The cosmic-inspired cat café, located in Surry Hills, is sure to become the purr-fect place to enjoy a cappuccino alongside some newfound moggy mates. After all, the company behind this feline-friendly café is the same team that launched Cat Café Melbourne and Catmosphere Cat Café Chiang Mai.

However, cat café’s aren’t a totally new concept. The first cat café opened in Taiwan in the late 90s but the idea has really taken off in Japan over the last ten years, where more than 150 cat cafes exist.

The idea started as a way for those who are unable to own a cat—due to housing rules, living situation or lifestyle—to still enjoy the benefits of interacting and caring for a cat. Cat cafes have also become a way to address and re-house homeless and abandoned cats.

Patrons of cat cafés usually pay a cover fee for an allocated time, approximately an hour, which they use to play with the café’s cats. The cats are kept in a playroom usually filled with toys, scratching posts and all the things cats love. Customers are encouraged to purchase their coffee and settle down to enjoy it in the playroom with the cats. But what if the cat’s not feeling up to socialising? In Cat Café Melbourne for example, there are cat flaps so the felines can toddle through to their own private area.

It’s important to note that there are often strict rules in place to ensure you have an enjoyable time and the cats don’t get too bothered. Cat Café Melbourne doesn’t allow children under eight-years-of-age, and your coffee must have a lid on it to ensure none of the kitties get their paws into the hot coffee. Many cat cafés require a reservation and only allow in a certain amount of customers at a time. This ensures the cats don’t get overwhelmed by all the noise and people.

What do you think of cat cafes?