Can you imagine being able to go to a place where there are people who like or are curious about felines and where you can pet cats? That site exists, and although there is not yet one in every part of the world, it is being so successful that I would not be surprised if they soon open new ones in other places.
And what must have started as a test in Taiwan in the late nineties has become an attraction for cat lovers. I am speaking, of course, of the cat cafes.
What are cat cafes?
They are coffee shops… You have to pay admissionAnd besides enjoying whatever you like, you can spend time in the company of the beautiful and adorable cats. Some people spend hours inside, and among the many qualities these felines possess, their... ability to relaxThat sweet look, the sound of the purr And that desire to be with people makes them incredible animals.
The experience usually begins by leaving backpacks and shoes in a designated area, with handwashing facilities and disinfectant gel to ensure hygiene. Many establishments operate with times per stay (minutes or hours) and include self-service drinksIt's not uncommon to find WiFi, reading corners and rest areas so that the cats sleep undisturbed.
In these spaces priority is given to feline welfare: do not pick up cats in your arms, do not use flash, do not wake up the sleeping person and let them decide the approach. Some coffees dim the lighting during naps to promote rest. In addition, they are usually subject to veterinary protocols, with sterilized, vaccinated and animals periodic checks.
- Usual rules: Always clean hands, no human food for cats, play with toys from the premises and respect the animal's time.
- Family accessibility: some admit children with supervision; others set minimum ages to avoid overstimulation.
Where there is?
At the moment, they have only been encouraged to open cat cafes in Taiwán, Japan and in EuropeOne of the first cafés on the Old Continent opened in Vienna. Shortly after, Paris also took a chance on these special cafés, opening one in the Marais district.
One opened, The Gatoteca, in Spain, specifically in the capital. In addition to being a place where you can enjoy very good company, it is also an opportunity to meet the cats of the NGO ABRIGA, which is dedicated to collecting abandoned cats and finding a home for them.
In Italy he opened the MiaGola cafè, in TurinShortly after, also in Turin, the second cat café opened.
Over time, Finland opened one in Tampere.
If you plan to travel by East Asia or EuropeTake advantage and visit some of the cat cafes. You're sure to have a great time
Responsible adoption and choosing the ideal cat
Many cat cafes work with local shelters and act as spaces of real coexistence to facilitate adoptions. For families with older cats and children, these environments allow for observation calm personalities, detect if a feline is not territorial and check its contact tolerance. The teams recommend prioritizing calm adults against very playful youngsters when there is already an “alpha” or special needs cat at home.
Ask if the premises have large social halls to see interactions between cats, if they perform gradual presentations and that veterinary tests continue. In centers with a social focus, they are also cared for complicated cases (health, trauma or behavior), dedicating time and resources to their recovery thanks to donations and entry fees.
What the visit is like: reservations, prices and services
Access is usually by reserve with limited capacity to avoid stress. There are models of time rate or entry with drinks included; in some you can go out and come back during the day according to the local system. It is common to find drink machines, cat water fountains, castles and scratching posts, and a team attentive to the emotional state of each feline.
In cities with restrictions on having pets in apartments, neko cafes They offer a meeting place for those who cannot live with animals. Some have been transformed into themed spaces with dozens of cats, small libraries, or study areas where people can simply sit and relax. to be accompanied while working connected to WiFi.
Feline well-being: interaction and signals to respect
To make the visit positive: allow the cat to meet you. smell and choose approach, use cane toys To channel the energy, observe signs of stress (low tail, ears back, running away) and offer breaks. If a cat is overstimulated by children's petting, the norm is give spaceMost people withdraw when they need peace and quiet.
The philosophy of responsible coffees is clear: They don't buy catsThey collaborate with rescues and fostering, avoid unnecessary transfers, and nurture the bonds formed. Thus, visitors enjoy themselves, and when the time comes, the lights dim and it's siesta time: the perfect reminder that here, the felines set the pace.
