Bon Appétit & Meow! First Cat Café Opens Its Doors In Paris

First Parisian Cat Cafe Opens To Animal Lovers

It looks like Henri, le Chat Noir finally has a proper spot to grab a cup of coffee and contemplate his existence the next time he finds himself in the City of Light!



Paris's first cat cafe, Le Café des Chats, recently opened its doors in the Marais district, giving Parisians with cramped apartments the chance to experience some "purr therapy." The location is quickly proving to be a popular hangout, with hundreds of cat lovers being turned away opening weekend, and reservations already booked through November.



The café is home to twelve rescued cats, including Habby, who suffers from feline dwarfism, which gives her a stunted tail and unusually short paws.



Owner Margaux Gandelon tells Reuters that the comfort and care of the felines is foremost, and patrons must follow strict rules. The cats are not allowed to be picked up against their will (although if they happen to hop into your lap willingly, that's ok), and are also prohibited from being fed and disturbed while they are sleeping. 



According to their website, café owners have been working with animal welfare groups to develop an environment where the cats are happy. The resident kitties, which were all adopted from shelters, are not selected for their looks, but according to their nature, to ensure they enjoy the presence of other cats and humans alike. 



The concept of cat café, an establishment where customers can come and sip coffee while enjoying the company of felines, originated in Taiwan in the late 90s and quickly spread across Asia. There are now over 40 cat cafés in Japan, and the trend has recently ignited in Europe, where Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is gearing up to open in London next year.

Via Reuters, Le Café des Chats / Images: Facebook (Le Café des Chats)

Bon Appétit & Meow! First Cat Café Opens Its Doors In Paris

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium Presents The Cats' Whiskers KeepCup

Charlie enjoys an early morning chai

How would you enjoy drinking coffee, tea, hot chocolate and/or any other variety of hot beverages from a cute cup, while also doing a solid for the environment? Lauren Pears of Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium recently sent me The Cats' Whiskers KeepCup, a sustainably sourced, re-usable, and recyclable coffee cup alternative that can be used up to 1,500 times, or about the equivalent of four years of every day use. 



The adorable 8 oz. BPA free cup is the purrfect size for taking your cup of joe on the go, and even has a little line inside delineating the 8 oz. mark. The top snaps on so you can sip while keeping your tea toasty, but my favorite feature is the bewhiskered silicone band that prevents your paws from getting burned.


Priscilla takes a suspicious sip 

The cups are available in three colors: Plum/Cream, Plum/Black, and Black/Black - and if you think I agonized over which combination to get, you would be quite right.



Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is scheduled to open later this year in London's East End, and promises to be a warm, comfortable place where patrons can play and cuddle up to one of their many resident cats. 

The project made headlines in January after Pears started a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to turn her dream of opening a cat cafe into a reality. She managed to raise an incredible £109,510 (over $170,000 USD) to open Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, which will be the first facility of its kind in London.

Visit Lady Dinah's website, or follow them on Facebook for more information on the progress of the cafe, or to buy a KeepCup of your own.

Disclosure: I received a Cats' Whiskers KeepCup for review, but all opinions and pensive pussycats portrayed in this post are my own.

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium Presents The Cats' Whiskers KeepCup

Around The World In 80 Cats #28: Budapest

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Forget "Around the World in 80 Cats"..I want to go around the world in 80 cat cafes!



Cat Café opened last month in the heart of Budapest, just minutes away from St. Stephen's Basilica. The catty coffee shop is currently home to fifteen gorgeous felines, who are tasked with looking cute and napping, while patrons enjoy a delicious drink. 





Owner Krisztina Balotay told Reuters that she was inspired to open a cat establishment in the Hungarian capital after hearing a report about the cat cafe phenomenon in Japan. Visitors to her shop say that the cats cheer them up, and provide comfort in the absence of their own kitties. 





In addition to the video above, I also found some great shots on the Cat Café Budapest Facebook page, that offer a glimpse into life at the stylish cafe. There's also some mouthwatering images of their tasty treat offerings (like a bewhiskered chocolate cream cup), along with many pictures of adorable (and happy) cats!





Kitties who live/work in cafes are typically well cared for, and visitors must abide by strict rules to ensure their happiness and safety. There are now over 40 cat cafes in Japan, and the trend has spread to European cities like Vienna, and to London, where Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is expected to open later this year.

Via digtraid.com / Facebook (Cat Café Budapest) / Cat Cafe Budapest

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Know of any cat-themed travel destinations, or have any cool kitty vacation pics to share? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com!

Around The World In 80 Cats #28: Budapest

Felines Rule At Cats Republic Cafe In St. Petersburg

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St. Petersburg, Russia, home to the famous cats of The Hermitage Museum, also houses a different kind of feline attraction, in the form of a cafe filled with kitties.

Cats Republic follows in the tradition of Japanese cat cafes, where patrons pay a fee to hang out with cats while enjoying beverages and snacks. Employee Anna Chugunova says that the cafe got its name because its residents are "free and independent cats who cannot be forced to play or be carried around if they don't want to."

All visitors "crossing the border" into Cats Republic must apply for a visa, and have their height measured in cats. The cafe also features a feline-themed library and exhibit area, along with a gift shop.

Cats who live/work in cafes are typically well cared for, and visitors must abide by strict rules to ensure their happiness and safety. There are now over 40 cat cafes in Japan, and the trend has also been spreading across Europe, where the first cat cafe in Vienna opened this spring. 



Via The Daily Mail

Felines Rule At Cats Republic Cafe In St. Petersburg

Around The World In 80 Cats #21: Korea

Elle and a friend visiting Cat Attic cat cafe in Gangnam

Liz Lorini aka Elle/Miss Kika is not only a super talented illustrator (I featured her Pretty Persian Parfait print last year), but she is also a cat lover who shares my obsession with all things cute. Last year, Elle moved from San Francisco to Seoul, Korea with her fiance, Nara, and started a blog to document her experiences living abroad.

Cute In Korea has become one of my favorite reads because of its focus on cute culture, including everything from fashion finds, to reviews of kitschy cupcake shops, hamburger joints, and cute cafes. Recent posts have enlightened me about Dunkin Donuts in Korea (did you know that they sell bubble tea and Pop Rocks covered donuts there?), and to the popularity of items such as black cat slippers and cat-themed cup lids to keep your drink warm.

Of course, real life kitties also make an appearances on the site, including the famous Jetoy Choo Choo cats, and Elle's own cat, Milk (There's also a sweet post where she finds a cat in the park and makes Nara call the owner to make sure he's not lost).

She recently wrote, "Where do you go if you love cats, but can’t have a pet OR just like being a crazy cat lady for the day?" The answer, of course, is to a cat cafe! She explains that because homes in Korea are so small and not everyone is able to have a pet, they visit cat cafes to spend quality time with kitties.

For the post, Elle and her friends visited Cat Attic, a chain cat cafe (yes, such things do exist!) located in Gangnam.

She writes:

"I love cat cafes in Korea, but I especially like Cat Attic because the animals are always happy and well taken care of, in fact often the owners are on the floor playing with the cats when we visit because they sincerely love cats too. They have a nice amount of kitties at each location, usually several fancy breeds like Russian Blue, Persian, Sphynx, etc which are always fun to interact with, but also a mix in of adopted cats which is nice.

The cat cafes are always VERY clean, the drinks are good, no stinky smells, and lots of toys and built in houses and towers for the cats to climb."

It's obvious by the comprehensive list of rules above that the safety and happiness of the cats is #1:

*Do not pick up the cats, they can sit in your lap, but they have to climb up on their own.

*If a cat is sleeping, do not disturb him.

*Do not pull the tails.

*No flash photography.

*Do not disturb them if they are eating.

*Do not feed them any human food, only cat snacks which you can purchase at the counter.

*Do not pet the lower back by the tail.

*If the cat has a colored collar on he is new or on medication, and you can not feed him snacks.

*Do not be loud and obnoxious! This is meant to be a peaceful place.

*Do not use your personal items or things like the drink straw to play with them, they provide toys.

Click here to read the entire cat cafe post for more pics and info, and be sure to check out Cute In Korea and Miss Kika to keep up with Elle's awesome artwork and excellent adventures abroad!

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Know of any cat-themed travel destinations, or have any cool kitty vacation pics to share? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com!

Around The World In 80 Cats #21: Korea

Around The World In 80 Cats #11: Vienna

Moritz

Cat cafes have been a growing trend in Asian countries such as Japan and China over the past several years, but it appears that the phenomenon of pairing coffee with kitties is finally starting to catch on in other parts of the world.

After a three year battle over hygiene issues, Takako Ishimitsu was ultimately granted permission to open Austria's first cat cafe, Cafe Neko (neko means cat in Japanese), in the capital city of Vienna last week.

Luca

Ishimitsu, who is originally from Japan but has been living in Vienna for the past twenty years, wanted to bring a part of her cuddly culture to the Austrian coffeehouse scene. The five cats who lives in the cafe - Sonja, Thomas, Moritz, Luca, and Momo - were all rescued from the humane society, and are free to roam around and interact with customers. They also have plenty of beds and high up spots to retreat and take a nap, when they need to take a break.

Cafe Neko Menu

Unlike a traditional cat cafe, patrons at Cafe Neko are only charged for the food they order, and don't have to pay an extra fee to enjoy stroking kitties as they sip. The cafe's menu includes coffee, Japanese tea and juices, and homemade cakes and snacks.

A look inside the cafe

Flickr user Felix Kah visited Cafe Neko earlier this week, and agreed to share some pictures from his trip. He says, "My thoughts on the cafe are quite mixed. It's definitely a cute and awesome idea, but there is still need for much improvement in terms of the attitude appropriate to the cats. Although there were signs for treating the animals properly, there were still some guests who just didn't know how to behave to a cat."

A passerby stops to admire one of the cats through the window

All images courtesy of Felix Kah.

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Know of any cat-themed travel destinations, or have some cool kitty vacation pics you'd like to share? Email me at catsparella@gmail.com!

Around The World In 80 Cats #11: Vienna

Strict New Curfews For Tokyo's Cat Cafes

(Johnson Wang)

When I first saw the headline "Japanese cat lovers snarl at new law" I had a brief moment of panic. "Times are looking tough for Tokyo's cat cafes, where feline aficionados can drop in for tea and some time with a cat," the article began.

"Oh no!" I thought.

Well I'm happy to report that it's not as bad as it sounds - kind of. Basically, the kitties at Japan's cat cafes aren't going anywhere, but they are getting a curfew of sorts, kind of like when your parents said you had to be home by midnight, or else.

(Johnson Wang)

But why? They haven't done anything wrong - in fact, the cats who live/work at the cafes actually have it pretty good. They appear to be well taken care, and there are many strict rules in place to ensure their happiness and well-being. Customers are allowed to pet them but aren't allowed to pick them up, and bothering a sleeping cat is pretty much the biggest crime you can commit at one of these establishments. So why then, does the Japanese government see the necessity of forcing the cats behind closed doors after 8 p.m.?

The revision to Japan's Animal Protection law that would introduce the new restriction is actually targeted at late-night pet shops that sell cats and dogs 24/7, keep animals in small cages, and never turn their bright lights off. When you look at it that way, it makes sense - but it's an unfortunate consequence that cat cafes are lumped into the same category as these unethical pet purveyors.

(Johnson Wang)

Cat Cafe owner Hiromi Kawase tells Reuters, "Everybody knows cats are really happy in the evening, with their big, cute eyes. So I just can't understand why the people at the top are ignoring this. It's really strange."

Hiromi, who usually closes up shop at 10 p.m., fears that the new law will harm her business, and some of her customers seem to agree.

One regular visitor who comes to the cafe at least two times a week after work (after 8 p.m.) says, "If I can't see the cats, well, I won't come. Of course I come here because they have cats."

Another chimes in, "It's a great place, it calms the stresses of working life. If this law goes through, that enjoyment is going to disappear. It's a real shame."

It remains to be seen if the law - which goes into effect on June 1st - will significantly impact business, but Kawase's biggest concern is more for her kitties than for herself.

"If our business hours go down and we lose two hours of profits, of course it's going to affect us, but it'll also affect the cats," she said.

"You know, in getting them all the things they need, like the correct amount of food and proper nutrition."

Via Reuters / Images from JaLaLa Cat Cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo by Johnson Wang

Strict New Curfews For Tokyo's Cat Cafes

Inside Tokyo's Calico Cat Cafe

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One of my biggest regrets (aside from getting food poisoning) about my 2010 trip to Japan is that I didn't get a chance to visit a cat cafe in Tokyo. While I wasn't a serious blogger at the time, and didn't know as much about cat culture, part of me feels that I should have subconsciously been aware of the phenomena, and found some way to partake in the experience.

I'm not sure I'll ever get the chance to return, but if I do, one of my first stops will be to the Calico Cat Cafe featured in this mini documentary by The Guardian. While the idea of paying to enjoy the company of cats - when you can do the exact same thing at home for free - may seem absurd to some, it follows the same line of logic that makes us pay $15 to go see a movie, when we could just as easily watch one from the comfort of our couch.

Aside from my Western fantasies, the Asian cat cafe craze has been bolstered in part by the fact that many urban dwellers are unable to keep cats in their small apartments, or are charged exorbitant fees for doing so. When forced to live this kind of cat-less lifestyle, the rent-a-pet model becomes less of a luxury, and more of a much needed service to the cat loving people of Japan.

When I've posted about cat cafes in the past, the question always comes up as to why there aren't any in the United States. It's unclear to me how Japan - one of the most fastidious and cleanest countries in the world - manages to make provisions for the cafes, while the practice remains roundly forbidden by the U.S. Department of Health. As an example, Matilda - the longtime resident feline at The Algonquin Hotel in New York City - was put on a leash in November after years of free reign, after someone made a complaint, and the health department suggested that "pets in food-service facilities are no longer commingled."

For now, the mystical cat cafe will have to remain a dream for many us, but hopefully one day we'll all be able to live in a world where tea with a side of cats is always on the menu.

Via The Guardian

Inside Tokyo's Calico Cat Cafe

Visiting a Japanese Cat Cafe and Hello Kitty's Kawaii Paradise (Reader Submitted)

(Click images to enlarge)

Catsparella reader Kathy, who has also shared her daughter's fabulous cat-themed birthday party with us, along with her trip to Cornwall's Cat Rock, just sent me an email about a recent visit to Japan, where she and her family were fortunate enough to visit a Cat Cafe in Kyoto, along with Hello Kitty's Kawaii Paradise in Odaiba.

She writes:

We were lucky enough to visit Japan two weeks ago for eight days. It is a fascinating place and we enjoyed ourselves very much.









One of the places we stumbled onto in the arcades of Kyoto was a Cat Cafe. I had to think of you right away (Editor's note: Aww, thank you!). The thing with the Cat Cafe is that it is a cafe where you can stroke cats (yes, real live cats!). My husband & our daughter went in for half an hour and they were given something to drink and were able to frolic with sixteen cats.

It was a totally surreal place and I am not really sure how I feel about places like this. We also saw one in Tokyo. The cats were of all different types, colours & sizes and they all looked healthy, cared for & not freaked-out at all. There were many toys present and lots of different platforms for them to sit on, jump up to & walk on.





Needless to say, our girl got a brilliant cat-fix.

Japan is a cat-lover's paradise. Virtually every shop has a Maneki Neko (the knocking cat who is supposed to beckon customers into the shops). There are many cat-related charms for your phone or handbag and of course there is Hello Kitty. We didn't go to Puroland (Editor's note: You can read about my trip to Sanrio Puroland here) but we did see 'Hello Kitty's Kawaii Paradise' in Venus Fort shopping centre.



It was total cuteness overload. My eyes took some time to adjust after being in all that PINK. We also went to the Ghibli Museum where there was a life-size Cat Bus (from the Totoro film). Unfortunately we were not able to take any photos inside the museum, but if you are not familiar with the film, here is a link to the Cat Bus (I really suggest you have a look at the film, "My Neighbour Totoro", it is beautiful).

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Wow! Special thanks to Kathy for sharing her kitty-related travels with us! It looks like a wonderful time was had by all, and I'm excited to see that her daughter is well on her way to becoming a full-fledged cat correspondent!

If you'd like to learn more about cat cafes, check out this post of images from a Hong Kong cat cafe, last month.

Have you visited any cat-friendly tourist destinations? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com if you'd like to share your story!

Visiting a Japanese Cat Cafe and Hello Kitty's Kawaii Paradise (Reader Submitted)

A Look Inside a Hong Kong Cat Cafe

Cat cafes are most closely associated with Japan, and it's true, Tokyo is currently home to at least 39 of them. However, did you know that the first cat cafe in the world opened its doors in Taiwan in 1998?

Since then, the growth of cat cafes has exploded in popularity in many Asian countries as a result of modern urban dwellers seeking to connect with animals they may not be allowed to keep in their small apartments, and as a way to help deal with the stress and loneliness of city life. (Though, of course, it doesn't hurt that they're really cute and fun, too!)

More than just a meal experience, patrons often frequent these novelty cafes as a form of "supervised indoor pet rental."

Sadly, I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit a cat cafe, but one of my readers, Sandy (Mom to two gorgeous kitties, Monsieur and Milo A.K.A. M&M), recently paid a visit to "Cat's Place," a cat cafe in Hong Kong, where she lives. I asked her if she'd be willing to share her experience with us, and she happily obliged!

Sandy writes:

The cat cafe is located at a cosmopolitan place called Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. The ambiance is great, soft quiet music and they've managed to block off the sound from the busy streets downstairs. As soon as you walk into the door, you know you're in cat heaven!

The cat cut out has a photo of the cats living/working there attached. Such a clever idea!

Near the entrance they have many cat decorations, from ornaments and posters to small cat toys. It is an amazing collection!! And you can definitely tell that they've spent a long time collecting them. I was however, disappointed that I wasn't able to purchase anything. I was hoping for at least some cute collars.

As you walk into the main dinning area, you are immediately greeted with sleepy cats and "cat" furniture. You know, the ones that cat artistically re-decorate for us humans? The cats are definitely welcoming and you can pet them. I'm very happy that everyone knew how to handle cats. Even younger people (like 11 years old). Everyone respected the cat, and let them come to us. And if they didn't like the petting they will just walk off. I was very amazed with how the cats being not interested in human food. They never jumped onto my table when I was eating, nor did they try when I was away for a little bit to snap photos elsewhere.

There were about 14 cats in total, and most of them except for 1 or two were adult cats. The cats are definitely very comfortable and relaxed there. They had their own kitty counter underneath the counter where they can help themselves to food and water. There were signs there saying "We're eating, let's play later" so I guess customers can see kitties are having their own chow time. There were of course little corners and cat beds for cats to nap when they don't want to socialise. There were also a small tray of cat toys for customers to pick up and try with the cat.

The speech bubble on the top says "Eating now, let's play later," and this is where the cats help themselves to some nom nom. However the cat behind is like "I want to play now!"

The only cost is the food and drinks, just like any cafe. It is a bit pricey, and not for the average person who wants high quality cafe food. I'd say the price is probably the same as a gourmet cafe restaurant, and whilst the food isn't bad, it's just not at that standard. I'm sure people don't go there for the food, and I guess to cover the high rent, and slow customer flow, they do have to charge a bit for the food and drinks. They did ask me when I sat down "Are you a member?" and being a member is again free, they just ask for your name and email address.

In a back room, there is a workshop for making small crafts. There's also a small cake section where they sell cat shaped cookies and cakes. They did look sooooo nice, but again, it was too expensive.

When I left it did start to get crowded so I guess next time I should book ahead. I'd definitely go back, but just not on an empty stomach... ha..! If I could say what I'd like improved about that place is: 1) Get more cat accessories!! Maybe the restaurant isn't business orientated, but it's so difficult to get cute cat stuff in HK! 2) More cat obstacles/toys/furniture. There were a few scratching post and maybe the cats were happy just jumping onto counters and book shelves, but I'm sure a few tall cat posts wouldn't hurt.

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Thank you so much to Sandy for sharing her cat cafe pics and experience with us!! Be sure to stop by her Facebook page to see even more pictures, and to meet her beautiful boys!

Have you visited a kitty-friendly tourist destination that you'd like to share? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com!

A Look Inside a Hong Kong Cat Cafe