Warm and fuzzy feelings at the cat cafe

It was a hot and bright afternoon until a sudden downpour turned everything gray. Everything outside, that is. Inside the cat cafe, it was all fluffy purple bathed in warm yellow light. Fresh from a wake, we were in need of a place to go before returning home, and we figured it was as good a time as any to see what all the fuss was about. We had heard about cat cafes in Manila, and while we're not exactly cat people, we were curious.

 

Cat Cafe Manila is at the end of a corridor on the second floor of a building of shops, mostly selling food. Like its neighbors, the cafe offers food, but the main attraction is the company of its felines, a motley clowder of rescued cats in search of permanent homes. 

 

The puspins aren't exactly scintillating company—on the contrary, they can be quite snobbish. While some of the cats were willing to entertain (or, more accurately, be entertained) by the human visitors, there were a few who simply could not be bothered. One cat in particular didn't even move from its spot in the entire hour that we were there. We didn't get to see its name, as its collar was tucked between layers of striped orange fur.

 

Humans accustomed to cats would probably be at ease in the cat cafe, but for the clueless, the house rules are posted at the entrance. The cutely illustrated guide teaches guests not to pull the tails, and to disinfect hands before entering. The cafe is a "barepaws only" area, so guests must leave their shoes outside.

 

Since the cafe is small, a group is allowed to stay for an hour at a time. There's also an entrance fee of P200, half of which goes to cat care expenses, while the other half is consumable. The choices are interesting, especially if you like sweet, ice-blended drinks and pretty pastries. However, snacks pale in comparison to the cats, who are all over the place. Cats on the table, cats under the chairs, cats hiding in their little cat houses. 

 

Much of the fun lies in trying to get their attention. There are toy wands lying around, with feathers and balls of string hanging from the tips. Many of the visitors spend minutes trying to get the cats to play with them, which happens rarely and for a few seconds. The result is a room full of giggling people who look like they're fishing, while the cats just look unimpressed.

 

The lack of response doesn't discourage the humans, especially not the regulars, who know the cats by name. There are around 10 cats, including the three-legged Peggy, the superior Mama Cat, the playful Oreo, and the fabulous Shelly, who recently became the first Cat Cafe resident to find a home. What's interesting about Cat Cafe Manila is how it lets guests interact with the cats without any commitment. Humans who are interested in adopting any of the cats can fill out an adoption form, which will be endorsed to CARA Welfare Philippines, which is a partner of the cafe.

 

A lot of the guests aren't there to adopt, but just want to hang out with the cats. There's something calming about being in their quiet presence, unless of course it turns out you're allergic. Otherwise, the only thing to consider is being covered in cat hair by the time your hour is up, but it's nothing you can't brush off. —KG, GMA News

 

Cat Cafe Manila is at 189 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.