J J

Review of The Cafe Cat

Honestly really disappointed. I've been to cat caf...

Honestly really disappointed. I've been to cat cafes all over the world from Paris to Shanghai, Singapore to London, and many throughout the US. I personally have worked with literally thousands of cats over the years as a cat caretaker and employee at Best Friends Animal Society as well as worked with coalition partners around the country. To some up my experience here: this place is unfortunately the worst cat cafe that I have ever visited.

1. The most recent review was posted 2 weeks ago about the medical conditions of the cats. The owner responded saying only 1 cat was sick and was taken to the vet. The reality is that multiple cats have acute upper respiratory infections and ocular (eye) discharge and sensitivity. The sole caretaker working said this was normal and I can tell you from first hand medical experience, that it is NOT normal! If you have cats at home, DO NOT VISIT! While these conditions are not zoonotic and cannot spread to humans, the viral infections can potentially and easily spread to your cats at home! The respiratory and eye issues have contaminated and spread amongst the cat population here and the caretaker didnt even seem phased by the MULTIPLE sick cats that I pointed out. One in particular who was having such a hard time breathing that it resulted in trying to breathe through its mouth intermittently. Also cats were vomiting and again, THAT IS NOT NORMAL. If cats begin vomiting then that is a serious sign of underlying issues! NO they were not just hairballs either. It was actual bile vomit from sick cats. I included snap shots from videos of a couple cats that are sick.

2. They let people in with babies. I have nothing against babies in general but this is so dangerous to both cats and the babies themselves. Unfortunately not all parents watch their kids and even when they do, that doesnt mean they react to obvious issues that the babies are causing. I watched as a baby kept slapping kittens in the face and hitting them with the plastic toy wand then dragging a reusable bag around and dropping it on cats/kittens as the parent helped the baby walk around in a walking harness. Even the parent was grabbing cats and holding onto them, squeezing them, while the cats panicked and tried getting away. Of course the baby isnt cognitive enough to control its motor skills but the parent was right there helping the baby do such things or participating along, all right infront of the sole caretaker who was just sitting at the front desk watching whatever was on her ipad instead of stopping them.

3. They have extremely inappropriate foul-languaged magnets for sale that are shocking considering that children are allowed to play and terrorize cats here. They also have magnets that shame people's political beliefs or make fun of LGBTQ, but this establishment hypocritically supports inclusion? It's seriously unfortunate that they single out a political party when supporters of both sides come to support an establishment, adoptions, and share a love for cats. Actions speak louder than words. Spread love not hate? But then they hate on a specific political party by ordering and selling such paraphernalia. Made me feel even more uncomfortable that I'm supporting such an establishment with my hard earned money.