Washington, D.C. – Matt Ropiek is a self-described “equal opportunity animal lover” with an affinity for cats. He has two of his own. His first encounter with the cat café, Crumbs & Whiskers, was through his contribution to its Kickstarter campaign in 2015. After that, he began receiving its newsletter, which included job postings. He began his career as a part-time store host in September 2017. This is his first job working with animals.
“I get to spend my entire day surrounded by happy cats and happy people, and it’s really infectious,” Ropiek mused on how he would do the job for free. “Animal therapy is really, really powerful. It’s something more powerful than medicine. Being paid to be around happy people and happy animals is icing on the cake.”
Ropiek is originally from Concord, Mass. After completing his B.A. in Asian Studies at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, he taught English in Japan for a year. Then, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he found work using his language skills as a producer for TV Tokyo. He left that position in order to pursue graduate school. He hopes to study global security at Johns Hopkins or journalism at Georgetown University in the fall.
Store Host Matt Ropiek admires Jack who occupies the check-in counter at Crumbs & Whiskers, a cat café, in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. Jack likes to position himself as front desk receptionist. The fee for admission to the café ranges from $6.50 to $54. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek presents, Gizmo, his favorite cat at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. The café partners with Homeward Trails, an animal rescue organization, which provides the adoptable cats. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek pets, Gizmo, at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. The café has two locations–Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. They launched in June 2015 and September 2016 respectively. Since 2015, the cafés have found adoption homes for 521 cats and saved 1,156 cats from risk of euthanasia. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek pets Kesha at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. An evening nap is a common kitty custom at Crumbs & Whiskers, where fluffy cat beds abound. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek answers customers’ questions about Gizmo at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. Ropiek lists, “interacting with people and making sure they have fun,” as part of his job duties. The café has partnered with Olivia Macaron, a neighborhood coffee shop, which makes the drinks and bakery items that Crumbs & Whiskers serves. Store hosts communicate and transport their customers’ orders between the shops. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek gives Gizmo an ear scratch at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. The ability to provide thorough and compelling ear rubs, chin scratches, and cheek strokes is a highly sought after skill in a cat café employee. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek gives Jaborah a health inspection at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. Maintaining a log of “cat checks” is part of the daily routine. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek lifts Sprite for her health inspection at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. Attention is generally well received by the café’s occupants, however “cat checks” are less popular. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Jack shows his ability to multitask as he manages the front desk while overseeing Store Host Matt Ropiek’s customer service interaction at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)Store Host Matt Ropiek closes up for the evening at Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. on January 28, 2018. Many tasks take place after customers leave, including feeding the cats wet food and maintaining their feeding stations and litter box facilities, which are located out of customers’ sight in the basement. (Photo: AMANDA MOSHER)
