in cat cafe? - What does that mean? Can I bring my cat there? Rilana Rentsch, operator of the Katzentempel Hamburg, and her team often hear this. The idea originally comes from Japan, but has long since found many fans in Europe and, since July 2017, also in Hamburg.
Six velvet paws are kept busy all day long by the cat-loving guests. Anyone who comes here not only appreciates the good vegan cuisine, but also enjoys the company of the cats, which sometimes run across the table. You definitely won't get bored. If it gets too much for the cats, they can always retreat to their own room or simply climb up a few levels and look down on the guests.
In Café Katzentempel there are 5 cats from Ireland from the “Irish Farm of Hope”, the animal rescue center that my mother runs there. Why this? When Rilana Rentsch decided to found the first cat café in Hamburg, the biggest challenge was finding suitable cats. None of the animal shelters she requested could offer her a group of cats that were used to each other, very friendly and sociable. I then heard about your plight via a social network and immediately had the idea of suggesting our Irish cats.
Cats that have already grown up together in a home environment are best suited, and my mother was looking for a new home for exactly such a group. This was THE solution for both sides: the homeless cats got a new home and the cat temple became its main attraction: since the café opened in July 2017, the animals have settled in splendidly and are enjoying the attention of the guests. Mellow, Serena Liffey and Neumann were thus Founding members of the Hamburg Cat Temple, so to speak. Keshia from Greece has now joined us.
Kristiane is happy that her protégés were able to stay together and that they can now delight the visitors to the café with their feline personality.
They met all requirements, are house trained and, above all, gentle. And don't forget: they're not afraid of vacuuming! The owners of the café put a lot of effort into ensuring that everything continues to run smoothly: the cats have great places to retreat and play in the café. There is a quiet area where the cats can retreat when things get too much for them and visitors can only watch them but not touch them. The menu contains rules of etiquette to convey clear do's and don'ts to guests who are not very familiar with animals and are unsure. Even when it is busy, every guest who enters the café is asked if they have been there before in order to explain the special features of the café if it is their first time visiting.
Cats don't stop at tables, worktops or kitchen counters, which is why the bar area is completely closed off with glass panes. This keeps cakes or prepared dishes safe from curious cats.
A veterinarian friend of mine regularly comes to the café to provide the animals with health care. New business ideas have also emerged, such as offering a first aid course for cats or a cat nutrition course. The Irish cat lady Avy in particular has fun and likes to take part as a demonstration object.