194 Chapter 12● There should be a limit on the number of children permitted at each session. All
children must be fully supervised by a responsible adult.
● On arrival customers should be informed of house rules, which should also be
supplied in writing or posted in clear sight, regarding their interactions with the
cats. These should include:
● Leave the cats alone if they are sleeping, hiding or in certain areas of the café.
● Do not attempt to pick the cats up.
● Do not prevent the cats from going where they want to.
● Allow the cats to come to you, rather than going to them.
● Do not make loud or sudden noises.
● Do not encourage the cats to play with fingers, etc. but use the toys supplied.
● Instructions can also be supplied on how best to approach and stroke the cats
(see Appendix 17).
An Alternative Idea
A more cat-friendly idea could be a cat-themed café, pub or other establishment that
does not have cats on the premises. The café could be a centre for entertaining enlight-
enment in the form of fascinating facts and tips on cat care, history and behaviour
printed on menus, coasters, posters, etc. and could even be used as a centre for talks
and more in-depth education events.
If run in association with a local rescue shelter or rehoming centre, the café could
also be used to publicize the work of the shelter and help boost rehoming figures by
providing information, including pictures and possibly video footage of cats requiring
homes. The need for volunteers and fosterers, what is involved and how to apply
could also be advertised.
References
Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2013) Are Britain’s cats ready for cat cafés? Veterinary Record 173,
554–555.
Gourkow, N. (2016a) Causes of stress and distress for cats in homing centres. In: Ellis, S.
and Sparkes, A. (eds) ISFM Guide to Feline Stress and Health. Managing Negative
Emotions to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing. International Cat Care, Tisbury,
Wiltshire, UK, pp. 82–87.
Gourkow, N. (2016b) Prevention and management of stress and distress for cats in homing
centres. In: Ellis, S. and Sparkes, A. (eds) ISFM Guide to Feline Stress and Health.
Managing Negative Emotions to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing. International Cat
Care, Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK, pp. 90–102.
Gourkow, N., LaVoy, A., Dean, G.A. and Phillips, C.J.C. (2014) Associations of behaviour with
secretory immunoglobulin A and cortisol in domestic cats during their first week in an
animal shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 150, 55–64.
Halls, V. (2017) The super fosterer – how fostering cats can benefit their wellbeing.
Proceedings of the iCatCare Feline Day 2017, Birmingham, UK.
Plourde, L. (2014) Cat cafés, affective labor, and the healing boom in Japan. Japanese Studies
34, 115–133.