A West Norfolk cat café has responded to calls from two animal charities to phase out cat cafés, following a national increase in the number of these establishments.
Purrr Café, located on Purfleet Street in King’s Lynn, has assured its customers through social media that the welfare of its cats remains the top priority, and all the cats are well cared for. Owners Kelly and Jack Whitmore addressed concerns raised after both the RSPCA and Cats Protection publicly stated their opposition to cat cafés.
Purrr Café, which opened in late 2023, is thought to be the first cat café in West Norfolk. However, the RSPCA and Cats Protection have expressed their concerns, claiming that it is “almost impossible” to meet the welfare needs of cats in such an environment.
Alice Potter, a cat welfare expert with the RSPCA, commented: “While we understand the appeal of cat cafés, we’re concerned that these environments can’t consistently provide cats with a good quality of life. We’re worried that many cats may be unhappy as a result.”
In response, Kelly and Jack Whitmore posted a statement on Facebook addressing the national debate. They clarified that the cats at Purrr Café do not live on-site and are “loving family pets first,” which they said is a key distinction. They reassured the public that their café adheres to strict welfare guidelines and works closely with West Norfolk Council’s licensing department.
The couple outlined their practices, which include strict checks on the cats every hour to monitor their health and happiness. “Any stressed or unhappy cat is always removed and taken to a safe space with no public access,” they said, emphasizing that the welfare of the cats is their top priority.
The Whitmores explained that all of the café’s cats are pedigree and have been raised by the family, surrounded by children and other pets. They also use an enrichment program to keep the cats’ instincts stimulated, with features such as high areas and hidden holes for the cats to explore. The cats also have access to outdoor, cat-friendly enclosures equipped with cat trees.
Purrr Café employs a double-door system to protect the cats’ safety and has CCTV in place.
Recent data from an FOI request revealed that there are now 30 licensed cat cafés in England, with a 44% increase in the number of licenses granted in the past financial year. Despite the growing popularity, Alice Potter from the RSPCA continues to express concerns about the impact of such cafés on cats’ well-being.
“Having descended from solitary, territorial, roaming wildcats, cats are likely to find the enforced proximity to other cats, as well as unfamiliar visitors, extremely stressful,” Potter said. She warned that sharing an enclosed space with other unrelated cats can lead to aggression and behavioral problems.
The RSPCA and Cats Protection are urging local authorities to stop issuing new exhibition licenses for cat cafés and to reconsider renewing existing ones. Potter added: “Cats in cat cafés are essentially being used for entertainment, and we’re concerned that they’re paying the price for this with a poor quality of life.”
The debate continues as both sides argue for the best interests of the cats involved.
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