OPENING ALERT: North America's First Cat Café Opens This Saturday in Montreal

[Catty1]

North America's inaugural cat café will open this Saturday in Montreal. Le Café des Chats was just one in a litter of non-pop-up, feline-themed coffeeshops jockeying to be the first to welcome customers on the continent. Others will open soon in the likes of San Diego, Portland, Seattle, New York and, indeed, Montreal.
For now, however, Le Café des Chats stands alone. Management writes that the café "is based on a very popular concept in Japan that has been developing for years in major European cities such as Paris, London, Vienna and Budapest."
Some more crucial info, adapted and translated from the café's Facebook page:

The pioneer behind the project is Youssef Labib. Labib, 32, holds a Master's degree in Marketing and Strategic Management from ESLSCA Paris. When he discovered cat cafés in Asia and Europe he decided to chart a new career path. A big lover of cats and coffee, Labib was later joined by Nadine Spencer and other stakeholders. The café will start with a dozen cats adopted from animal welfare groups. They will have regular veterinary care and will be insured, microchipped, vaccinated and neutered. The cats will wander at will and interact with various toys and structures.
The resident cats will access a separate litter box area via a pet door. Alcohol-based gel will be available to customers at the entrance. A practical guide will explain appropriate conduct (no sudden, loud noises, no flash photography, and so on).

On the menu at Le Café des Chats: pastries, cookies, teas, coffees and fair trade and organic items. Hours are Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Spencer reports that for the opening this Saturday "a bunch of fun stuff will be going on between noon and 6:00 p.m."
Oh and take note: the café will not accept outside animals on the premises.
· Le Café des Chats [Official Page]
· All Opening Alerts [-EMTL-]

[mon]

Strange.

[catmandu]

I wish I had Cat Sitters so I could visit.

[phesina]

Wish I was closer to Montreal!

[momcat]

Wish I was closer to Montreal!

Tell you what Pat, jump on the next Amtrack to Trenton. I'll meet you at the train station with our tickets to Montreal. I cannot wait to get there!

[phesina]

Will do, Eileen! Can the cats join me?

[momcat]

Will do, Eileen! Can the cats join me?

You bet! There's no way in the world Amigo would allow me to go without him, he already has his favorite toys packed and ready to go. Our kitties can keep each other company while we settle back and relax on the way to Montreal..

[phesina]

Sounds great!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Darn.....! We were in Montreal summer 2013.....
I wish that café opened then!!

[cassiesmom]

Wish I was closer to Montreal!

I'll get on the train in Chicago, meet you in Michigan and we will continue on to Trenton!

[phesina]

I'll get on the train in Chicago, meet you in Michigan and we will continue on to Trenton!

Oooooh, what a great trip! Can't wait!!!

[cassiesmom]

From answers.com - Five cat cafés you will want to visit

Cat cafés first started popping up in Japan. In a country where many apartment buildings don't allow cats, these cafés became very popular as a way for Japanese cat lovers to get their kitty fix in a relaxing environment.

Cat cafés are a win not just for cat lovers, but also for the cats who reside in these establishments. Living at the café allows the cats, who usually come from shelters, to live in a cage-free environment with plenty of human attention and interaction. Most cat cafés have rules for visitors that include not disturbing the cats while they're sleeping, no rough handling by visiting children, no flash photography, and no feeding.

Cat cafés opened around the world in the last few years. Russia, Austria, Korea, France and many others all boast their own cat cafés. Intrigued? These five cat cafés are worth visiting.


Kaffee Katzentempel, Munich, Germany

Munich's Cafe Katzentempel, which translates to "temple of cats," was the first cat café to open in Germany. This beautifully designed café offers a large variety of coffee and tea drinks and vegan fare ranging from breakfast dishes to light lunches to desserts.


Café Neko, Vienna, Austria

Five rescue cats welcome visitors to this Austrian coffeehouse, which serves homemade cakes and pastries, Japanese tea, and juices from local farms. Hidden on a small street in the center of Vienna, this oasis of quiet is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.



Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, London, England

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is set to open later this year. This café will offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy a British tea while relaxing in a setting designed to meet the emotional and physical needs of its feline residents.


St. Petersburg Cat Republic, St. Petersburg, Russia

Before entering the Cat Republic, guests are asked to " apply for a visa," although no one gets turned down. Guests are asked to observe simple rules when interacting with the cats, such as washing their hands before touching the cats. The main rule is to never force the cats to interact with visitors, because the citizens of the republic are free cats.

Calico Cat Café, Tokyo, Japan

Japan boasts the largest number of cat cafés of any country in the world. Café Calico is so popular that reservations are recommended on weekends. Visitors are provided with an ID card and a set of rules. The café is host to young couples on dates, older married couples making an afternoon of it and young women in ones and twos, all present to enjoy the company of the resident cats.


Later this year, the first cat cafés in North America are scheduled to open: Café Chat L'Heureux will welcome visitors in Montreal, Canada, and Kit Tea will provide a feline haven in San Francisco.