What are cat cafes, and how are they helping to end cat homelessness? Get ready to learn all about this popular new trend.

If you’ve never been to a cat cafe, you’re seriously missing out. Cat cafes are a wonderful experience that any cat-lover should try, and they exist for one of the best causes out there: to end cat homelessness. In honor of Global Cat Day, we’re here to tell you all about cat cafes and how they benefit both cats and humans.

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What Is A Cat Cafe?

A cat cafe is like a regular coffee shop or coffee bar, but with adoptable cats! Typically, the cat room will be separate from the food and drink area, but many cat cafes allow you to bring your treats and beverages into the cat room. Here, you can mingle with adoptable kitties (usually from local shelters) while enjoying your hot latte or tasty scone.

A Brief History Of Cat Cafes

Cat cafes have been around since the late 90s/early 2000s, but they’ve only really taken off in America in recent years. The very first cat cafe was in Taiwan. Cat cafes exploded in popularity after they made their way to the feline-loving nation of Japan. There are now around 150 cat cafes in Japan!

Spreading to Europe and the UK, cat cafes enjoyed quite a bit of popularity (and still do today), but the fastest growing following is in the United States. Americans are going nuts for cat cafes! The first cat cafe in America was in New York City, although it didn’t last long. America’s first permanent cat cafe can be found in Oakland, CA and is called Cat Town Cafe.

As for myself, I’ve enjoyed many a good cup of coffee at The Cafe Meow in Minneapolis, MN. They’ve recently opened a second location in New Hope, MN that I hope to visit soon!

Why Do People Like Cat Cafes?

Cat cafes are a place where cat-lovers can go to relax and enjoy their favorite brew. There are few things more comforting than curling up with a cat and coffee, and cat cafes provide a safe environment to do that. Plus, you get to pet all the cute kitties!

Benefits of Cat Cafes

One of the reasons cat cafes became so popular in big cities is because a lot of residents in those places rent apartments. Apartment complexes often have a no pets policy, so where are cat-lovers to get their fix? Cat cafes, of course! You don’t have to worry about scooping litter boxes, cleaning up pet messes, or feeding cats. All you have to do is sit, drink coffee, and give the cats some love.

Because of this arrangement, many cat-lovers have found a great amount of stress relief at cat cafes. The environment is pleasant, the cats are calm and well-behaved, and you’re in a room with other cat-lovers. You never know — you may meet your new best friend there!

How Do Cat Cafes Help End Cat Homelessness?

As we’ve already said, cat cafes are full of adoptable cats. Each and every rescue cat you see in a cat cafe is a potential new buddy for you! Typically, an animal shelter or other rescue organization will work closely with a cat cafe and supply them with adoptable cats to keep in the cafe.

This allows potential adopters to interact with cats to get to know their personality, to see if they mesh. Once you’ve chosen a cat that you’d like to adopt, you can fill out an application with the rescue and, if you’re lucky, take them home with you once the process is complete. Thousands of cats are adopted this way every year!

Cat cafes are in some ways a more comfortable environment for people looking to adopt. Animal shelters can often be associated with sadness and heartbreak, whereas a bright and cheery cafe where cats are free to roam can be more appealing.

Are Cat Cafes Good For Cats?

Some critics think that cat cafes are actually a bad environment for cats because of the constant influx of and attention from people, but in most cat cafes, that’s not the case. The Cafe Meow, for instance, carefully chooses cats that are calm and social, meaning they get along with both humans and other cats. Rules are put in place to make sure customers do not abuse or bother the cats. Customers are notified of these rules every time they enter the cat space, and employees of the cafe keep a close eye on any activity.

Cat cafes have a limited number of cats in the cat room to prevent overcrowding and sanitary issues. Cats are supplied with food, water, toys, climbable surfaces (such as cat trees and cat shelves), and room to run and play.

While there have been some examples of cat cafes treating cats poorly, most cat cafes are a great environment for humans and cats alike. Embrace Pet Insurance offers tips on how to spot a reputable cat cafe that treats its cats well and follows safety rules.

Have you ever visited a cat cafe? What was your experience like? Tell us in the comments below!

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