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In a world filled with stress and fast-paced living, finding solace in the companionship of a furry friend is often the antidote to our hectic lives. If you're considering adding a new member to your family, adopting from a cat cafe is a good option! These cozy establishments combine the joy of sipping your favorite brew with the opportunity to connect with adorable feline friends, making them the ideal place to find your next companion. Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider adopting from a cat cafe.
Create a Stress-Free Environment: Cat cafes are designed to be relaxing havens where patrons can unwind, enjoy a cup of coffee, and immerse themselves in the therapeutic company of cats. The calming presence of these four-legged companions can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels. Studies have shown that interacting with cats can trigger the release of oxytocin, the "feel-good" hormone, promoting a sense of well-being and relaxation. By adopting from a cat cafe, you're not only providing a loving home for a cat but also welcoming a source of comfort into your life. Get to Know Your Future Feline Friend: One of the unique advantages of adopting from a cat cafe is the opportunity to spend quality time with potential companions before making a decision. Unlike traditional shelters, where animals might feel stressed or overwhelmed, cats in cafes are often more relaxed and accustomed to human interaction. This allows you to observe their personalities, quirks, and social behaviors in a natural setting, ensuring a better match between you and your new furry friend. By spending time with a cat before adoption, you're more likely to find the perfect match for your lifestyle and preferences. Support a Worthy Cause: Most cat cafes collaborate with local animal shelters or rescue organizations to provide a home for cats in need. By adopting from a cat cafe, you're contributing to the welfare of these animals and supporting the cafe's mission to find loving homes for them. These establishments often prioritize the well-being of their feline residents, offering veterinary care, proper nutrition, and a safe environment. Your adoption not only enriches your life but also helps sustain the cafe's efforts to provide a haven for more cats in the future. Encourage Responsible Pet Ownership: Cat cafes are dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership. Before adopting, cafe staff typically guide potential adopters through the responsibilities of caring for a cat, including feeding, grooming, and veterinary care. This educational aspect ensures that adopters are well-prepared for the commitment of pet ownership, reducing the likelihood of pets being returned to shelters. Cat cafes often offer valuable resources and advice, fostering a community of responsible and informed pet owners. Experience the Joy of Adoption: Adopting from a cat cafe is not just about bringing a cat into your home; it's about embracing the joy and fulfillment that comes with providing a forever home for a furry friend. The adoption process is often streamlined and supportive, with staff members guiding you through the necessary steps. The satisfaction of knowing you've given a cat a second chance at happiness and love is immeasurable, creating a bond that will bring joy to both you and your new companion for years to come. If you're in search of a new feline friend, consider the unique experience of adopting from a cat cafe. By doing so, you not only enrich your own life but also contribute to the well-being of a cat in need and support a community that values responsible pet ownership. So, grab a cup of coffee, sink into a cozy corner, and let the purring begin as you embark on the heartwarming journey of cat adoption.  Being introduced to a new home can be a tense and scary experience for a cat. Your patience and care are essential during this adjustment period and there are a lot of different ways to make your cat feel at home. That’s why we reached out to experts from Toronto to Dallas to show you how to properly introduce your cat or kitty to a new home.
Patience is key If you're introducing a new cat to a home where a cat already lives, the key to introducing them is patience! Confine the new cat to one room of the house with a litter box, food, water, so your resident cat doesn't feel threatened by the newcomer. They can smell each other under the door and get to know each other without being in each other’s' faces. You can help them associate each others' scents with something good by giving them treats on their side of the door at the same time. - Humane Society of Oldham County Prioritize safety Sweep and maintain areas of the home that could be hazardous to cats, including toxic plants, cleaners, cords, small items that cause choking, fragile items that can shatter, and human food. Ensure that everybody in the human family, of all ages, understands what is safe and unsafe for cats. Be aware of any windows or doors that are frequently opened, and be careful to not let your cat escape. As soon as you move, change the contact information registered to your cat's microchip to reflect your new residence and update their collar tag, in case your kitty goes missing. - Pounce Hawaii Take it slow My best tip for introducing a new cat to your home would be to introduce the cat slowly to the entire home since cats attach to their space tremendously and it can be quite a shock to be placed in a completely new environment. Start with keeping them in one small room for at least a few days until they are more comfortable to start exploring more of the home. I would also highly suggest using some sort of pheromone diffuser (such as Feliway) in this room they are kept in as that can reduce stress. This is what I did with my cat when we moved to Las Vegas from the bay area. - The Comforted Kitty Instead of immediately allowing the kitty to roam free in your new home, select one room in which they can begin to settle in. Any room with a door will suffice, but an office or bedroom with familiar furniture is ideal. Fill the litter box and place it in the room. Put out food and a water bowl on the other side of the room. Moreover, add some toys and a scratcher, so your cat doesn’t get bored. While keeping the room door closed, open their carrier and allow your cat to step out when they are ready. The key is to let your cat acclimate to a small area of the house first, so they can become acquainted with the new smells before venturing further. You can keep your kitty in the room for a few hours or up to a week, depending on how they’re doing. - Cats at Home Pet Sitting Don’t get too fancy Don’t start with anything too fancy in terms of equipment. When I first bought my kitten home I had purchased a kitty litter “house” with a flap and a tray inside. He had no idea what it was and peed on the couch. I quickly moved to a simple litter box. - The Discerning Cat Take their preferences into consideration Did you know that a cat's food and water bowls should be kept separated, preferably in different rooms? As humans, we like to have order and convenience when it comes to setting up our living space. However, it's important to think about your cat's needs and preferences as well. Cats really dislike eating and drinking in the same area, possibly due to genetics telling them that there's a time and place for hunting and likewise for quenching their thirst. Regardless, separating food and water dishes will make your cat happier, as well as prevent some unwanted behaviors- like learning how to turn on the bathroom faucet while you're away! - Carver Scott Humane Society Keep ‘em close by When moving to a new home I like to prepare a room where we all hang out and sleep for a few nights. For us, that is three cats, my husband, and I in one room. I like to prep the room the day before with their favorite cat beds/sleeping spots, toys, their feeders, and a water fountain. After a few days, we will open small sections of the house one day at a time and hang out with them there. If they ever get scared they have that first room as a home base to hide. - Sven and Robbie Set up a kitty “zen den” It's important to create a safe, welcoming environment for your feline family member when settling into a new home. Our team recommends setting up a kitty "zen den" to help them acclimate. This should be an enclosed space that includes their litter box, enrichment activities, food and water, and a cat carrier. We also recommend utilizing Feliway which is a natural, drug-free product that provides "happy messages" through calming pheromones. - Haines Road Animal Hospital Cats are very territorial animals and can be sensitive to changes in their environment, especially if there are other pets involved or if the cat has a more timid personality. It's important to provide a quiet, safe space such as a small bathroom or bedroom where the cat can become accustomed to all of the new sounds and smells of their new home before giving them full reign. In a new territory, it is important to be patient and let the cat gain their confidence to explore on their own while providing a safe space to retreat if they get overwhelmed. Each cat is different and the acclimation period can vary based on the personality of the cat. - Daily Mews Cat Cafe & Boutique Make it familiar Cats are cautious creatures, especially nervous in unfamiliar places. Before moving into your new home, bring some items and furniture that your cat really likes. On arrival, the kitty's new home will feel like the old home is a part of it. The discovery of a new catnip toy or scratcher next to a familiar item will make it easier to accept and soon enjoy this strange new territory. - One Spoiled Kitty When petting your new cat, place a sock on your hand to collect the pheromones from the side of its face and then rub the sock on the legs of the furniture, other objects in the house and even yourself and other family members. Your cat will feel more at ease and adjust quickly if its new territory smells like itself. - Raising Your Paws If you have other cats For now, have the new cat in the room for a week or two, so both the new and old fur family members are able to adjust. After three days, start switching the cats’ beddings so they get to know each other through sniffing the scent leftover on the bed. Later on, set a time for the new cat to explore outside their room while keeping your other cats in another room. Two weeks passed, you can try introducing them to each other, if there is aggression, separate them for another week and continue with swap scenting until both are comfortable with each other's presence. As for dogs, the approach is slightly different, however, the same. Keep them in a separate room, rub each hand towel on your dog and your new cat, switch the towels, and give them time to sniff it. - Art Your Cat Originally published on Redfin Job Opening – Feline Care Coordinator
Job Description: The Feline Care Coordinator is responsible for five core areas of operations: 1. Feline care and safety which encompasses feeding and water, extensive cleaning, select cat medical care tasks (nail clipping, medication administration) and other checklist items 2. Facility cleaning including daily and intra-day litter and accident cleaning, laundry, sweeping, equipment maintenance, dishwashing, and other deep clean activities as detailed on checklists 3. Boarding management via customer intake/outtake, care of felines in boarding, cleaning of boarding units between visitors, and detailed boarding record keeping 4. Support of feline adoptions via application intake/review/processing and associated record keeping maintenance 5. Manage elements of rescue partner coordination, including assessing cat health and taking all necessary quarantine steps if required, with the help of other team members. This person will also have cleaning responsibilities and maintenance of the cat care room, cat lounge, retail area, café, and restrooms. Adherence to COVID-19 enhanced cleaning and check-in procedures (detailed below in Appendix A) now in effect or as later amended, is also required. Personal Qualities: We are seeking a positive, proactive, self-starter individual with a passion for animal welfare and someone who is comfortable interacting with the public. She/he/they should be highly responsible, personable, dependable, and trustworthy. Specific attributes include: Positive attitude Excellent verbal and written skills including across the team and with managers and owners required The ability to take direction from General Manager or owners and follow through The desire to work as a team member Reports all customer complaints to the General Manager The ability to communicate effectively with other employees, business partners, and vendors is required Responds proactively to prevent customer service issues, and is solution based, not problem focused Qualifications / Experience Required: Minimum 18 months to 2 years or more of customer facing experience in a public facing role such as a restaurant, retail store, hotel, or other customer service work. Willingness to adhere to various business policies required. Prior work or volunteer experience with a veterinarian hospital, feline rescue or cat café operation is highly preferred. Ability to adhere to detailed cleaning procedures, manage daily checklists, open/close a business facility alone, and provide daily reports on cat care and cat welfare The Feline Care Coordinator will need to be very observant of the physical well-being of the foster and boarded cats and able to assess the cats’ health and take appropriate actions as needed including moving cats to quarantine and contacting rescue partners for pickup Comfort with administering various medications orally, topical flea medications, trimming cat’s nails, and recording such Experience That Would Be A Plus: Any formal veterinarian tech training or related certification or job experience would be a plus. Physical Requirements: The Feline Care Coordinator must be willing and able to handle the physical requirements of cat care and managing the public, including standing/walking for periods of time up to 8 hours, moving efficiently through the cat lounge, and cat care support areas. This employee will have cleaning responsibilities including sweeping, wiping spills off surfaces, sterilizing surfaces, keeping bathrooms tidy and trash removal. Restocking basic supplies during a shift if needed. This employee should be able to lift and move up to 30 pounds (examples: light furniture, trash removal, cats inside cat carriers). We do A LOT OF CLEANING at Daily Mews, and if you are not open to regular cleaning, this may not be the best job for you. Other requirements include: Deep-cleaning the facility regularly which is physically demanding work Heavy daily cleaning responsibilities including: litter box care, feeding cats, washing cat bowls, soaking and washing litter boxes and walk-off mats, laundering cat beds and cat sleeping, materials, sweeping, mopping, trash removal, and other physical work Proper measurement and mixing of cleaning products Boarding cat intake and out-take and boarded cat care Ordering, receiving, moving, and lifting cat care room supplies This employee must also be able to lift up to 30 pounds (examples: litter boxes, cat food bags, linen boxes, trash removal, and cats in cat carriers) Lifting more than 30 pounds should be done with two team members and also make use of a two wheeled hand dolly when practical to the item being moved Wide range of motion including using step ladders and cleaning high shelves Technical Items: Available to work at least 5-20 hours or more during planned business hours which includes weekends. Business hours are Thurs/Friday/Sat/Sun 11am-5pm. Shifts supporting boarding and adoption activities can be scheduled outside of normal business hours. Hourly pay starting between $10-$12 plus regular opportunities for quarterly raises and bonuses. To apply, please email a resume to [email protected]  Through the end of this year, we will be taking $25 off all adoption fees. This discount has been sponsored by the good folks at Dr. Elsey’s through their Power of Purrsuasion program. Power of Purrsuasion is all about getting cats into the good homes they deserve – obviously a mission that is near and dear to our hearts! Dr. Elsey’s has chosen select cat cafes around the country for this special program, and we are so grateful for their generous support. Adopters will receive a complimentary Adoption Starter Kit full of items from Dr. Elsey’s line of products as well as campaign partners while supplies last. Additionally, adopters will receive educational resources to help ease the transition with their new pets. If you’ve been considering adopting a cat, there’s never been a better time!
As an animal rescue-based business, our passion for the health and well-being of the cats in our care is at the center of everything we do. That mission comes before everything else, including profits. While the decision to temporarily suspend the café operations was not a fun one to make, it was the right decision.
We intake cats coming out of the community from a number of different circumstances and backgrounds. Our health screening process is rigorous, nevertheless, some cat medical problems can be very tricky and not always immediately obvious. Our dedicated staff is vigilant in monitoring each cat’s health while they’re in our care. It was this vigilance and attention to detail that led us to observe some small patches of hair loss on a cat that had recently arrived. We immediately brought the cat to the vet, where testing was done. While the vet thought symptoms looked consistent with a topical infection, no certain diagnosis could be made. Testing for a fungal infection came back negative, yet the concerning symptoms remained. Nevertheless, out of caution we began preventative measures to mitigate the communicable spread of a skin-related health concern among our cats. Our protocol is to remove any cats exhibiting symptoms from the colony for observation, and they must be cleared by a vet before they will be allowed to re-enter the lounge and interact with customers. It also bears mentioning that at no time have any boarded cats interacted with our colony cats. At this time, it is still unknown what exactly we are dealing with, although we know that it isn’t life-threatening. We consider the risk of any sort of transmission to our guests and their household to be very low. Without positive test results, we can only make educated guesses, follow the advice of veterinary professionals, and proceed on the most cautious path possible. It is for this reason that we will remain temporarily closed while we care for and monitor the cats’ health. Thank you for reading this long post. We promise to keep you informed as we learn more, and hope that we can count on your patience and support during this challenging time. |