Please be sure to call ahead before traveling to a cat cafe listed on this site. It is difficult to keep track of when locations close or change their hours.
What are Cat Cafes?
You may have heard of a new trend within the animal community and are wondering what are cat cafes? You may also be wondering if there are any cat cafes near me! The good news is, you’ve come to the puuurrrfect place!
So what are Cat Cafes? Cat Cafes are a growing trend in the United States that allow patrons to spend quality time interacting with cats while enjoying a cup of coffee, relaxing, or working on their laptop.
Many cat cafes were set up to help cats find forever homes. Cat rescues will often partner up or start their own cafe as a place where aspiring cat owners and lovers can come and spend time with cats that are available for adoption.
There are also many cat lovers who like to frequent a local cat cafe because their current residence may not allow for pets. Additionally, they may want to visit a cat cafe because they recently lost a pet and want to spend some time with the cats before committing to bringing home a new addition to their family.
People visit cat cafes for a variety of reasons. It could be that their current housing does not allow for pets or they are considering adding a pet to their home. Some individuals find cats to help reduce stress and anxiety and help with loneliness as well.
Where Did Cat Cafes Originate?
The world’s first cat cafe, Cat Flower Garden, opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998.
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After the first cat cafe started in Taiwan, the trend quickly spread to Japan. This provided a great way for the people to unwind and relax after a long day and also became a favorite travel destination.
Additionally, many Japanese apartments do not allow for cats therefore the cat cafe was a perfect solution. The urban lifestyle in Japan can be lonely for the many workers and the cat cafe gives companionship. Rabbit Cafes are also gaining attraction in Japan.
Cat Cafes in America have become a favorite destination for cat lovers and cat parents. They are great places to find adoptable cats and rescue cats while being able to spend time with the kitties before deciding on bringing home a loyal companion.
How are Cat Cafes in the United States Different from Other Countries?
Cat cafes in America are different from other countries because the US is the only country where cats must be in a separate area from where food is served. This makes the experience of going to a cat cafe much different. For example, in Europe, pets are allowed in most restaurants.
Instead of dining with cats around, Cat Cafes in the United States consist mostly of lounging areas where you can spend time with the kitties and relax. The official rules for cat cafes differ from location to location. For example, some cat cafes have a separate eating area and some will all you to bring food to the cat space.
Cat Cafes in the United States
The United States has many regulations for opening a Cat Cafe. Each state will have a strict set of rules that need to be followed in order to be in compliance with the state health departments. Oftentimes the cat area needs to be kept separate from the areas where food and drink would be served and prepared.
Some cafes may charge a cover charge to enter or an hourly rate to play with the kitties. Be sure to check your specific location’s website for the details. Some locations may offer private parties, live music, and other special events.
Additionally, some cat cafes will allow you to rent the space for special events or activities such as birthday parties, yoga classes, book clubs, etc.
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Can I Adopt a Cat from a Cat Cafe?
Most Cat Cafes partner with local shelters and rescues in order to find forever homes for their cats through adoption. In some areas, the rate of cat euthanasia has dramatically declined once a cat cafe had opened because people are able to play and snuggle with the adoptable cats before making their decision.
Many cat cafes use their presence to promote and facilitate the rescue and rehoming of cats in the local community. They also assist local rescues and abandoned cats. Many of them will even make sure the cats are taken care of by a vet to ensure that they are healthy and up to date on their shots, completely free of charge to the future cat owner!
Check your local cafe’s website to see what the adoption rules and costs are.
If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, there are a few things you might want to think about before going to a cat cafe and getting attached to one of the adorable felines. You want to make sure you are prepared to bring the furry friend home.
- Do you want a cat or kitten? If you’re considering a kitten, you’ll want to make sure that the kitten is at least 8 weeks old and has been weaned from it’s mama. This is extremely important for the kittens well-being and something that I’m sure most cat cafes are already taking into consideration.
- Does a cat fit into your current lifestyle? Bening a cat owner is a great responsibility and takes commitment to do well. Not only do cats require much care and attention, they will also live for up to 20 years and be a part of your life for a long time.
- Can you affort the potential medical expenses? As a new cat owner, you may be required to pay for the proper vaccinations, neutering or spaying, microchipping, or other issues such as worms or fleas. Some rescue cats may come from harsh living experiences and require more care. There are some organizations that will take care of these things free of charge but not every organization does this.
How to Start a Cat Cafe?
Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t just want to go to a cat cafe… you want to own and run a cat cafe. If this describes you, there are a few things to take into consideration before you jump into starting your own cat cafe. Here are some tips to consider if you are wondering how to start a cat cafe.
State Laws: If you are looking to become a Cat Cafe owner, start by researching your state and local laws about the regulations for opening a Cat Cafe in your area. Many health departments have regulations about what you can and cannot do in the United States. Make sure to do your due diligence beforehand so there are no surprises down the road that might be detrimental to your business plan.
Insurance Costs: Your Cafe will need business insurance but you need to specifically check into if there is extra insurance you will need for having animals in your establishment. For example, if a customer gets bitten by one of your cats will your insurance cover that if needed. Additionally, so you need your customers to sign a consent form or waiver to be in your establishment? These are important things to know before jumping into owing your own cat cafe.
Local Partnerships: Partner with a local rescue shelter to get your inventory of cats. You will be filling your establishment with cats and helping the shelter find adopted families for the cats. Make sure all your kitties are healthy and adoptable before bringing them in. Additionally, by partnering with local rescues and shelters, they can help you market your cafe by sharing with their following as well. It’s a win-win for both you and the cat rescue.
Supplies: Talk to experts and make lists of all the items you will need to properly care for your cats. Find out what the proper cat-to-human ratio is correct for your cafe. What kind of food will you feed the cats, how many litter plans will you need, what kind of litter will you use, do you need special ventilation for the facility?
As you can see there are a lot of things to consider if you want to start a cat cafe. Do your research and seek out advice from other successful owners.
Are You Ready to Visit a Cat Cafe?
We hope you’ve found this information helpful and now you’re ready to fine a “cat cafe near me”! Check out our cat cafe locator and find a cat cafe in your state where you can go and snuggle with kitties and maybe even provide a forever home to one of the adoptable cats there!