CAT CAFES SHOULD BE ‘PHASED OUT’, RSPCA WARNS
Source: Sky (Extract)
Posted: March 20, 2025
There are currently over 30 cat cafes in England – and experts are warning they make it ‘almost impossible’ to meet the cats’ needs.
The RSPCA and Cats Protection have urged for action in response to the rise of businesses that let customers interact with cats, and even adopt them.
The charities argue that the café environment makes it “nearly impossible” to meet the welfare needs of the cats, as they can become stressed by being in close proximity to other animals and unfamiliar people.
RSPCA cat welfare expert Alice Potter stated, “While cats, cake, and coffee may seem like a perfect combination for people, for the cats living in these cafés 24/7, the reality is likely very different.”
“We believe these environments can’t consistently provide cats with a high quality of life, and we’re deeply concerned that many cats will suffer as a result,” she continued.
Ms. Potter also noted, “In general, cats are not naturally sociable, and many prefer to live without other cats or only form social bonds with their close relatives.”
Currently, there are over 30 licensed cat cafés in England, with nearly 44% of those licenses being issued in the past financial year.
Both charities believe that many more cat cafes may be operating without oversight or regulation due to unclear legislation.
Cat cafés that are inspected by local authorities operate under regulations related to the keeping or training of animals for exhibition.
The RSPCA and Cats Protection have argued that halting the issuance of new licenses and not renewing existing ones would help phase out these cafés over time.
Ms. Potter commented, “Cats in cat cafés are essentially being used for entertainment and are often licensed as such. Our concern is that, in doing so, they are paying the price with a poor quality of life.”
Daniel Warren-Cummings, central behaviour officer for charity Cats Protection has said that cats often “hide the signs” of stress.
He said: “Some cats adopt a strategy of feigning sleep when they are stressed, leading consumers to mistakenly assume they are simply resting.”
However, others feel that the cafes should not be phased out entirely and would benefit from stricter monitoring.
Lauren Pears, owner of Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in East London, said, “When considering a reputable cat café, I look for things like age limits, capacity restrictions, and dedicated staff for cat care.”
“Watching the industry grow over the years, I believe that entrepreneurs wanting to open a cat café should be required to hold or obtain animal husbandry qualifications. This would ensure they understand the welfare implications of their decisions.”
“I fully support regulation and increased scrutiny of the industry.”
