Cat café

The world's first cat café, "Cat Flower Garden" (貓花園),{{Cite news |last=日経トレンディネット |date=2008-05-02 |title=【今回のお題】話題の「猫カフェ」に来るお客さんってどんな人たち？ |url=http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/column/20080422/1009762/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617220934/https://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/column/20080422/1009762/ |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=Nikkei BP |language=ja-JP |trans-title=【Today's topic】What kind of people visit the popular "cat cafes"? |url-status=live }} opened in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998 and eventually became a global tourist destination.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20120402-worldwide-weird-feline-fun-in-japans-cat-cafes|title=BBC - Travel - Feline fun in Japan's cat cafes|first=Lindsey | last=Galloway|date=3 April 2012 |access-date=7 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/56592/brief-history-cat-cafe|title=A Brief History of the Cat Café|work=Mental Floss|access-date=7 January 2016|date=4 June 2014}} The concept spread to Japan, where the first one named "Neko no Jikan" (lit. "Cat's Time") was opened in Osaka in 2004. Due to Japan's land size and population, many residents live in small apartments or condominiums which do not allow pets, making cat cafés a very popular destination for young workers looking for the companionship and comfort offered. Tokyo's first cat café, named "Neko no Mise" (Cat's Store), opened in 2005. After this, the popularity of cat cafés boomed in Japan. From 2005 to 2010, 79 cat cafés opened across the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/meow-meow-meow-329-v17n2/|title=Meow Meow Meow|first=Tomo | last=Kosuga|work=VICE|access-date=7 January 2016|date=3 February 2010}}{{Better source needed|reason=Part of this is the opinion of the owner of a cat cafe.|date=May 2023}}

In some jurisdictions, cat cafés allow humans to pet, feed, and play with cats and other domesticated animals. Originally popular in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea, as of 2025, cat cafes exist in Dubai,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/11/cat-cafes-animal-welfare-rspca/|title='Without cat cafés, these animals would die on the streets of Dubai'|quote=Animal welfare charities have called for these establishments to be phased out, but advocates argue feline wellbeing is at their core|work=Telegraph|first=Helen |last=Brown|date=11 April 2025|access-date=12 April 2025}} Florida, {{cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2025/04/move-over-cats-this-cafes-attraction-is-a-giant-unexpected-cuddler.html?outputType=amp|title=Move over cats; this café's attraction is a giant, unexpected cuddler|quote=If you are a fan of cat cafés, you can broaden your café experience by cuddling with furry rodents. You read that correctly. The Capybara Café in St. Augustine is the place to go to find these rodents, the Associated Press reported. The cafe is known for capybaras wandering around and hanging out with visitors, and even providing some snuggles.|work=Cleveland.com|first=Kylee|last=Remington|date=12 April 2025|access-date=12 April 2025}} Michigan,{{cite news|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2025/04/cozy-cats-cafe-doubles-as-welcoming-community-hub-and-animal-shelter.html?outputType=amp|work=MLive (Michigan)|title=Cozy Cats Cafe doubles as welcoming community hub and animal shelter|quote=Crystal Burditt ... was able to get a phone. After that, she started seeing the popularity of pet cafes popping up all over the world. “It seemed like the coolest thing in the world and something resonated with me,” she said.|first=Kaytie|last=Boomer|date= 12 April 2025 |access-date=12 April 2025}} United Kingdom,{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/cat-cafes-should-be-phased-out-rspca-warns-13331963|work=Sky News (UK)|title=Cat cafes should be 'phased out', RSPCA warns|quote=There are currently over 30 cat cafes in England – and experts are warning they make it 'almost impossible' to meet the cats' needs.|date=20 March 2025 |access-date=12 April 2025}} Pennsylvania,{{cite news|url=https://www.abc27.com/news/new-cat-cafe-announces-lancaster-county-opening-date/amp/|title=New 'Cat Cafe' announces Lancaster County opening date|work=WABC 27|first=Mac |last=Bell|access-date=12 April 2025}} and California.{{cite news|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/peninsula-south-bay-new-open-20226290.php|title=Korean style cat cafe arrives|work=San Francisco Chronicle|first=Elena|last=Kadvany|date=3 April 2025|access-date=12 April 2025}} In Europe, cat cafés took off in places like Paris, Berlin, and London.{{Cite web | url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/56592/brief-history-cat-cafe |title = A Brief History of the Cat Café|date = 2014-06-04}}

"Cat café" was added to the online edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English in August 2015.{{cite web |title=New words in oxforddictionaries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/27/hangry-bants-fatberg-new-words-in-oxforddictionaries |access-date=28 August 2015 |website=TheGuardian.com}}{{Cite news |date=27 August 2015 |title=Manspreading, hangry, Grexit join Oxford online dictionary |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-life-manspread-idUSKCN0QW1Y620150827 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117062714/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/27/us-life-manspread-idUSKCN0QW1Y620150827 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |access-date=30 June 2017 |publisher=Reuters}}

In the United Kingdom, animal charities disagree on whether cat cafés are a suitable environment for cats, with the RSPCA, Cats Protection and the Celia Hammond Animal Trust criticizing them for keeping large numbers of cats in a confined space with a revolving population of people. However, International Cat Care, a nonprofit organization, takes a more positive view, saying, "It is a difficult environment to get right but it's not impossible by any means." All the charities agreed that cat cafés need to be properly regulated.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37199653|title=Are cat cafes good for cats?|date=13 September 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=14 September 2016}}

File:Nekokaigi, a cat cafe in Kyoto - March 16, 2010.jpg.]]

File:Roo Female Somali in Cat Café Tokyo.jpg in a cat café in Tokyo.]]

Cat cafés are quite popular in Japan, with Tokyo being home to 58 cat cafés {{as of|2015|lc=y}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/tokyo-cat-cafe-shut-down-animal-neglect-063457497.html?ref=gs|title=Tokyo cat cafe shut down for animal neglect|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112902/https://www.yahoo.com/news/tokyo-cat-cafe-shut-down-animal-neglect-063457497.html?ref=gs|url-status=dead}} The first was {{nihongo|Cat's Store|猫の店|Neko no Mise}}, by Norimasa Hanada, which opened in 2005. The popularity of cat cafés in Japan is attributed to many apartments forbidding pets, and to cats providing relaxing companionship in what may otherwise be a stressful and lonesome urban life. Other forms of pet rental, such as rabbit cafés, are also common in Japan.{{Cite web |date=2012-02-15 |title=Tokyo's rabbit cafes hopping with customers |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120216f2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215211543/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120216f2.html |archive-date=2012-02-15 |website=The Japan Times Online}}

There are various types of cat cafés in Japan. Some feature specific categories of cat such as black cats, fat cats, rare or popular breeds of cats or ex-stray cats. Cat cafés in Japan are required to obtain a license and comply with the nation's Animal Treatment and Protection Law.{{Cite web |last=Iwata |first=Mamiko |work=All About |url=http://allabout.co.jp/pet/cat/closeup/CU20100051A/ |date=7 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418151349/http://allabout.co.jp/pet/cat/closeup/CU20100051A/ |archive-date=18 April 2010 |lang=ja |title=猫が癒してくれる猫カフェ |trans-title=A cat cafe where cats will soothe you}}

Japanese cat cafés feature strict rules to ensure cleanliness and animal welfare, in particular seeking to ensure that the cats are not disturbed by excessive and unwanted attention, such as by young children or when sleeping. Many cat cafés also seek to raise awareness of cat welfare issues, such as abandoned and stray cats. Many cafes often 'employ' cats from local animal shelters to help them become accustomed to humans, as well as advertise them for possible adoption. From 2012 the cats could be displayed until 8 pm, but in 2016 the guidelines of the environment ministry state that they may visit and play with customers until 10 pm.{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/cats-at-japans-cat-cafes-now-allowed-to-stay-up-till-10pm/news-story/ab6955ba24d2af012438cd4c6b999c4a |title=Cats at Japan's 'cat cafes' now allowed to stay up till 10pm |date=28 April 2016 |work=News.com.au |access-date=3 May 2016}}

One café in Tokyo added goats as a way of having a unique element.{{Cite news |date=2013-07-11 |title=Tokyo cafe employs goats to add 'wow factor' - video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/jul/11/tokyo-cafe-goats-video |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

The Meow Cat Cafe opened in August 2023 in Gaza's Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood. Owned and run by Naeema Mabed, it was the first cat cafe in Gaza. With most people in the strip living in poverty, the cafe was considered a luxury. The Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip led to the cafe's closure.{{Cite web |last=Hajjaj |first=Tareq S. |date=2023-09-02 |title=Inside Gaza's first Cat Cafe — a refuge for some, but unattainable for many |url=https://mondoweiss.net/2023/09/inside-gazas-first-cat-cafe-a-refuge-for-some-but-unattainable-for-many/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Mondoweiss |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Twenty felines left behind in Gaza Strip after cat cafe owner was forced to flee |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/twenty-felines-left-behind-in-gaza-strip-after-cat-cafe-owner-was-forced-to-flee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114225133/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/twenty-felines-left-behind-in-gaza-strip-after-cat-cafe-owner-was-forced-to-flee |archive-date=14 November 2023 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |url-status=live }}

The first cat café in Singapore is Cat Café Neko no Niwa (Japanese for 'Cat Garden').{{Cite web |date=2020-12-26 |title=Cat cafes in Singapore: Where you can bliss out with kitties and cuppas |url=https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/cat-cafes-singapore-where-you-can-bliss-out-kitties-and-cuppas |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=AsiaOne |language=en}} There are at least five cat cafés in the city.{{cite web|title=Cat cafés in Singapore: boon or bane for cats?|date=19 December 2014 |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/cat-caf%C3%A9s-in-singapore--boon-or-bane-for-cats-092913198.html|access-date=23 September 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Five Cat Cafés That Have Taken Over Singapore And Why You Need To Visit Them - MustShareNews.com |url=http://mustsharenews.com/singapores-cat-cafes/ |access-date=29 October 2015 |website=MustShareNews.com |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729191851/https://mustsharenews.com/singapores-cat-cafes/ |url-status=dead }}

The Singaporean Cat cafés are regulated and licensed by Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and they are all bound to a 'code of conduct'. Individuals having questions with their cat needs can join the Cat Welfare Society, which helps with medical fees and sterilization costs or adopting of the cats. Cat cafés usually have their own specific house rules.{{cite web|title=The Cat Cafe Houserules|url=http://thecatcafe.sg/cat-cafe-rules/T|access-date=4 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=Cat Cafe Neko no Niwa|url=http://www.catcafe.com.sg/cafe-rules/|access-date=4 September 2015}}

Cuddles Cat Cafe was investigated by AVA in December 2014.{{cite web|title=AVA investigates allegations of animal deaths at cat cafe|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ava-investigates-allegations-animal-deaths-cat-cafe|access-date=3 September 2015}}

Malaysia has also seen a rise in the cat and pet cafe trend since 2015 any many have popped in cities across the country. Generally, different states have different laws, standards, permits and restrictions for cafes with animals. The Animal Welfare Act requires licence for those having animals for a living to prevent animal cruelty but enforcement has been weak.{{cite web |url=https://cilisos.my/heres-how-the-gomen-is-making-sure-that-catsdogs-at-msian-pet-cafes-get-employee-rights/ |title=Malaysia's Animal Welfare Act requires cat and dog cafes need licence to prevent animal cruelty |date=12 October 2017 }}

In 2017, Penang, where animal cafes are extremely popular, a new ruling required animal cafes to have separate rooms for guests to dine and handle the pets.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/11/24/making-pet-cafes-safer-councils-new-hygiene-guidelines-to-be-enforced-from-jan-1 |title=Making pet cafes safer |date=24 November 2017 }}

Meanwhile in 2024, the unanimous passing of the Protection of Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly meant that animals are not allowed in food premises in Sarawak, including cat cafes which affected cat cafe owners there.{{cite news |last1=Najihah |first1=Fatin Nurul |title=Kuching's sole cat cafe operator bemoans prohibition of pets from food premises {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1048835/kuchings-sole-cat-cafe-operator-bemoans-prohibition-pets-food-premises |work=NST Online |date=10 May 2024 |language=en}}

South Korea has several cat cafés mostly in Seoul. Cat cafés in South Korea have been very successful among both residents and tourists in South Korea. Customers can adopt a cat at the cat cafés.{{Cite news|url=https://wingsbirdpro.com/2022/10/best-cat-cafes-in-seoul-south-korea-to-visit/|title=Cat Café In Seoul list- Wings Bird Pro|date=2016-05-17|work=wingsbirdpro.com|access-date=2018-10-29|language=en-US}}

Cats are popular pets in Taiwan, with the cat population increasing rapidly in recent years.{{cite web|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=242246&ctNode=2183|title=Taiwan's love affair with cats purrs ahead|date=16 February 2016}} The world's first cat café, named "Cat Flower Garden" was opened in Taipei in 1998, where there is also a luxurious "Cathy Hotel" especially for cats. The Taiwanese cat café concept then spread to Japan, and later to most other countries around the world.{{cite web|last=Lemmin |first=Ulrike |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/cat-cafes-world/index.html |title=Cat-ching! Cat cafes take over world - CNN.com |publisher=CNN |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=19 June 2016}}

Thailand has several cat cafés, mostly in Bangkok, such as Cat Cafe by Dome, Cat Up Cafe, and Purr Cat Cafe Club, which were all located in Bangkok.{{Cite web|title = Dogs, Cats, Lattes: Bangkok's Best Pet Cafes|url = http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/article/bangkoks-top-cafe-pets|website = BK Magazine Online|date = 8 August 2014|access-date = 24 November 2015}} Each serves baked goods with a small menu of main dishes and coffee and tea. Many have special pricing for petting time with a specific cat. Prices are usually a little higher than at most cafés. They all have rules regarding the behavior of guests towards the cats and often have purebred cats.

There is a cat cafe in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. It was opened in 2018 by a local businesswoman.{{cite news|url=https://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/383317-check-out-dubais-dedicated-cat-caf%C3%A9|title=Check out Dubai's dedicated cat café|date=September 6, 2018|newspaper=Time Out Dubai}}

India's first cat café, Cat Café Studio opened in 2015, located in Versova, Mumbai. All the cats at Cat Café Studio are adoptable senior and special needs rescue cats, rescued by their NGO unit, The Feline Foundation. Zcyphher, an independent creative agency, is the parent company, whose founders, Mriidu Khosla, Charu Khosla and Jason Moss in 2010 on a small scale started rescuing stray cats, taking care of them, tending to their medical needs, and offering them up for adoption.

After an overwhelming response to the cat café concept, the founders then established that Cat Café Studio was opened to everyone in 2015. Today, they have become a large adoption center. The cafe is a self-sustaining social enterprise, proceeds made from the cafe goes toward the care and facilitation of adoption of the rescued cats in their care. They have an entry fee of ₹200 to visit their 'Cat Area' where one can spend unlimited time with the cats in their care, this fee helps them care for the cats.

Furthermore, they host between 15 and 20 adoptable cats at any given time.

Cat Café Studio also has a dedicated studio space, The Art Studio, where artists can host events. Every year they also have some major celebrations around Valentines Day, International Cat day, Diwali and Christmas along with events that are adoption-awareness, and which also has the potential to pull fundraisers.{{Cite web |title=Cat Café Studio - India's first Cat Café |url=https://www.catcafestudio.com/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Cat Café Studio |language=en}}

File:Cat Cafe (Cat Caffe).jpg, Slovenia.]]

According to local legend, the world's first cat café opened in Vienna in the summer of 1912 and ceased operation approximately two years later. It is said that Vladimir Lenin was a regular for a period in 1913, finding the feline companionship a comfort during his time of exile. The cat café is known to have ceased operation shortly after the beginning of the First World War, although the much repeated story that the closure was due to its patriotic owner's donating all the cats to a factory making fur-lined boots for the war effort may be apocryphal.{{cite web |last1=Savory |first1=Anna |title=Modern Life: What is a Cat Café? |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oldie/20151209/282218009716840 |website=The Oldie |publisher=Press Reader |access-date=15 March 2025 |date=9 December 2015}} In 2012 cat café Neko was opened in Vienna,{{Cite web |title=Cafe Neko |url=http://www.cafeneko.at/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206150002/http://www.cafeneko.at/ |archive-date=6 February 2019 }}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-10 |title=Vienna's First Cat Cafe |website=BuzzFeed |url=http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/viennas-first-cat-cafe |access-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510102307/http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/viennas-first-cat-cafe |archive-date=10 May 2012 }} and reopened as Nekopoint in 2023, as did a second cat cafe called BaristaCats.{{Cite web |title=Katzencafé Neko eröffnet mit Selbstbedienungskonzept neu |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/2000146127624/katzencafe-neko-eroeffnet-mit-selbstbedienungskonzept-neu |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}}{{Cite web |title=Soziales Katzencafé {{!}} Barista Cats {{!}} Wien |url=https://www.baristacats.at/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Barista Cats |language=de}}

Le Chat Touille was opened up in Brussels in 2014,{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/meet-the-founder-of-brussels-first-cat-cafe/|title=Meet The Founder Of Brussels' First Cat Cafe|last=Benoit|first=Stephanie|website=Culture Trip|date=3 November 2015 |access-date=2020-01-20}} followed by DreamCATchers which opened in Ghent in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://wearedreamcatchers.be|title=We Are DreamCATchers|website=wearedreamcatchers.be|language=nl|access-date=2018-01-24}} The cats were rescued from shelters and rehabilitated, if necessary, with the aid of volunteers and a cat behavioural therapist. Customers can adopt these cats. It runs on donations and money customers spend in the café or on other products.

The first cat cafe in Germany, Katzentempel, opened in Munich in 2013 and as of 2025 it has locations in 16 German cities.{{Cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Florian |date=2013-06-04 |title=München: Am Katzentisch im Café Katzentempel |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-maxvorstadt-cafe-katzentempel-1.1687390 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-24 |title=Über Uns - Katzentempel |url=https://katzentempel.de/ueber-uns/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=katzentempel.de |language=de}} Berlin's first cat cafe Pee Pee Katzencafe opened in 2013.{{Cite web |date=2013-08-01 |title=In diesem Café dreht sich alles um die Katze - B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins |url=https://www.bz-berlin.de/archiv-artikel/in-diesem-cafe-dreht-sich-alles-um-die-katze |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=www.bz-berlin.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Berlins erstes Katzencafé – offizelle Webseite Pee Pees Katzencafé |url=http://peepeeskatzencafe.de/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |language=de-DE}} Zur Mieze, which also includes music performances, opened in Berlin in 2015.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-04 |title=Im Café "Zur Mieze" ist der Name auch Programm - B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins |url=https://www.bz-berlin.de/archiv-artikel/im-cafe-zur-mieze-ist-der-name-auch-programm |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=www.bz-berlin.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=HOME |url=https://www.zur-mieze.de/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=katzenmusikcafe |language=de}} The cafe Baristacats in Berlin was open from 2016 to the end of 2018.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-09 |title=Kaffee und Kater: Nach asiatischem Vorbild betreibt Hanna Franz ihr Café am Malchower Weg |url=https://www.berliner-woche.de/alt-hohenschoenhausen/c-wirtschaft/kaffee-und-kater-nach-asiatischem-vorbild-betreibt-hanna-franz-ihr-caf-am-malchower-weg_a116371 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Berliner Woche |language=de}}{{Cite web |date=2016-04-03 |title=BaristaCats - Katzencafé Berlin - Home |url=http://www.katzencafe-berlin.de/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403003139/http://www.katzencafe-berlin.de/ |archive-date=3 April 2016 }}{{Cite web |date=2019-03-13 |title=BaristaCats - Katzencafé Berlin - Home |url=http://www.katzencafe-berlin.de/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313135335/http://www.katzencafe-berlin.de/ |archive-date=13 March 2019 }} In Bielefeld the cat cafe Miezhaus opened in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Sahlmen |first=Andrea |title=Katzencafé Miezhaus öffnet am Donnerstag |url=https://www.nw.de/lokal/bielefeld/mitte/21792325_Katzencafe-Miezhaus-oeffnet-am-Donnerstag.html |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Neue Westfälische |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Cat Café Miezhaus |url=https://katzencafe-miezhaus.de/?lang=en |access-date=2025-01-27 |language=en-US}}

The first cat café in Greece, Cat Cafe Athens, opened in Athens in October 2023.{{Cite web |last=Σουφλή |first=Νάντια |date=2023-10-03 |title=Ναταλί και Δημήτρης: Άφησαν τις δουλειές τους και ανοίγουν το πρώτο cat cafe στην Αθήνα |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/k/k-magazine/562650670/natali-kai-dimitris-afisan-tis-doyleies-toys-kai-anoigoyn-to-proto-cat-cafe-stin-athina/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ |language=greek}} The café works in partnership with the Ilioupolis Animal Welfare Union and all cats are up for adoption.

The first Italian cat café was opened in Turin in March 2014; at first it hosted six cats. Its name was MiaGola Café,{{cite news | title = Sei gatti "seduti" al MiaGola Café a intrattenere i clienti | first = Antonella | last = Mariotti | journal = La Stampa | date = 21 March 2015 | url = http://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/21/societa/lazampa/sei-gatti-seduti-al-miagola-caf-a-intrattenere-i-clienti-OC7GPfL46fd1WNj4WKaKLO/pagina.html | language = it | access-date = 4 June 2015 | archive-date = 31 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180831211848/http://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/21/societa/lazampa/sei-gatti-seduti-al-miagola-caf-a-intrattenere-i-clienti-OC7GPfL46fd1WNj4WKaKLO/pagina.html | url-status = dead }} which in Italian can be interpreted as a language game: literally mia gola can be translated my gluttony, while miagola (stressed on the first syllable: miàgola) means (he or she) meows.

The café was shut down in February 2021 in response to the financial crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. The cats were given up for adoption.{{cite news | title = A Torino chiude il Miagola Cafè, il primo locale dove i gatti erano i padroni di casa | first = Fulvio | last = Cerutti | journal = La Stampa | date = 9 February 2021 | url = https://www.lastampa.it/la-zampa/2021/02/09/news/a_torino_chiude_il_miagola_cafe_il_primo_locale_dove_i_gatti_erano_i_padroni_di_casa-367900299/ | language = it}}

The Neko Cat Cafe was opened in Turin on 5 April 2014.{{cite web|title=Get the Purrr-fect Snack in These Cat Cafés Around the World|url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/get-the-purrr-fect-snack-in-these-cat-cafes-around-the-101432148032.html|publisher=Yahoo Travel|access-date=18 April 2016|date=3 November 2014}}{{cite web|author1=Alessandra Magliaro|title=Cat cafe, from Japan to Italy was born the trend|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/specializzati/lifestyle/2014/01/02/Cat-cafe-Giappone-Italia-nasce-trend_10231867.html|publisher=ANSA Lifestyle|access-date=18 April 2016}} The resident cats were all adopted from animal welfare organizations. The café has since shut down.{{cite web|title=Il Caffè dei gatti di Torino chiude dopo aver subito un furto | url = https://www.quotidianopiemontese.it/2016/07/14/il-caffe-dei-gatti-di-torino-chiude-dopo-aver-subito-un-furto/ | publisher = Quotidiano Piemontese | date = 14 July 2016 | language = it}}

The cat café in Lithuania "Cat Cafe Kačių kavinė" opened in Vilnius in October 2014. Cat Cafe is located in center at Gedimino pr. 5. It is one of the biggest cafes with cats in the world; 15 cats lived there in 2014.{{cite news|title=Vilniaus centre kurs kačių kavinę|url=http://vz.lt/article/2014/2/6/vilniaus-centre-kurs-ka..|access-date=6 February 2014|newspaper=Time Out|date=6 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064000/http://vz.lt/article/2014/2/6/vilniaus-centre-kurs-ka..|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}

The cat café Kopjes was opened in Amsterdam in April 2015.{{cite news |first=Janene |last=Pieters |url=http://www.nltimes.nl/2015/04/22/amsterdam-cat-cafe-opens-today/ |title=Amsterdam Cat Cafe Opens Today |newspaper=NL Times |date=22 April 2015 }} In Groningen Kattencafé Op z'n Kop opened in February 2016{{cite web|url=http://www.nu.nl/groningen/4212881/kattencafe-opent-deuren-.html|title=Kattencafé opent de deuren|work=NU|date=11 February 2016|access-date=18 April 2016}} and cat café Poeslief opened in October 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.dvhn.nl/groningen/Tweede-kattencaf%C3%A9-in-Groningen-opent-deuren-21714435.html|title=Tweede Kattencafé in Groningen opent deuren|work=Dagblad van het Noorden|date=19 October 2016 |access-date=19 October 2016}} The cat café Miespoes opened in Den Bosch in 2016, as did cat café Katdeau in Hengelo. In August 2016 kattencafé Ditjes & Katjes opened in The Hague.{{cite news|title=Kroelen bij opening nieuw kattencafé in Den Haag|url=http://www.ad.nl/den-haag/kroelen-bij-opening-nieuw-kattencafe-in-den-haag~a837774f/|access-date=26 March 2017|publisher=AD|date=9 August 2016}} Shortly afterwards Pebbles opened its doors as the first cat café in Rotterdam.{{cite news|last1=Post|first1=Ilja|title=Knuffels en cupcakes in Rotterdams eerste kattencafé|url=http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/rotterdam/2016/09/eerste-kattencafe-van-rotterdam-opent-deuren|access-date=26 March 2017|publisher=Metro|date=24 September 2016}} In 2017, the cat cafe Jippies opened in Haarlem.{{cite news|last1=Post|first1=Ilja|title=Nieuw in Haarlem: lunchen met 8 katten op schoot|url=https://haerlemsbodem.nl/nieuw-haarlem-lunchen-8-katten-op-schoot/|access-date=24 April 2018|publisher=Haerlems Bodem|date=14 October 2017|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301091114/https://haerlemsbodem.nl/nieuw-haarlem-lunchen-8-katten-op-schoot/|url-status=dead}} In 2018, the cat cafe De Familie Snorhaar opened in Breda.{{cite web|url=https://www.bndestem.nl/breda/kattencafe-familie-snorhaar-in-breda-gaat-nu-echt-open~af1fb48d/|title=Kattencafé Familie Snorhaar in Breda gaat nu echt open|date=19 October 2018|publisher=BN DeStem|access-date=15 July 2022}}

"Kociarnia", the first cat café in Poland opened in Kraków in June 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/594557637354587/photos/a.599527883524229.1073741828.594557637354587/678863572257326/|title=Timeline Photos - Kocia Kawiarnia Kociarnia - Facebook|website=Facebook |access-date=7 January 2016}} The name is a combination of Polish words kocia (of a cat) and kawiarnia (a café).

A second cat café, "Miau Café", opened in Warsaw in January 2016.{{cite web|title=Miau Cafe|url=http://www.warsawinsider.pl/miau-cafe/|publisher=Warsaw Insider|access-date=17 June 2016|date=3 February 2016}} The café offers coffee, cakes and vegan items for guests while acting as a shelter for homeless cats.{{cite web|title=Miau Cafe|url=https://www.happycow.net/reviews/miau-cafe-warsaw-71466|website=HappyCow|access-date=17 June 2016}} The Miau Café came to life because of the crowdfunding campaign on the Polish platform, wspieram.to, where some 1,700 residents of Warsaw contributed the financial resources to make the idea of the first cat café in Warsaw come true.{{cite web|url=http://www.thealternativetravelguide.com/2016/07/11/when-are-you-going-for-a-coffee-with-cats-cat-cafe-warsaw/|title=WHEN ARE YOU GOING FOR A COFFEE WITH CATS ? - CAT CAFE WARSAW|date=11 July 2016|access-date=16 November 2016}}

File:Kocia Kawiarnia Lublin.jpg

In 2016, a cat café was opened in Lublin. After one day of activity it was closed by sanitary inspectors. It was the subject of many controversies in the local media.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lublin112.pl/wojna-sanepidu-z-mrau-cafe-trwa-zadna-ze-stron-nie-poddaje-sie/|title=Wojna Sanepidu z Mrau Cafe trwa. Żadna ze stron nie poddaje się|date=2016-01-07|work=Lublin112.pl Wiadomości z Lublina i regionu. Lublin, Lubelskie, Lubelszczyzna|access-date=2017-11-09|language=pl-PL}} Eventually the conflict was settled and the cafe remains open.

Miau Cafe was opened in Spring 2015 in Bucharest.{{cite news |url=http://www.click.ro/news/bucuresti/aici-vii-sa-bei-cafeaua-si-pleci-cu-mata-la-pachet-foto-exclusiv |title=Aici vii să bei cafeaua şi pleci cu mâţa la pachet |trans-title=You come to have a coffee, you leave with a cat to go |work=Click! |publisher=Adevărul Holding |language=ro |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=26 March 2016}} The second cat café in Romania, La Pisici Cafe opened in September 2015 in Timișoara.{{Cite news|url=http://www.romaniatv.net/idee-inedita-a-doi-tineri-prima-cafenea-cu-pisici-a-fost-deschisa-in-romania-video_245572.html#n|title=Idee inedită a doi tineri. Prima cafenea cu PISICI a fost deschisă în România VIDEO|date=2015-09-19|work=romaniatv.net|access-date=2017-11-05}} A coffee house named Lady Cat also opened in Cluj-Napoca in March 2016.{{cite news |url=http://transilvaniareporter.ro/esential/nou-in-cluj-lady-cat-o-cafenea-inchinata-mariei-sale-pisica/ |title=Nou în Cluj: Lady Cat, o cafenea închinată Măriei Sale, pisica |trans-title=New in Cluj: Lady Cat, a coffee house dedicated to Her Royal Highness, the cat |work=Transilvania Reporter |first=Radu |last=Hângănuț |publisher=Transilvania Reporter Media |language=ro |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=26 March 2016}}

File:Murchim, cat café 01.jpg, Russia.]]

The first cat café in Europe and in Russia "Cats Republic" was opened in the center of Saint Petersburg in 2011. 25 cats live there.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} A second "Cats Republic" café with a different name (Республика Котов) was opened in 2016.

Other cat cafés in Russia include "Cats and People" (Котики и люди){{cite web |title=Cat café "Cats and People" opened on Sadovaya-Samotechnaya |url=https://daily.afisha.ru/archive/news/gorod-v-moskve-otkrylos-kotokafe-kotiki-i-lyudi/ |website=Afisha Daily |date=6 April 2015 |access-date=28 March 2023}}{{cite web |title=Kotokafe "Cats and People" |url=https://kotocafe.ru/ |website=Kotokafe |access-date=28 March 2023}} in Moscow, "Murchim" in Nizhny Novgorod, and many more in other major cities.

The first cat café in Slovakia, Pradúce klbko (previously as "Cafe Cats klub") was opened in Martin in April 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://myturiec.sme.sk/c/7726943/martin-ma-ako-prvy-na-slovensku-macaciu-kaviaren.html|title=Martin má ako prvý na Slovensku mačaciu kaviareň|last=a.s.|first=Petit Press|work=myturiec.sme.sk|access-date=2017-11-05|language=sk}} The next one, Mačkafé opened in Bratislava in May 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.modrykocour.cz/kockocteni/zajimavosti/v-kocici-kavarne-dil-sesty-mackafe-bratislava|title=V kočičí kavárně, díl šestý: Mačkafé, Bratislava - Zajímavosti - Modrý kocouř.cz|website=www.modrykocour.cz|access-date=2017-11-05}} The second one in Bratislava, Mačinézy opened in October 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://refresher.sk/25953-Prva-macacia-kaviaren-v-Bratislave-pomoze-aj-opustenym-zvieratkam|title=Prvá mačacia kaviareň v Bratislave pomôže aj opusteným zvieratkám|last=REFRESHER.sk|access-date=2017-11-05|language=sk}} A cat café named Mňaukafé also opened in Prešov in June 2017 as actually fourth in Slovakia.{{Cite news|url=http://presovskyden.sk/spolumajitelka-prvej-macacej-kaviarne-na-vychodnom-slovensku-zakaznici-u-nas-uz-aj-zaspali/|title=Spolumajiteľka prvej mačacej kaviarne na východnom Slovensku: Zákazníci u nás už aj zaspali - presovskyden.sk|date=2017-09-12|work=presovskyden.sk|access-date=2017-11-05|language=sk-SK|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107050107/http://presovskyden.sk/spolumajitelka-prvej-macacej-kaviarne-na-vychodnom-slovensku-zakaznici-u-nas-uz-aj-zaspali/|url-status=dead}} A Cat Café Club was opened in Poprad in February 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www1.pluska.sk/Regiony/Vychodne-Slovensko/Kavickari-tomto-podniku-zarucene-oddychnete-POZRITE-kto-vas-tu-bude-rozmaznavat|title=Kávičkári, v tomto podniku si zaručene oddýchnete: POZRITE SA, kto vás tu bude rozmaznávať!|access-date=2018-04-02|language=sk}}

The first cat café in Sweden was opened in Stockholm in 2019 named Java Whiskers, with all cats open for adoption.{{Cite web|date=2019-01-24|title=Senaste konceptkaféet - kaffe med kattmys på köpet|url=https://www.dn.se/sthlm/senaste-konceptkafeet-kaffe-med-kattmys-pa-kopet/|access-date=2021-01-24|website=Dagens Nyheter|language=sv}}

The first cat café in Ukraine was opened in Cherkasy in 2015.{{cite web |title=CatCafe in Cherkasy |url=https://www.catcafe.ck.ua/ |website=CatCafe |access-date=28 March 2023}} After that, more cat cafés were opened in Lviv and Kharkiv.{{cite web |title=In Cherkassy, you can drink coffee and calm your nerves in the company of a cat |url=https://ukraine.segodnya.ua/ukraine/v-cherkassah-mozhno-vypit-kofe-i-uspokoit-nervy-v-koshachey-kompanii-637364.html |website=ukraine.segodnya.ua |date=11 July 2022 |access-date=28 March 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Ghosh |first1=Poulomi |title='Who will feed our cats?': Ukraine's cat cafe still open; owners refuse to leave |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/our-cats-are-brave-ukraine-s-cat-cafe-still-open-owners-refuse-to-leave-101645855894410.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=26 February 2022 |access-date=28 March 2023}}

The first British cat café was opened in Totnes, Devon in June 2013.{{cite news|title=Purrfect! Britain's first cat cafe opens in England's 'Narnia'|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/416380/Purrfect-Britain-s-first-cat-cafe-opens-in-England-s-Narnia|access-date=14 September 2016|work=Express.co.uk|date=21 July 2013}} However it closed in May 2014.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

File:Manchester Cat Cafe 2016 005.jpg

In 2014 Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium in Bethnal Green, London, opened, with a two-month waiting list.{{cite web|url=http://news.instyle.com/2014/03/12/lady-dinahs-cat-emporium/|title=What's Right Meow: This London Café Has Us Feline Groovy - InStyle.com|work=InStyle.com|access-date=7 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2013/02/18/funding-secured-for-cat-cafe-to-open-in-east-london/|title=Funding secured for cat café to open in east London|work=Time Out Blog|access-date=7 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cntraveller.com/news/2013/february/cat-cafe-london|title=Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, Shoreditch - London's cat café (Condé Nast Traveller)|work=Traveller|date=21 February 2013|access-date=7 January 2016|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729215731/https://www.cntraveller.com/article/cat-cafe-london|url-status=dead}}{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26437881 | work=BBC News | title=London cat cafe opens to two-month waiting list | date=6 March 2014}} Newcastle upon Tyne is home to Mog on The Tyne Cat Café,{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/meet-moggy-family-newcastle-city-9626443|title=Meet the moggy family at Newcastle city centre's new cat cafe Mog on the Tyne|first=Coreena | last=Ford|date=10 July 2015|work=nechronicle|access-date=7 January 2016}} and Catpawcino.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-gets-second-cat-cafe-10135684|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926220939/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-gets-second-cat-cafe-10135684|url-status=live|archive-date=2015-09-26|title=Newcastle gets second cat cafe with opening of Catpawcino on the Quayside|date=25 September 2015}} Nottingham has a cat café called Kitty Café.{{cite web|title=Cat Café|url=http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/cat-caf-/id/7350|publisher=Left Lion UK|access-date=7 January 2016}} In 2015, several other UK cafes were in planning.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/the-rise-of-cat-cafes-the-perfect-solution-for-animal-lovers-who-cant-have-pets-10119850.html | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Camilla | last=Brugrand | title=The rise of cat cafes: the perfect solution for animal lovers who can't have pets | date=20 March 2015}}

The Bag of Nails in Bristol is a cat pub, and has had as many as 24 cats.{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Moran |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cat-pub-bristol_5644b801e4b060377347ebec |title=Move Over Cat Cafes, This Cat Pub Is Taking Over |website=Huffington Post |date=12 November 2015 }}{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Garrett |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-34871580 |title=The pub full of cats bringing feline fans to Bristol |publisher=BBC |date=21 November 2015 }} You&Meow, Bristol's first dedicated cat café, opened in February 2017 after a crowdfunding campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/people/interview-ewa-rukat-bristol-cat-cafe/ |title=Meet The Woman Behind Bristol's Cat Cafe |last=Alexander |first=Meena |date=26 Jan 2016 |website=Bristol24/7}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fundsurfer.com/project/first-cat-cafe-in-bristol |title=Bristol's First Cat Cafe |website=Fundsurfer|date=10 December 2015 }} It has 14 cats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youandmeow.co.uk/our-cats|title=Meet Our Zen Masters|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829113718/https://www.youandmeow.co.uk/our-cats|archive-date=29 August 2019|url-status=dead}}

A cat cafe opened in the Northern Quarter of Manchester on 30 July 2016.{{cite news | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/cat-cafe-manchester-opening-date-11478159 | title=Cat Cafe Manchester announces opening date - and you can book your visit NOW | work=Manchester Evening News | date=17 June 2016}}

The first cat café in Bournemouth, Pause Cat Café, was opened in 2016. This was funded by a crowdfunding campaign and contains 12 resident rescue cats, in addition to promoting the rescuing of cats.{{cite web|title=World getting you down? Bournemouth's getting its first-ever cat cafe to help you relax|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/14881099.World_getting_you_down__Bournemouth_s_getting_it_s_first_ever_cat_cafe_to_help_you_relax/|publisher=Daily Echo|access-date=16 November 2016|date=11 November 2016}}

Paws For Thought Cat Cafe, Romsey, was opened in October 2018, and was the first cat café to open up in Hampshire. It has eight resident cats, which were rescued in the UK and in Romania.{{cite web |last1=Reddin |first1=Lorelei |title=Cat cafe Paws For Thought in Romsey has 8 feline residents |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19905821.cat-cafe-paws-thought-romsey-8-feline-residents/ |website=Daily Echo |date=8 February 2022 |access-date=7 February 2023}}

Kiko's Cat Cafe in Rye, East Sussex opened in September 2023.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Megan |title=Cat cafe opens in East Sussex following partnership with animal rescue |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/cat-cafe-opens-in-east-sussex-following-partnership-with-animal-rescue-4282848 |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=Sussex World |date=6 September 2023}} They are a rescue and rehoming based cat cafe, with cats rescued from both the UK and abroad by their partner charity, People's Animal Welfare Society.

Maison de Moggy in Edinburgh is the first cat café in Scotland and was opened in January 2015.{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Vesty |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/weird-news/pictures-scotlands-first-cat-cafe-4989909 |title=In pictures: Scotland's first cat cafe Maison de Moggy opens its doors in Edinburgh |newspaper=Daily Record |date=16 January 2015 }}{{cite news |first=Claire |last=White |url=http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/316291-edinburgh-cat-cafe-maison-de-moggy-opening-permanently-in-west-port/ |title=Cat cafe Maison de Moggy finds purr-fect home in West Port |publisher=STV Edinburgh |date=7 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411030205/http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/316291-edinburgh-cat-cafe-maison-de-moggy-opening-permanently-in-west-port |archive-date=11 April 2015 }} Purrple Cat Cafe is planning to be Glasgow's first cat café, and was due to open in the summer of 2017 but was delayed due to prolonged works, until it was finally near the end of the year.{{Cite news|url=http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/cat-cafe-opening-glasgow-heres-12577514|title=There is a cat cafe opening in Glasgow - here's everything we know so far|last=Loney|first=Gillian|date=8 February 2017|work=glasgowlive|access-date=4 March 2017}} In early 2017, another cat café had opened called Cats Meow Kittea Café in Stirling.{{Cite news|url=https://www.stirlingnews.co.uk/news/15216805.stirling-cafe-offers-cake-coffee-and-the-company-of-cats/|title=Stirling café offers cake, coffee and the company of cats|last=Burns|first=Ashleigh|access-date=11 April 2017}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://stevedalepetworld.com/windy-city-to-windy-kitty-help-cat-cafe-to-help-cats/|title=Cat expert Steve Dale supports the Windy Kitty Cat Cafe coming to Chicago|website=stevedalepetworld.com|date=20 July 2017}}

The first cat café to open in Canada was Le Café des Chats/Cat Café Montreal{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2014/10/18/crazy-cat-ladies-rejoice-the-first-two-kitty-cafes-north-america-now-open-montreal/bVIcWnIkM1bYn50mO6rl3L/story.html|title=Crazy cat ladies rejoice: The first two kitty cafes in North America now open in Montreal - The Boston Globe|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=7 January 2016}} in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which opened its doors to the public in August 2014. Café Chat L'Heureux (also in Montreal) was opened in September 2014 with 8 cats adopted from local shelters.

On 17 October 2015 My Kitty Café was opened as Ontario's first cat café, located in Guelph, Ontario.{{cite web|url=http://www.guelphtribune.ca/community-story/5972997-guelph-s-first-kitty-caf-is-open-for-business/|title=Guelph's first Kitty Café is open for business|date=22 October 2015 |access-date=7 January 2016}}

The Siberian Cat Café opened in 2015 in Chelsea, Quebec. This cat café had only Siberian cats, making it the first hypoallergenic cat café in the world.{{cite news | title=World's first hypoallergenic cat cafe opening in Chelsea, Quebec | location=Toronto | newspaper=Metro | date=10 June 2015 | url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2015/06/10/the-worlds-first-hypoallergenic-cat-cafe-is-opening-in-chelsea-quebec.html | access-date=14 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826145849/http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2015/06/10/the-worlds-first-hypoallergenic-cat-cafe-is-opening-in-chelsea-quebec.html | archive-date=26 August 2016 | url-status=dead }}

File:Charming Cat Cafe, Vista Ridge, Lewisville.jpg, Lewisville, Texas]]

File:Cat petting store in lower east side nyc.jpg of Manhattan, New York City]]

In the United States, most health departments require special steps to separate the cafe area from area where the cats are housed. In some cases, this even extends to areas that cats pass through only briefly (e.g. an adopted cat must leave through a separate door without passing an area that prepares food).{{cite web|title=What's a Cat Cafe?|url=http://www.catcafesd.com/us/whats-a-cat-cafe/|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207043544/https://www.catcafesd.com/us/whats-a-cat-cafe/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=dead}}

Gaining regulatory approval can be difficult, as with KitTea of San Francisco.{{cite web|url=https://www.eater.com/2014/1/23/6293059/san-franciscos-first-cat-cafe-is-in-the-works|title=San Francisco's First Cat Cafe Is In the Works|date=23 January 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/2280/heres-an-inside-look-at-japans-best-cat-cafes/|title=Here's An Inside Look at Japan's Best Cat Cafes|magazine=Time}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/kittea-cat-cafe-welcomes-feline-friends/|title=KitTea cat cafe welcomes feline friends|date=23 January 2014}}{{Cite web|title = BREAKING: Cat Cafe Coming To San Francisco|url = http://sfist.com/2014/01/22/breaking_cat_cafe_coming_to_san_fra.php|website = SFist|access-date = 1 February 2016|first = Brock|last = Keeling|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160316113426/http://sfist.com/2014/01/22/breaking_cat_cafe_coming_to_san_fra.php|archive-date = 16 March 2016|df = dmy-all}} Starting the process in November 2013,{{cite news|url=https://www.citylab.com/design/2014/01/long-regulatory-road-americas-first-cat-cafe/8200/|title=The Long Regulatory Road to America's First Cat Cafe|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=28 January 2014}} KitTea's design was finally approved in August 2014{{cite web|url=https://sf.curbed.com/2014/8/14/10060348/phew-sfs-first-cat-cafe-inks-lease-construction-begins-asap|title=Phew: SF's First Cat Café Inks Lease, Construction Begins ASAP|date=14 August 2014}} after extensive negotiation with San Francisco's Health Department. Oakland's Cat Town was the first cat cafe to open its doors to customers, signing a lease in July 2014 and opening just months later in October.{{cite news|title=The Race For America's First Cat Cafe Heats Up As Oakland's Cat Town Cafe Signs Lease|url=http://sfist.com/2014/07/02/the_race_for_americas_first_cat_caf.php|work=SFist|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723141217/http://sfist.com/2014/07/02/the_race_for_americas_first_cat_caf.php|archive-date=23 July 2017|df=dmy-all}} These timelines highlight not only the regulatory hurdles for cat cafes that prepare food on premises, but also differences between local governments that are mere miles from one another.

In contrast to Japanese cat cafés, US cafes typically focus on adoptions. Within seven months of being open, Cat Town reported that "the euthanasia rate at its partner shelter has declined from 41 to 21 percent, and 184 cats have made the transition from the cafe's Cat Zone to permanent homes".{{cite news|title=Only Seven Months In, Oakland's Cat Town Cafe Plots an Expansion|url=https://sf.eater.com/2015/5/19/8626289/cat-town-cafe-oakland-expansion-more-space|work=Eater SF}} Similarly, The Cat Cafe in San Diego has facilitated adoptions for more than 250 cats (January 2015 – October 2017){{Cite web|url=https://www.catcafesd.com/updates/2017/10/05/cat-cafe-sends-five-cats-home/|title=The Cat Cafe Sends Five Cats Home in September|date=October 5, 2017|website=The Cat Cafe|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012100323/https://www.catcafesd.com/updates/2017/10/05/cat-cafe-sends-five-cats-home/|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=dead}} and KitTea of San Francisco has adopted 203 (June 2015 – February 2018).{{cite web|url=https://www.kitteasf.com/adopted-cats/|title=Adopted Cats|website=KitTea}}

In June 2015, Crumbs and Whiskers opened its first cat café in Washington, D.C., where it partnered with the local chapter of the Humane Society; this café provides a boarding space for around 15–25 cats at a time, all of which are provided by the Humane Society and made available for adoption.{{cite web|author1=Caroline Tucker|title=Cat cafe pounces forward in D.C.|url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/03/cat-cafe-pounces-forward-in-d-c--112694.html|publisher=ABC7|access-date=29 March 2015|date=28 March 2015|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130200927/https://wjla.com/news/local/cat-cafe-pounces-forward-in-d-c--112694|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author1=Courtney Pomeroy|title=D.C.'s Cat Cafe, Crumbs and Whiskers, Makes Strides Toward Opening This Year|url=http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/03/23/d-c-s-cat-cafe-crumbs-and-whiskers-makes-strides-toward-opening-this-year/|publisher=CBS|access-date=29 March 2015|date=23 March 2015}}{{cite web|author1=Rachel Nania|title=Founder shares plans for D.C.'s first cat café, Crumbs and Whiskers|url=http://wtop.com/food/2015/02/plans-continue-d-c-s-first-cat-cafe/|website=WTOP|publisher=Washington's Top News|access-date=29 March 2015|date=18 February 2015}}{{cite news|author1=Perry Stein|title=Meet the woman who left her consulting job to open D.C.'s first cat cafe|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/02/06/meet-the-woman-who-left-her-consulting-job-to-open-d-c-s-first-cat-cafe/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=29 March 2015|date=6 February 2015}}{{cite news|author1=Perry Stein|title=Not-yet-open D.C. cat cafe raises serious money in 1 day|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/03/09/not-yet-open-d-c-cat-cafe-raises-serious-money-in-1-day/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=29 March 2015|date=9 March 2015}}{{cite news|author1=Maura Judkis|title=So, how would a cafe crawling with adorable kittens pass a D.C. health inspection?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2014/11/20/so-how-would-a-cafe-crawling-with-adorable-kittens-pass-a-d-c-health-inspection/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=29 March 2015|date=20 November 2014}} Crumbs and Whiskers subsequently opened its second café in Los Angeles, California in September 2016.{{cite web|author=Megan Moureaux|title=Cats Looking for Furever Homes at LA's First Cat Cafe|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Cats-Looking-Furever-Homes-LA-Cat-Cafe-397474921.html|publisher=NBC Los Angeles|access-date=1 January 2017|date=18 October 2016}}{{cite web|author=Suzanne Sproul|title=Everything you need to know about LA's first cat cafe Crumbs & Whiskers|url=https://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20160923/everything-you-need-to-know-about-las-first-cat-cafe-crumbs-amp-whiskers|publisher=Los Angeles Daily News|access-date=1 January 2017|date=23 September 2016}}The first cafe in New York City, Meow Parlor, opened in Manhattan in 2014.{{Cite web |last=Preston |first=Marguerite |date=2014-11-25 |title=Everything You Need to Know About Meow Parlour, New York City's First Cat Cafe |url=https://ny.eater.com/2014/11/25/7256129/meow-parlour-new-york-city-first-cat-cafe-lower-east-side |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Eater NY |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=MEOW PARLOUR |url=https://www.meowparlour.com/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=MEOW PARLOUR |language=en-US}} In September 2015, a second café opened in Manhattan, called Koneko, supporting cats from Anjellicle Cats Rescue.{{cite news|author1=Olivia B. Waxman|title=Another Cat Cafe Is Opening in New York City|url=https://time.com/3987579/new-york-city-second-cat-cafe/|publisher=Time|access-date=12 August 2015|date=8 August 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Koneko Cat Cafe |url=https://www.konekonyc.com/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Koneko Cat Cafe |language=en-US}} A cat cafe in New York City's borough of Brooklyn opened in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Rinn |first=Natalie |date=2016-05-09 |title=Getting Cozy with Cats: Inside Brooklyn's First Cat Café |url=https://www.bkmag.com/2016/05/09/brooklyn-cat-cafe/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=BKMAG}}{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://catcafebk.com/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Brooklyn Cat Cafe |language=en-US}} The first cafe in the New York City borough of Queens opened in March 2025 in the neighborhood of Flushing.{{Cite web |last=Albarracin |first=Paulina |date=2025-04-14 |title=Queens' first ever cat café makes purr-fect landing at Tangram Mall in Flushing – QNS |url=https://qns.com/2025/04/queens-first-ever-cat-cafe-tangram-mall-flushing/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=qns.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kokoro Cat Café |url=https://www.kokorocatcafe.com/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Kokoro Cat Cafe |language=en-US}} In October 2015, the Blue Cat Cafe opened in Austin, Texas, partnering with the Austin Humane Society as a cafe and adoption center.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/18/ut-alumna-opens-texas%E2%80%99-first-cat-cafe|title=UT alumna opens Texas' first cat cafe|access-date=7 January 2016|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005040/http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/18/ut-alumna-opens-texas%E2%80%99-first-cat-cafe|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bluecatcafe.com/?gclid=CIb0yY2Dj8oCFYI_aQodn9EODA|title=Cat For Adoption - Cats To Adopt - Luxury Cat Beds|work=Blue Cat Cafe|access-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050753/http://www.bluecatcafe.com/?gclid=CIb0yY2Dj8oCFYI_aQodn9EODA|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} After years of controversy surrounding the café's role in the gentrification of East Austin and a 2017 interview the owner gave to InfoWars, a website known for propagating far-right conspiracy theories, the Blue Cat Cafe closed in February 2019.{{Cite web |title=East Austin's Blue Cat Cafe closes following years of controversy - CultureMap Austin |url=https://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/02-05-19-controversial-blue-cat-cafe-east-austin-closed-jumpolin/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=austin.culturemap.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Michael |date=2018-03-21 |title=The Battle of the Blue Cat Café |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-battle-of-the-blue-cat-cafe/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Katie |title=Blue Cat Cafe closes after controversial run in East Austin |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2019/02/06/blue-cat-cafe-closes-after/1859217007/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}} Three years later, the Purrfecto Cat Lounge opened in Austin in partnership with the Sunshine Fund and the Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue.{{Cite web |last=Chaudhury |first=Nadia |date=2022-07-19 |title=An Adorable Cat Cafe Is Cozying Up on South Lamar |url=https://austin.eater.com/2022/7/19/23270289/purrfecto-cat-lounge-opens-austin-cat-cafe-adopt-cats-coffee |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Eater Austin |language=en}} In December 2015, Seattle, Washington, opened its first cat café, called Seattle Meowtropolitan.{{cite web |first=Rachel |last=Belle |title=Seattle Meowtropolitan Cafe is the city's very first cat cafe |url=http://mynorthwest.com/874/2871989/Seattle-Meowtropolitan-Cafe-is-the-citys-very-first-cat-cafe |website=My Northwest.com |publisher=KIRO radio |date=16 December 2015 }} In December 2015, the first cat cafe in Dallas, Texas—The Charming Cat Cafe—opened in Vista Ridge Mall, showcasing kitties from Kitty Save.{{Cite web|title = Cat Café Helps Connect Felines to Forever Families|url = http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Cat-Cafe-Helps-Connect-Felines-to-Forever-Families-363962501.html|website = NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth| date=January 2016 |access-date = 9 February 2016}}{{Cite web|title = Cat café offers hands-on adoption right meow {{!}} North Texas Daily|url = http://ntdaily.com/cat-cafe-offers-hands-on-adoption-right-meow/|website = ntdaily.com|date = 4 February 2016|access-date = 9 February 2016|archive-date = 18 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200918170554/https://www.ntdaily.com/cat-cafe-offers-hands-on-adoption-right-meow/|url-status = dead}}{{Cite web|title = Charming Cat Corner opens at Vista Ridge Mall - Local News, Notes and Events - News and Opinion - The Lewisville Texan Journal|url = http://lewisvilletexan.com/xoops/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4087|website = lewisvilletexan.com|access-date = 10 February 2016|first = The Lewisville Texan|last = Journal|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160302171825/http://lewisvilletexan.com/xoops/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4087|archive-date = 2 March 2016|url-status = dead}}

In March 2016, Cat Cafe Mad opened in Madison, Wisconsin,{{cite web|title=Attention cat lovers: "Cat café" set to open on Monroe Street in Madison on March 21st|url=http://fox6now.com/2016/03/14/attention-cat-lovers-cat-cafe-set-to-open-on-monroe-street-in-madison-on-march-21st/|publisher=Fox News: Fox6Now|access-date=27 April 2016|date=14 March 2016}} but was set to close the next year.{{cite news |title=Cat Cafe Mad set to close in July |url=https://www.channel3000.com/news/cat-cafe-mad-set-to-close-in-july/749611822 |access-date=1 October 2018 |work=Channel3000 (WISC-TV) |date=5 June 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002070017/https://www.channel3000.com/news/cat-cafe-mad-set-to-close-in-july/749611822 |url-status=dead }} In December 2016, Ashley Brooks opened "Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar" in Charleston, South Carolina. Pounce has partnered with the largest animal shelter in South Carolina, Charleston Animal Society.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/Eat/archives/2015/09/28/yes-charleston-might-get-a-cat-cafe|title=Yes, Charleston might get a cat cafe|work=Charleston City Paper|date=28 September 2015 |access-date=7 January 2016}}

In 2017, the Cafe Meow became the first cat café to open in Minnesota,{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-first-cat-cafe-could-open-soon-in-uptown/449431493/|title=Minnesota's first 'cat cafe' signs a lease in Uptown Minneapolis|work=Star Tribune|access-date=2018-02-05}} Tinker's Cat Café became the first cat café to open in Utah,{{cite news|url=https://www.utahbusiness.com/tinkers-cat-cafe-new/|title=Tinker's Cat Café Ioebs First of its Kind in Utah|website=www.utahbusiness.com}} and The Purrfect Roast became Chicago's first cat café.{{cite news|url= https://chicago.eater.com/2017/7/12/15956342/first-cat-cafe-chicago-treehouse-shelter-purrfect-roast-opening|title=First cat cafe|website=chicago.eater.com}} It has since shut down. In 2018, the Windy Kitty Cat Cafe opened in Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://chicago.eater.com/2017/12/18/16790822/windy-kitty-cat-cafe-open-bucktown-gallery-cafe|title=Chicago Cat Cafe Alert: Bucktown's Windy Kitty is Open|date=18 December 2017}}

Also in 2017, in Grand Rapids, the Happy Cat Café became the first cat café in Michigan. Unlike most cat cafés, the Happy Cat Café requires that visitors schedule their visits ahead of time, and in large groups. They act as a cat themed party venue, with specialized events like cat yoga parties as well as more traditional events involving food and cats. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Happy Cat Café was shut down for most of 2020, during which they performed renovations, and re-opened on January 2, 2021, but only for one-hour events for small groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/happy-cat/69-a39f5405-852a-4f74-ba30-4c310be8282a|title = Happy Cat Cafe is testing out their 'new normal'| date=3 January 2021 }}

In Boston the Purr Cat cafe opened in 2017 but closed in 2019 after controversy before and following its opening.{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Dan |date=2017-11-20 |title=After series of setbacks, Boston's first cat cafe opens |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2017/11/20/after-series-of-setbacks-bostons-first-cat-cafe-opens/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Alyssa |date=2019-10-09 |title=The Brighton Cat Cafe That Launched an All-Out Facebook War Appears to Have Closed |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2019/10/09/purr-cat-cafe-closed/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Boston Magazine |language=en-US}} A Sanctuary Cafe opened in the Boston neighborhood of Beacon Hill in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Jonas |first=Annie |title=See inside: Boston's only cat cafe is now open |url=https://www.boston.com/news/neighborhoods/2024/07/17/cat-cafe-micro-bookstore-opens-in-beacon-hill/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.boston.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=A Sanctuary Cafe |url=https://www.asanctuarycafe.com/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=A Sanctuary Cafe |language=en-US}}

Two cat cafés, Colony Cafe and The Black Cat Market, have opened in Pittsburgh. The Black Cat Market has experienced several of the regulatory issues outlined above.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pittsburghs-second-cat-cafe-the-black-cat-market-needs-some-good-luck/Content?oid=11531628|title=Pittsburgh's second cat café, The Black Cat Market, needs some good luck|first=Lisa|last=Cunningham|website=Pittsburgh City Paper}} Columbus, Ohio, was home to the Eat Purr Love Cat Cafe, which was open from 2016 to 2020,{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Walker |title=Eat Purr Love Cat Cafe Closes Clintonville Location |url=https://columbusunderground.com/eat-purr-love-cat-cafe-closes-clintonville-location-we1/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=Columbus Underground |date=18 May 2020}} with Kitty Bubble Café opening in fall 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Kitty Bubble Café offers cats + drinks in Columbus, Ohio |url=https://cbustoday.6amcity.com/kitty-bubble-cafe-columbus-ohio |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=CBUStoday |language=en}}

Naughty Cat Cafe opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee in March 2019.{{Cite web|title=UPDATE: St. Elmo's Naughty Cat Cafe exceeding expectations|url=https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/40132786/update-st-elmos-naughty-cat-cafe-exceeding-expectations|access-date=2020-08-14|website=www.wrcbtv.com|date=15 March 2019 |language=en}} They house 30 adoptable cats and visitors can enjoy coffee, tea and beer while spending time with the cats.{{Cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://www.naughtycatcafe.com/faq|access-date=2020-08-14|website=NAUGHTY CAT CAFE|language=en-US}}

The first cat café in New Zealand, the Cat Lounge, opened in November 2015.{{Cite web|title=New Zealand's first cat cafe, The Cat Lounge, faces closure |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/104456845/new-zealands-first-cat-cafe-the-cat-lounge-faces-closure|website=Stuff|date=2018-06-05|access-date=2024-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127024223/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/104456845/new-zealands-first-cat-cafe-the-cat-lounge-faces-closure|archive-date=2024-11-27}} There are now many cat cafés across New Zealand.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

• Animal cafe
• List of Taiwanese inventions and discoveries
• Petting zoo

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|Cat cafés}}

{{Types of coffeehouses}}

{{Domestic cat|state=uncollapsed}}

Category:1998 introductions

Category:Animals in entertainment

Category:Types of coffeehouses and cafés

Category:Cats in Japan

Category:Culture of Japan

Category:Taiwanese inventions

Category:Theme restaurants

Category:Nekonomics