The battle lines are drawn in the world of cat cafes as welfare organizations call for their closure while business owners fight back with proposals for better regulation instead. Sarah Price, who runs The Cat House in Norwich, believes the RSPCA should work collaboratively with cat cafes rather than advocating to “phase them out” of existence.
Welfare Organizations Express Serious Concerns
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The RSPCA has taken a firm stance on cat cafes, calling for them to be “phased out” rather than expanded. Their position stems from fundamental questions about whether cats are suited to life in bustling cafe environments.
“We do understand the appeal of cat cafes,” explains Alice Potter from the RSPCA. “However, while having a coffee and hanging out with cats may be a happy combination for people, we are concerned that for the cats living there 24/7 it’s a different story.”
The organization’s primary concern centers on whether these spaces can truly meet the complex needs of cats, which naturally prefer quiet, predictable environments with ample opportunity for alone time and territorial behavior.
“We fundamentally don’t think cats are built to live in a cafe environment,” Potter continues. “It is almost impossible to meet their welfare needs in a restrictive environment.”
The RSPCA also notes that while some cat cafes participate in rehoming efforts, they believe traditional foster homes and rescue centers provide better transitions for cats in need.
Cat Lounge Owners Defend Their Approach
Sarah Price, who has operated The Cat House in Norwich for nearly two years, strongly disagrees with calls for closure. Instead, she advocates for proper regulation and monitoring of cat cafes to ensure high welfare standards.
“The main difference between us and a lot of cafes is we are not a cafe. We don’t ever call ourselves that. We are a cat lounge and we set ourselves up with cats purely in mind to start with and then we added the coffee bar,” Price explains.
She emphasizes that proper preparation and education are essential for anyone operating such a business. Before receiving her license, Price completed a Level 3 feline care course, demonstrating her commitment to understanding cat behavior and welfare.
“We see that cats are relaxed and happy all the time, and if not we take instant action,” she says. “I am truly for the cat before the people. It has to be that way.”
At The Cat House, customers must follow specific house rules designed to protect the cats’ wellbeing. The establishment also carefully selects which cats are suitable for the environment, avoiding those accustomed to outdoor roaming who might find the indoor setting restrictive.
Finding Middle Ground Through Regulation
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The current regulatory landscape for cat cafes appears inconsistent. While the RSPCA identified 32 licensed cat cafes in England, they believe many more operate without proper oversight since licensing is not mandatory nationwide.
This regulatory gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Rather than calling for complete closure, Price suggests that welfare organizations work with cat cafe owners to develop comprehensive guidelines.
“The RSPCA should be working with cat cafe owners to draw up a code of practice rather than trying to shut them down,” she argues.
Balancing Human Experience With Cat Welfare
The fundamental question at the heart of this debate is whether cats’ needs can be reconciled with the business model of a cat cafe. While the RSPCA believes this is “almost impossible,” cafe owners like Price insist it can be done with the right approach.
Customers who visit cat cafes often do so because they cannot have pets of their own due to rental restrictions, allergies of family members, or other circumstances. These venues provide important human-animal interaction opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
However, all parties agree that the cats’ welfare must remain paramount. The challenge lies in determining whether proper regulation can create environments where cats genuinely thrive rather than merely tolerate their surroundings.
