Cat cafés have been popping up across America, offering a unique pit stop for RVers seeking relaxation, companionship, and maybe even a furry travel buddy to adopt.
Origin of the phenomenon
The very first cat café opened in Taipei, Taiwan, back in 1998. The idea behind the concept was to combine the warm atmosphere of a coffee shop with adoptable cats roaming freely among patrons. Japan quickly embraced the idea, leading to a boom of “neko cafés” by the mid-2000s.
In the United States, the first permanent cat café was Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, California. It opened on October 25, 2014, combining a café space with a “cat zone” that housed rescue cats available for adoption.
Shortly after the California café opened, Meow Parlour on Manhattan’s Lower East Side debuted on December 15, 2014. Meow Parlour invited visitors to book online and enjoy up to five hours with cats provided by local shelters.
According to That Cat Life, there are more than 280 cat cafes in 47 states across the U.S. Florida has the most cat cafes, with 25 across the state.
Benefits of visiting a cat café
Proponents of the cat café idea are convinced that interacting with cats can lower cortisol levels and ease anxiety. (This could be just what you need after a long day of driving.)
Many cat cafés host events like “yoga with cats” or adoption socials. This allows visitors to mingle and meet new people and enjoy a common interest all at the same time. (A cat café may be a good way for RVers to get acquainted with the locals. Ask them about the best eateries, activities, etc.)
If you’re pet-free on the road but crave animal companionship, a cat café lets you enjoy all the benefits without the long-term care responsibilities.
Most cat cafés offer free Wi-Fi, light snacks, and a comfortable indoor space. (Perfect for rainy rest days or catching up on work.)
What to expect at a cat café
Reservations and fees. Most (but not all) cat cafés require advance booking online. Fees typically range from $10 to $20 per hour. The booking sometimes includes a beverage or snack.
House rules for feline comfort. Visitors are often asked not to pick up the cats. You must sanitize your hands before and after entering the cat area. In order to keep the kitties calm, loud noises and flash photography are usually not allowed.
(Note: Each cat café’s rules differ.)
Adoption opportunities
Many cafés partner with rescue organizations. So, be prepared! You might leave not just happier, but with a new co-pilot for your RV adventures.
Finding a cat café
No matter where you RV, there’s probably a cat café close by.
To locate the nearest cat café, check out That Cat Life’s comprehensive directory. All you do is enter your current city, state, or zip code to find nearby cat cafés. Information details, complete with hours, pricing, and booking links, are noted on the site.
Have you ever visited a cat café? Would you visit if given the opportunity? Tell us how you feel about the cat café concept by using the comments below.
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RVT1222
Cat cafe’s are pretty pricey and few are open for spur of the moment visits. I have taken my school age grandson to a few while international traveling. The ones we have been too are in home like settings and very clean and really just offer non alcoholic drinks. I was surprised in that we never emerged covered in cat hair. Also a good place to connect with locals who are more than happy to share their knowledge of the area. I never saw any signs which said the cats were available for adoption but never considered this either. I would think a better idea would be to just visit a local animal shelter, give a $20 donation and pet the cats and kittens.
Like one of the suggestions we put the litterbox in the shower and cover the drain with a drain cover. There is a broom and dust pan in the bathroom and the shower pan is swept after removing the cat box for a shower and a seperate towel is hanging on a hook to dry the shower pan before replacing the cat box. I installed a cat door in the bathroom door so the cat has access all the time. Our cat likes to ride in the trailer when it is not to hot.The key is to keep a clean litter box.
Thank you for the information, Gail! This is quite helpful in that I would have expected many more food offerings in a cafe than merely snacks. Ones reaction to something has much to do with ones initial expectation for that thing. Thus, reasonable expectations tend to prevent over- reactions to things or situations. Have a great week and safe travels!