Cat Café Trend Me-Wowing People Across The U.S.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Have you heard about cat cafés? Coffee and cats may sound like an unusual combination, but it's the newest trend!
Some of the cafés are so popular, they're taking reservations.
It started in Asia, reportedly in Taiwan and Japan, but in the last year, ones have popped up in Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Denver and New York City.
There's one hoping to open this year in Cincinnati, but the closest one to Pittsburgh is in Washington D.C.'s Georgetown section, a place called Crumbs and Whiskers.
It was the purr-fect place for 11-year-old Felipe to celebrate his birthday. When asked what he thinks of cats, he responded with: "Cool, relaxed and cute!" and then gave one of the cats a hug.
Both kids and adults have taken to the place since it opened, and most of the cats have taken to them. Although, there's always a few who are a little aloof.
Kanchan Singh is the owner and says she opened the place after visiting a cat café in Thailand.
She says when people stumble upon her cafe, they typically have one of two reactions: "It's either utter excitement or it's like what!?" she said as she laughed. She added: "Which is fun!"
They sell coffee, tea and macarons all made off-site and delivered.
They also have some rules on the wall, such as: "Never Wake a Sleeping Cat!"
"It's a lot of fun!" said Keith Slack who was visiting the café.
"You can come and hang out with cats and just relax and take it easy," he said.
Some say communing with cats can really help you de-stress, and if you really fall in love with a furry new friend, the good news is that all the cats are up for adoption.
"Everyone's all about dogs, and cats are actually so wonderful," said Jennifer Boger from the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, which supplies the 20 cats at the café.
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The café is actually just a foster home until they find their forever one. And, according to a sign on the wall, nearly 60 cats have been adopted so far.
"I'm really glad Crumbs and Whiskers exists," said Boger. "I think Pittsburgh should open their own café, their own cat café."
So far, no permanent cat cafés in Pittsburgh.
However, Animal Advocates in Pittsburgh's West End has had a one-day cat café in the summer and plans to do it again this May.
