Written and photographed by Samantha Demangate
Warm coffees, puff pastries, and kittens…Who could ask for more? Cat cafes have taken the world by storm, cats being the star of the show. Some cafes operate as an adoption agency, while others simply house cats and allow visitors to play with them. Each cafe has a variety of foods offered. As they continue to increase in popularity, you will find that every cat cafe experience is unique to the country and city that you are visiting. Let’s explore the origins of Cat Cafes and how they work.
Kitty History!
I heard of cat cafes in 2017, my first visit occurring in California, in the United States. The cat cafe experience was new to me, so I was surprised to learn that the idea began 24 years ago! Kitten Coffee Garden (AKA: Cat Flower Garden), opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998 and is the oldest Cat Cafe and is still open today! Here, you can have a delicious warm meal and snuggle up with a kitty. That said, the kitties of Kitten Coffee Garden are not up for adoption. But not to worry, their accommodations are plenty and they live happy lives in the cafe. Read more about the world’s first cat cafe here: Kitten Coffee Garden
The first cat cafe to establish permanent residence in the United States is Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, California. Opening their doors in 2014, Cat Town Cafe met the strict health codes required to operate a cafe and house animals. What is incredible about Cat Town Cafe, is that they operate as an adoption agency, finding suitable homes for rescue cats!
My Cat Cafe Experience
My cat cafe curiosity was sparked once again this year when I found Adrianuzca’s CAT CAFE in Punta del Este, Uruguay. This cafe offers a warm experience for its visitors and provides a safe and happy living space for its cats. Many cats are up for adoption and Adrianuzca’s CAT CAFE works hard to find a compatible home for furry friends. They house cats in recovery and take incredible care of each one, providing them with a separate room throughout the day, so they can be unbothered by visitors. There are rules of conduct for child visitors (and adults for that matter) to ensure a tranquil and safe environment for their cats.
In addition to their meticulous care, they offer incredibly cute cat themed beverages, paired with food and desserts. Overall, my time there was so cheerful, I came by for a second visit before leaving town. You can tell that the cats of Adrianuzca’s CAT CAFE are happy and loved. It was a great cat cafe experience and had the best of vibes.
How it Works
Cat Cafes are just that…cafes! Each cafe has a variety of foods offered. One cafe may specialize in coffee whereas another specializes in acai bowls. Regardless of what they serve, most cafes require a cover charge to get in. For a fee, you can enter the cafe for a certain amount of time, most commonly 45 minutes to an hour. Then, you can order coffees, sandwiches, smoothies, desserts…whatever they offer!
Grab a table, and even take out your laptop, and you’ve got yourself a tranquil kitty filled workspace.
Ethics and Conduct
There is concern surrounding the ethics of cat cafes. Some animal lovers have expressed that cats are exploited for recreation, while others feel that a cat cafe provides a healing environment for its visitors.
Having the opportunity to visit precious kitties is a fun experience, but it can be pretty human centric. This, of course, is highly dependent on the cafe itself and the policies that they hold. Do a little bit of research about the cafe you’re supporting and the services they provide. Then enjoy!
If you’d like to explore more on the ethics of cat cafes, check out this article here: Should You Visit a Cat Cafe?
A cafe that does not offer adoption does not mean it is a bad operation. Many cat cafes house cats for their duration of their lives, treating them with utmost respect. In addition, they advocate heavily for fair animal treatment. From donations to activism, many businesses are onboard. Some simply don’t have the means to double the cafe as an adoption center.
Consider the fact that these businesses tend to be owned by cat lovers. They will see to it that their in-house cats are treated well. It can be difficult for some cats to adjust to constant changing groups of people, which is why it is essential for all visitors to attend calmly and respectfully. If your children (or you, for that matter), are prone to chasing animals or yelling, it is best to skip the cafe and find an alternative activity. All of the cat cafes that I have been to have given visitors strict rules to abide by and will surely kick anyone out who is not following them. In addition, some will have you sign a waiver agreement to essentially act right.
Let’s Go!
If you’re a cat person, (which, at this point, I assume you are) check out a cat cafe near you and enjoy. You will surely have a mellow visit full of cuteness. If you’re already cat cafe savvy, share your experiences in the comments!
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