What to Expect from Australia’s First Cat Cafe

Melbourne's Cat Cafe is opening this Wednesday, and already they've had more than a few drop-ins looking to get a sneak peak at the feline residents. Since pasting the Cat Cafe logo on the windows — with the words 'COMING SOON' printed clearly beneath — the reception staff have been inundated with locals, visitors from interstate and international travellers asking to see the furry creatures. They've all been turned away, so we feel pretty chuffed to waltz on in.

We've already become acquainted with a few of the furry companions via Facebook, but it's more than time to meet them in person and have a chat with the owner Anita Loughran about getting this highly anticipated project off the ground.

We make our way upstairs to where the kitties live and when I enter the room, they're all either fast asleep or are in absolutely no rush to greet me. Typical. Three are comfortably reclining on a fluffy white mat, one hiding in a massive climbing frame, another snuggled in a soft tunnel and another settled in its own cushiony bed. I count six, but I'm told there is at least three to five other sneaky felines hiding in here somewhere. I nervously sit on a couch in fear of accidentally squashing one and being forever banned from the establishment.

Five of the cats are from the Geelong Animal Welfare Society, seven are from the Lost Dogs Home. Getting a cat from a rescue shelter is ideal for this sort of project. "You actually get to know what their personality is before you take them home," says Anita. "When you get a cat from a pet shop at a very young age, they haven’t yet developed that personality."

The venue will be able to hold up to 15 people per hour. Anita recommends booking online for the first little while to guarantee a visit, but walk-ins are possible. "We really want to provide a relaxing environment that people can de-stress, it helps with high anxiety and depression," says Anita. "I think that’s really important to have a space like that, especially in the CBD. It’s also a great social atmosphere, it just gives you a different environment to socialise with your friends."

The cats don't flinch when I walk over to pat them, but as tempting as it may be to give one a cuddle, the cats cannot be picked up without permission. If one happens to wander over and plonks itself on your lap that's a bonus, but there’s no hope of that happening today. I do feel unexpectedly calmer than when I first walked in, and I can certainly see this place being packed out with people looking for a little break outside of work deadlines and overdue university assignments.

In short, the Cat Cafe is pretty well adorable and we'll most likely be dropping around more often than a nosy neighbour. It is certainly worth a look even if you're a self-professed dog lover, as it really is a concept that stands alone in the notoriously competitive Melbourne cafe scene. If it works for New York City, why not give Aussie cats a chance?

Opening Wednesday, July 30, Cat Cafe can be found at 375 Queen Street, Melbourne.