About
Noah's Ark Pet Center on Madison's east side is, first and foremost, a community institution — a family-run pet store where free-roaming kittens weave between your ankles as you shop. The store rescues cats from high-volume kill shelters in the south and offers them for adoption, and at any given time you might find 20 or more kittens lounging on shelves, perching on displays, and greeting customers like furry store ambassadors. It's a quirky, slightly cluttered, undeniably charming setup that has earned a loyal following over the years.
While Noah's Ark is primarily known for its cats, the store carries a broad selection of pet supplies — dog food, bird supplies, hamster and rat accessories, treats, and toys — at prices that regulars describe as reasonable. They stock wet kitten food in impressive variety and will special order items they don't have on the shelf. The store also houses a grooming operation, with groomer Kelly earning devoted fans among dog owners who praise her skill and warmth with anxious or older dogs.
The staff tends to be friendly and straightforward, with multiple reviewers noting they appreciate the honest recommendations and lack of upselling. The store also sells small animals like hamsters, rats, and birds, and has historically offered freshwater fish, though it's the cat rescue mission that defines the place. Longtime Madison residents recall shopping here since childhood, and the family ownership gives it a neighborhood feel that big-box pet stores can't replicate.
It's worth noting that some adopters have reported health issues with kittens, so prospective cat parents should plan for a vet visit shortly after adoption. The store's 48-hour return policy has frustrated some customers, and a few reviewers flagged pest concerns in bagged food products. But for many Madison pet owners, the warmth of the staff, the joy of shopping alongside purring kittens, and the store's genuine rescue mission keep them coming back year after year.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Free-roaming rescue kittens throughout the store available for adoption
- Cats rescued from high-volume kill shelters in the South
- Dedicated dog groomer Kelly with a loyal following
- Wide variety of pet supplies at reasonable prices with special ordering available
- Family-run Madison institution with a quirky, welcoming atmosphere
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Always have everything I need or will special order. Get to visit with the kittens every time you visit”
— Erika Pedersen5.0a week ago“DO NOT BUY any food from here, this store infested my apartment with larder beetles, any bagged food don't buy it, you can see them crawling around when you go to the store, I told them about the bugs in their bags of food and even showed them, they ackoledged it, and are STILL selling it like this, guy behind the counter even knew what I was talking about immediately and told me the species of the beetles, genuinely sad, I thought I trusted this store, if you guys reply to my message saying it's fixed, I'll come check, and maybe remove this message but until you guys get rid of the bug problem my message is staying right here”
— Liz Goss1.0a week ago“Nice small local business. Very helpful people.”
— Jon Johansen5.02 weeks ago“Went in for wet KITTEN (specifically) food - quite an impressive variety! Lots of kitties roam freely throughout the store (glad I left my doggo in the car!). The owner explained they pull these cats from high-volume kill shelters down south—I love their compassionate fostering and the second chance those kitties get. The store felt a bit cluttered, but the kindness and mission of the shop far outweigh a little disarray. A locally-owned gem.”
— Maegan Evans4.03 weeks ago“Nice friendly place with very engaged and knowledgeable staff. Thanks for the help and support picking out the correct supplies and not up selling unnecessary items.”
— Richard Schneider5.0a month ago“The cute roaming cats are awesome!”
— Alicia Botes4.02 months ago“Adopted a kitten from here and she had fleas, Giardia, and an upper respiratory infection. She’s a lovely kitten but if you don’t want to spend $700+ on vet bills and treatments go somewhere else. Seems like they don’t really care about the health of their cats.”
— Mia K1.02 months ago“This is the greatest place in the entire world”
— KP5.02 months ago“Great store with helpful staff, and we recently got our third rescue from them.”
— Shel Blondeau5.04 months ago“Been going here since I was a kid. They try and they’re friendly. Got a problem? Just speak up and they'll make it right. Always nice to support local ma and pa stores”
— RB Flantry4.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (608) 249-8646 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Noah's Ark Pet Center.