FAQ cat café
Questions about your visit to the café
The idea comes from Japan. People often live in large apartment buildings where no animals are allowed. That's why someone had the idea to open a café where cats roam around. This way, you don't have to secretly bring an animal into your home, and you can still enjoy cuddles and some playtime with a cat. You “rent” time with a cat, so to speak.
We were inspired by that idea, but found a purely commercial approach to be lacking. There are many cats that wait in shelters for a new home each year; by giving some of them a spot in our café, they have a better chance of finding a new home.
All the cats in the café can be adopted. But that is not necessary, of course. Do you just want to come and have a coffee? That’s possible! This way, you directly support the non-profits we work with. Additionally, we find it especially important to highlight adoption in a positive way. You can take your time to get to know a cat and see if it fits you.
Do you have questions, a problem, or need advice? Feel free to drop by. We will try to help you as much as possible.
To protect the health of our cats, no other animals are allowed in the café. Are you looking for a new home for a cat or have you found a cat? Then please contact get in touch with us and we are happy to refer you.
Technically, you don't have to make a reservation, but we strongly recommend it. It guarantees that you can enter at the time that suits you best. If there is still a spot available, you are of course more than welcome. Please take into account that the spots are limited.
We have room for a maximum of 18 people. We try to limit this so that the atmosphere remains calm and the cats are easier to see.
Children are definitely welcome in the café, but we strongly ask parents to prepare them well for the visit. Be sure to discuss our house rules. Also explain to them that our cats are not social house cats and usually (still) cannot be petted. This way we avoid disappointment.
For the very little ones, we ask to keep it as quiet as possible, so that the chance is greater that the cats will show themselves. If the little ones start crying, we ask to go to the store area for a moment. Thank you very much for your understanding!
Cats sleep an average of 16 hours a day. The chance is therefore high that they are lying asleep. In the morning or just before closing time, they are the most active. So those are the best times to plan a visit!
No, sorry. While we certainly love all cats, we primarily want to protect the health of our cats. Your cat may be perfectly healthy, but since it comes from a different environment, it is still possible to transmit diseases. All cats in our café have undergone a quarantine period to rule out diseases and have been thoroughly examined by our veterinarian. Other animals are also not allowed.
Our kitchen is completely separated from the cats. All drinks and food are prepared in extremely hygienic conditions according to the guidelines of the Federal Agency for Food Safety.
The litter boxes are located in a separate area that is not accessible to the public. So you will absolutely not be disturbed by that.
Furthermore, we have various procedures that are applied daily to keep everything nice and clean, so that both you and our cats have a fantastic experience. By the way, did you know that cats are particularly hygienic creatures?
Currently, we have a good team of motivated volunteers. Sometimes someone drops out and we look for new people. If you have a few hours free per week or every two weeks for a minimum period of 6 months, we are definitely open to your enthusiasm.
Be sure to check this page for more info on how to become a volunteer. Thank you in advance for your help!
Questions about the cats in the café
All our animals come from the Animal Shelter Ghent, Kat Zoekt Thuis or Catpower. We prioritize animals that have been in the shelter for a longer time, usually because they are still fearful of people. We try to socialize these cats to increase their chances of finding their dream home.
If you are looking for a new cat, be sure to check the website of the Animal Shelter Ghent, Kat Zoekt Thuis or Catpower. You can also find many cats for adoption on the government’s website www.adopteereendier.be.
Yes, they live here until they find a new home. They are not put in a cage and can roam freely both during the day and at night.
Take a look at our adoption page for more info about the adoption procedure.
When you are looking for a friend for your cat, it is important to first determine what character your cat has. It is best to look for a friend who is about the same age and has a similar living situation . When you have found a new friend, do not immediately place him or her with your cat. It is important to introduce both in a gradual manner.introduceren together. Read here our blog post about how to best approach such an introduction.
Cats that still need to be socialized towards people often seek support from other cats. This can lead to a close bond. Cats that form a social group are never separated by us. That’s why they are adopted as a pair. Some cats already form a pair when they arrive at our café. Other cats get to know each other better in the café, forming a new social group.
No, we never have kittens because we mainly take in cats that have already been in the shelter for a longer time. Our focus is on adult cats that are harder to place from the shelter because they are not yet social towards people. Are you still looking for a kitten? Please take into account that kittens are only born in a certain season. We would be happy to refer you to Kat Zoekt Thuis, Animal Shelter Ghent and Catpower.
No. We do not have a quarantine space ourselves and therefore cannot take in animals. When you can no longer care for your cat, it is best to find a new home for your cat. First, check in your own environment if someone is willing to take your cat in. If you cannot find a new home, you can go to the Animal Shelter Ghent or local rescue organizations.
It is indeed true that not all cats feel at home with us or feel immediately comfortable. The choice of the cats that come to live with us is always in consultation with the shelter from where they come. The cat first stays in a separate space and we introduce them gradually to the other cats. If problems arise even after this slow introduction, we discuss this with a cat behavior therapist.
Is your question not listed? Please contact us.