Cat cafe

[Libertyshepirouette]

What do you think of cat cafes?One is opening near me in the new year.I love cats but wonder if the cats would be happy.

I can only answer about the one I went to...

How many cats? 11, all I'd imagine from breeders as they're orientals, ragdolls, breeds like that that tend to be more interested in people.

And whoever asked about turnover, they don't seem to have much of one, the cats are all listed on their website and I've not noticed different ones particularly.

So you get the money back if they are all sculking in the back?

Nope, you just take your chances.

How do they stop them running out the door or someone trying to sneak one out in their bag?

You book, you don't just wander in like a normal cafe, so you're going in and out of a double entry system in small groups, supervised and putting on shoe covers as well.

What do you say if you get a hair in your tea?

Um, nothing?...

What if one bites you?

I can't really see how or why that would happen, it honestly is sitting about watching cats be cats, lol, some come over and try to steal cake, but there are staff there always... you're not really left to just harass them.

Yes, pub cats are very much in their own home and customers are just visiting their home. They also do have access to outside whenever they want, pub backs onto a massive park. I want to life swap.

I can’t see how the shelter cats could be in a cafe, surely very stressful for them? They are stressed enough even in the shelter.

There's one near me and there's been lots of controversy around it. Check out 'The truth behind the catastrophe cat cafe' on facebook.

I'm sure are beautifully run and the cats needs are well met and things are done properly. But I cannot say the same about the one near me.

I went to the one in Shoreditch at the weekend. Had to book 4 months in advance.

They were rescue cats and they only keep them there if they are suited to it - otherwise, re-homed. It was very well organised with certain staff dealing with food and others dealing with cats. There were very clear rules - no under 12s, no approaching sleeping cats and plenty of places for the cats to get away for humans if they wanted to.

I thought it was good - fun and interesting, plus importantly the cats seemed very well cared for and their needs were put highly.

That's the one I went to Wombat. Did you see Wookie he was my favourite?

There are 2 cat cafes in Newcastle. I have been to one and the cats were not stressed at all. They seemed to like the attention, and when they'd had enough they could escape downstairs into their own private area. They were very chilled. I believe it works with cats with the right personality.

Yes, we saw Wookie - he was laid out across our table - the biggest cat I have ever seen. Great name. He was having a lovely brush and purr before getting onto one of the high up shelves for a snooze.