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Original poster

Cat cafes?

77 replies

thelastredwinegum · 19/12/2017 16:41

Apologies if something similar has been posted before.

Why go to a cat cafe instead of volunteering an hour of their time to a cat rescue or similar?

OP posts:
Greyhorses · 19/12/2017 17:23

I feel sorry for the cats in these places so probably wouldn't go in one!

Lots of cats stuck together in one room unable to get away from eachother getting hassled by strangers all day... sounds grim.

Sparklingbrook · 19/12/2017 17:23

I think if you go to a cat cafe that's the chance you take PumpkinSquash, I can't imagine if you complained it would betaken seriously. Grin

I have a cat and have never had cat hairs in drinks or food so it's not a given.

I wonder why they don't have dog cafes?

maddiemookins16mum · 19/12/2017 17:31

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37199653

This makes interesting reading, not sure if I've copied and pasted the link properly though.

Sonders · 19/12/2017 17:35

The welfare reasons go beyond what is obvious - e.g. vaccinations, grooming and vet trips.

Just one example is that sats need to sleep for at least 12 hours a day, and like humans struggle to do so in loud, bright environments like cafes - let alone with excited humans who are in the room specifically to see them.

Sure, some cafes have back rooms and hours when not open to the public. But in a large, multi-cat environment, not every puss will be on the same sleep schedule and they'll still have playmates to deal with.

What's worse, is that when a cat feels stressed, they will often fake sleeping so as not to draw attention to themselves, making it really hard to monitor how much rest they're getting.

Not getting enough sleep can make cats incredibly ill, and lead to severe behavioural issues.

So in comparing the environment to a city centre apartment, it's really not the same.

SoulStew · 19/12/2017 17:35

That link is depressing Sad. Grown humans, seeking that little bit of comfort that pets can provide, but being millennials they rent and/or work too many hours to get a pet.

GlitterNails · 19/12/2017 17:35

I have tried to volunteer at my local cat rescue, but they only want people between 9-11am each morning - which I can't do. I've offered any afternoon, but nope.

Also the cats didn't walk on the tables, they chilled out in their own little spaces. One cat did eat some crumbs that fell on the floor, but there is strictly no feeding them.

I did get taken to a cat cafe in London for my birthday which was really fun. The cats weren't particularly interested in the people though, but I guess I can get cuddles from my own cats. :)

DingDongDenny · 19/12/2017 17:36

We have 2 young cats and they are very sociable with people, but they are definitely bonded to us. I think if there was a constant stream of people, it would stress them out. As well as the fact that cats in larger groups rarely all get on, which also causes them stress.

From the cat's perspective a home with loving owners -slaves- is by far the best option

PurpleMinionMummy · 19/12/2017 17:45

Sonders, sounds like the cat cafe near us. But it's not in a city, it's on an industrial estate. It's regularly slated by animal rights people, I was dubious at first and thought they were a bit ott but having seen pictures of the cats they don't look happy or healthy and the cafe can't prove which charity it's working with either Hmm

How do they get around kitchen health and safety with cats around? Just no cats in the kitchen?

YouTheCat · 19/12/2017 17:46

I go to Mog on the Tyne (not on the Quayside) and the litter trays are all downstairs in the basement. The cats are not allowed in the kitchen area at all. In fact, dd has been with her friends for 2 hours today. The cats are very well cared for and happy. They don't tend to approach people unless they have food (which customers are not allowed to feed to the cats or they'd be huge). However, there are loads of toys to play with with the cats. It's fun just watching them and giving them strokes.

ScrabbleFiend · 19/12/2017 17:51

I don't think I like the idea. I would be worried about them bolting out the door when customers enter/leave. I used to have a cafe and the road outside was very busy. Plus as pp said, cat's are solitary animals and find being in close proximity to other cats stressful, unless they're litter mates who've grown up together. And of course the hygiene issues, not sure how they get away with it tbh.

maddiemookins16mum · 19/12/2017 17:52

Mog on the Tyne is a great name for a cat cafe though.

wanderings · 19/12/2017 18:11

At the cat café in London, the cats have plenty of places to go out of the way of the strangers if they want to - there are lots of high shelves all over the walls where they can climb up. There are only about eight cats in quite a big space, over two floors. It's a big café, across two shop fronts. There's a "non-cat" area that you go into first, which stops the kitties wandering out. You have to wash hands before going in as well.

You have to book (several weeks) in advance, so you have to really want to go: you can't just wander in on the spur of the moment. You're briefed on the rules before you go in: don't pick up the cats, and don't disturb any sleeping ones. It doesn't feel like people and cats are crammed into a small space. As for the cats doing their business, there are several "igloos": some very enclosed litter trays that the cats go right inside, mostly away from the eating area.

Weedsnseeds1 · 19/12/2017 18:11

There's a cat pub near me. Not specifically themed as such, the landlord just has a lot of cats that are free to roam around at will.

Rebeccaslicker · 19/12/2017 18:26

Are they cruel?

I've never been to one - as I adore cats but am desperately allergic to them, curse it - but it seems to me that the cats might find it stressful? Seem to be mixed views on this thread so far!

SmokeintheR00m · 19/12/2017 18:46

Went to cat cafe in Singapore. I guess lots of locals are unable to have pets? All the animals were friendly and looked healthy. The coffee and cake were good too. I believe there is a time limit how long you can stay in the cafe. I am surprised that there are not more

IHaveBrilloHair · 19/12/2017 18:51

I'm not sure what to think, in theory I'd love to go, I adore cats and have four of them, but do they have the opportunity to get away from people if they want, none of mine take to strangers immediately.

PuppyMonkey · 19/12/2017 18:53

I've been to ours a few times. The cats seem very happy and chilled - they get regular breaks in a back room and are usually rehomed. kittycafe.co.uk/the-cats

(Heathcliffe is a local legend).

stickytoffeevodka · 19/12/2017 19:09

The one in Nottingham is really good. DP took me for my birthday last year and we had a great time.

@PuppyMonkey isn't Heathcliffe adorable? He's so friendly and loves posing! There was also a gorgeous white cat there last year called Polo who was really friendly and has since been rehomed according to their Instagram.

I was pretty impressed. It's secure (double doors to the outdoors and the kitchen area, and you can't have both sets of doors open at once), the cats have plenty of hiding places - tunnels, boxes, runways up high etc. and there were covers you can put over your food and drink.

But I have to say, I don't think people who freak out about animal hair are the type to go to cat cafes in the first place!

PuppyMonkey · 19/12/2017 19:33

It's great imho Sticky Smile - and you do take your chances, I went once and all the cats had buggered off to the back room or were asleep in their high up perches. Definitely not stressed anyway.

stickytoffeevodka · 19/12/2017 19:38

Yeah, when we went most of them were hiding or in the room away from the main entrance, but we got up and managed to get some photos of them playing, and we played with some of the younger ones who were more than happy to get on your lap or chase a toy around the room!

None of them seemed remotely stressed and they all had places to escape to.

I assume Heathcliffe is still around? Smile

PuppyMonkey · 19/12/2017 19:42

He was definitely there at the weekend.

IHaveBrilloHair · 19/12/2017 19:46

Oh this all sounds positive then, I'll have a look.
More cats to fuss over could never be a bad thing.

Doobigetta · 19/12/2017 20:10

The cat cafe in Manchester has the same rules as the London one above- no picking them up, and no disturbing a sleeping cat. The cats also have unlimited access to a private area, they aren't forced to interact if they don't want to, and the website says they only take cats that are happy to be indoor cats and live with others. I think that's ok. I'd be happiest if all the cats were rescues that hadn't been able to be rehomed.

CheekyRedhead · 19/12/2017 20:40

The Manchester one also doesn't take rescue cats as they don't know their history so say its not safe for the cats or the people in the cafe. I walked past it every day but never been in. They seem to have a nice life actually

ZaraW · 20/12/2017 03:16

Is the Manchester cat cafe the one opposite the Holiday Inn Express? I've visited and the cats all appear to be relaxed and we'll cared for.

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