When I asked if any of my friends online had visited a cat café, their reactions varied. Many expressed curiosity but few claimed familiarity. They’d not been to a cat café. Some were even unsure as to what a cat café could be.
I asked if they’d been to a cat café; here are some of their responses.
Adrienne Critchlow (United Kingdom) Do people really do that?
Anne Marie Zeck (Washington) I never heard of one! Looks like a no-pressure experience to meet some animals. Seems nice if the animals are protected from rowdy children.
Missy Masterson (Arkansas) I think it sounds like an AWESOME WIN-WIN-WIN idea! Win for the rescue organization, win for the animal, win for the human.
Victoria Day (Washington) Oh my gawd! I loved it so much. I went with a friend who loves cats as much as I do. He almost talked me into getting a cat; he was going to pay the fees. We got drinks and watched the kitties play. Very clean, fun atmosphere, enjoyed loving on them, [I give it] five stars! My friend Patrick and I visited about a month after they opened. We were super excited to check out a cat café because we had never been to one. I was super tempted to adopt a cat but didn’t. It made me want to open my own cat café.
Rebecca Cook (Washington) I love it!! Every time my sister comes to visit, we schedule some kitty time there. Her kids really enjoy it, but probably the best part is taking my elderly uncle with us. He’s in assisted living, has mobility issues, and is battling dementia, but he delights in playing with the kitties! The cats are always fascinated with his walker and climb inside the pouch. It’s such a great outing for him! The staff is always kind and really informative about the cats. My niece is an aspiring vet, so she loves to hear about any medical issues the kitties may have dealt with and always focuses on the shy kittens, patiently trying to help them socialize. I should also mention the food is so good! Of course you can’t eat in the cat room, but even if you’re not visiting the kitty room, it’s worth just enjoying the coffee shop. I like scheduling meetings there. It’s hard to take things too seriously when there’s kittens in the next room being their crazy little selves.
The basics, according to Wikipedia: “A cat café is a theme café whose attraction is cats who can be watched and played with. Patrons pay a cover fee, generally hourly, and thus cat cafés can be seen as a form of supervised indoor pet rental.
“Cat cafés have been spreading across North America since 2014. The goal in North America generally is to help get cats adopted by partnering with local cat rescues or humane societies.”
Photo by Gay Waldman
What Is A Cat Café? | Wagwalking.com
No, a cat café isn’t a place where cats go to sip coffee, enjoy a sweet treat, and catch up with friends. It’s also not a place where pet parents can take their cat to enjoy pet-friendly dining.
Instead, a cat café is just like a normal café — except with cats. While you sip a lovely latte or refreshing cup of tea, you get to pat, cuddle, and play with the café’s resident cats.
Sounds like fun, right? But what’s the purpose of cat cafés?
If you don’t have the time or space to care for a pet of your own, or if you just love any excuse to spend time with cute kitties, a visit to a cat café is a fun and relaxing experience. It’s a great date night idea for cat lovers too, and a calming escape from the stresses of everyday life.
How Do Cat Cafés Work?
The resident cats in cat cafés are often rescued animals, but some cafés showcase purebred kitties or even focus on a specific breed. Some venues also partner with local animal shelters and rescue groups to encourage the adoption of homeless cats. So while you enjoy a hot drink, you get a chance to meet and greet a host of adoptable kitties and maybe find yourself a new fur-baby!
The setup also varies from one cat café to the next. Some have special cat play areas where you can get up close and personal with some cuddly kitties, while others have more of a living room-style arrangement where you can enjoy your coffee in a comfy chair and let the cats come to you.
Of course, caring for these resident cats means extra costs for the cat café owners. You may need to pay an entry fee at some cafés, which will entitle you to a certain amount of play and cuddle time (such as 1 hour) with the resident kitties. Other cat coffee shops don’t have a cover charge, but will instead charge a little extra for food and drinks.
Cat Café Etiquette Tips
Visiting a cat café for the first time? Avoid making any embarrassing “faux paws” by following the simple etiquette tips below.
▪ Don’t wake a sleeping cat
▪ Never pick up or try to carry a cat
▪ Don’t make any loud noises
▪ Don’t chase any cats or force them into an interaction they’re uncomfortable with
▪ Taking a picture? Make sure your flash is turned off
▪ Only eat and drink in designated areas
▪ Don’t feed any cats
▪ Don’t bring your own cat (or your dog, for that matter)
▪ If children are permitted, they’ll need to be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times
Of course, each cat café has its own rules and guidelines, so research them before you visit. You may also need to make a booking before visiting. Finally, many cafés have a minimum age requirement, so call ahead first to find out whether you’re OK to attend.
What Is A Cat Café? | TheNeighborsCat.com
Find A Cat Café Near Me | GoogleVignette
Cat Cafés in United States | MeowAround.com
The Cat Café Directory | CatTipper.com
10 Top Cat Cafés in the US in 2025 | Catster.com
Here’s a link to one of my hometown’s cat cafés:
Kitty Cantina is a feline sanctuary in Spokane, WA. We have partnered with SpokAnimal to give rescue cats a luxury, cage-free environment as they wait to find their forever home. Grab a coffee and study or have a wine date with friends—all while snuggling homeless kitties. If one steals your heart, don’t worry. *They’re adoptable!*
The café is open for dine-in or takeout. Reservations are currently required if you want to meet the kitties.
