Kitten yoga class in Pittston raises funds for local cat rescue

A one-hour kitten yoga class in Pittston turned Blind Cat Beer Co. at 13 Kennedy St. into a sold-out mix of wellness, rescue fundraising and adoption awareness. On Sunday, May 31, 2026, the 10:30 a.m. session welcomed participants 21 and older and let adoptable kittens from Barbuti Kitten Academy roam the room while the taproom prepared to open at noon.

Lisa Mo led the class, which was set up for all experience levels, including beginners. Admission was $20 in advance and $25 at the door if space was available, and attendees were asked to bring a yoga mat, water and comfortable clothing. The event sold out before the first cat bounded across a mat, underscoring how quickly the novelty of kitten yoga can pull in a crowd when the setup is clear and the cause is concrete.

A portion of the proceeds benefited Barbuti Kitten Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that says its work focuses on pregnant and nursing cats, undersocialized kittens and Trap-Neuter-Return support. Cassandra Barbuti said the event gave the rescue exposure, helped people learn what the organization does and brought in financial support through donations and merchandise. That combination made the class more than a feel-good morning out: it was a direct line from a yoga studio-style experience to local animal welfare.

The event also worked as an easy on-ramp for people who might not otherwise walk into either a yoga class or a rescue fundraiser. Michelle Rabbas, a Dickson City resident, said she loved the rescue’s work and “couldn’t not sign up” because it sounded fun. That instinct captured the appeal of the afternoon, where curiosity about kittens met a low-pressure practice and turned into attention for cats that need homes.

For Pittston, the event’s power was in how neatly it connected all three goals at once. The class gave people a place to move, the rescue got visibility and support, and the kittens got the kind of public introduction that can lead from novelty to adoption.