Additionally, the center offers a Purr Pass, which features merchandise with the facility's mascot, Puru, and includes a beverage voucher for the on-site cafe, Flower Flow. All proceeds from the Purr Pass are directed toward supporting cat rescue and adoption initiatives.
An official from Sono International stated that Purr Lounge reflects the company's commitment to life respect and social responsibility in an urban setting. The company plans to continue collaborating with the Sono Veterinary Foundation to enhance animal protection efforts and advance sustainable corporate governance.