I was fuming when I first heard about this. I instantly thought how unfair it would be to Finnegan’s Whiskers and the other cafes that are getting it so right. I was also upset that there was a possibility that a place I frequent when I am struggling would be gone.
I wholeheartedly agree with there being regulations in place, but to phase out all cat cafes throughout the UK is unfair to those who are running their café above and beyond. The ones that are doing it right are in fear of losing their small business, in a time that it is already difficult for them.
Reason 1 Why Cat Cafes Should NOT Be Phased Out.
They are not all the same!
Just like anything, no two things are the same! It is unfair to treat all cat café like they are operated the same and are failing the cats.
Finnegan’s Whiskers is the perfect example of how a cat café should be run. Shelley runs the café based on the welfare of the cats, she has adjusted her business accordingly even if it affected the bottom line. Cats are only kept in the café if they are happy to be there.
The strict practices that Shelley has in place ensure the cats are never doing anything they don’t want to do. (unless they are trying to steal cake…like Sinbad is known for). I have visited many times and the cats happily come and sit on your lap. Some days they would rather snuggle up beside you.
She is also getting it right by only allowing children 8 years and above to attend the café, this helps keep the café calm and relaxing for all. My son is under 8 and I am not disappointed by this. There is also a maximum number of people per session, which means it is not overwhelming to the cats.
She has high standards of cleanliness and everyone who enters the café must use the antibacterial gel provided. She cleans between sessions and given that there are multiple cats, it never smells like cat litter (I have a sensitive nose).
The cats at Finnegan’s Whiskers are so chilled and well looked after!!! It is easy to see how healthy they are and want for nothing. Each cat that lives at the café is cared for as if they are the beloved family pet.
Shelley says it way better than I ever could, she wrote a great post HERE and she was interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk this week and you can listen to her interview here.
PART ONE
PART TWO
Reason 2 Why Cat Cafes Should NOT Be Phased Out.
It is a place of respite from mental health issues. A chance to be in a calming environment.
I can talk about the positive impact cats have on mental health all day long. At my lowest we had cats, I am not sure I would be here if it wasn’t for our Leo, he got us through some very dark times. Unfortunately, due to my son’s severe allergies we now will not have cats while he is still living at home.
Finnegan’s has become part of my mental health healing journey. On days when my anxiety is bad, it is one of my tools to help me cope. I can feel my body regulate and the anxiety I was feeling ease. The effects of spending just an hour in the café can last me weeks.
In fact, Monday I was having a particularly bad day with my anxiety and so I booked in to work from Finnegan’s for a couple of hours. That helped me get through the week.
I know other people that visit the café share the same feelings as me, it is somewhere for them to enjoy the calming effects of cats, even more so if they are unable to have pets anymore, whether due to age, health or affordability.
Which brings me to reason 3…because Sinbad says so!
Reason 3 Why Cat Cafes Should NOT Be Phased Out.
Finnegan’s is becoming a place in the community that battles loneliness. Unlike any other type of café I have been to everyone is happy to speak to everyone, people smile and share stories about their pets, or pets they may have had.
Many of the events hosted by Shelley are focused on well-being. I host the embroidery workshop and it is becoming an event that people can come to on their own have enjoyable conversations and come away feeling connected.
When I have gone to the café and there have been people with various degrees of special needs visiting, it warms my heart to see the smiles on their faces. The way they light up around the cats. My youngest has autism, he is only interested in numbers, but if he loved animals, it would break my heart to lose a facility like the cat café.
So, what should happen now?
Representatives of the RSPCA and Cats Protection should visit the cafés that are getting it right, like Finnegan’s Whiskers.
I am not saying all cat cafes are great, there are some out there who are getting it wrong, and there is reason to be concerned for the welfare of the cats. If you visit a cat cafe and have concerns over the welfare of the cats, then please raise it with the local authority and they will investigate. If they don’t know, they can’t do anything about it.
We need to rally and support these businesses that are getting it right; it is hard enough to run your business without negative stories circulating in the press. Support them online, speak up for these businesses.
