Thank you for your replies, we really appreciate it.
Mary - Thank you so much for your kind words, we were planning on fostering 2 of the 10 cats and letting people adopt them through the shelter we plan on working with. However we have changed our minds on that one as while it would be great for people and the shelter, it wouldn't for the cats as it would be likely that those cats would get adopted quickly thus changing home 3 times in a matter of weeks as well as our cats having to get used to 2 new cats regularly. We have decided that it isn't really fair on the cats and will just be advertising cats for local shelters instead. Hopefully we can become a hub for people to come to when they want a cat and we can put them in touch with the shelters. Yes we will have lots of signs about showing people how to treat the cats and what the individual cats like and dislike, Sir Fluffington (one of our kittens) has to have one of his paws resting on your hand or over your arm when picked up or he struggles and isn't happy. We'll make things like that clear for people (clearer than I wrote it). If you ever want an update as you don't use facebook or twitter, feel free to email me at jon@konekocat.co.uk.
Slugsta - We were originally worried that the cats may get stressed despite there being no evidence that they would, we worried nonetheless. Visiting the cat cafe in Totnes really helped dispel those fears as their cats love it there, we are also in contact with them and they are lovely people who more than happy to share their wisdom with us. We will make sure the cats have a nice environment such as having at least 11 hiding places and plenty of high up places so that they can look down on everyone (at least 20 perches) as well as a separate room. Where do you live? As there are a few planned to open across the UK hopefully one is near you.
SamMewl - I imagine in the next 6 months there will be guidelines for those planning cat cafes in the future as there are 2 separate bodies currently putting work into something like it (which we are involved with and hopefully they'll work together). We will put all our welfare plans on our website soon for everyone to see and obviously update them once we open and see what works and doesn't. The cats will be indoor cats but that is fine as long as the cats are entertained, which will be no problem for our future cats. We'd love special needs cats but unfortunately a cafe just wouldn't be the right environment for most of them. We fell in love with a kitty with cerebral palsy when visiting a shelter but we wouldn't be able to care for him adequately and he wouldn't be safe in the cafe.
Don't worry there will be plenty of hiding space for the cats as detailed above. We are considering feliway, it depends how the cats seem in the cafe, we will be slowly introducing them to people, starting with only allowing about 5 people and then building up. We can't wait for the cat genies. I've heard in Japan they have human toilets a bit like cat genies, the way they self flush and clean.
Dawn - Yes the cats protection did object but they haven't given any valid reasons for doing so and are not willing to talk about it, they have also admitted they do not know about cat cafes, nor will they visit the one that is open in Totnes. Rest assured though we have heard that the people who do the day to day running of the shelters for the cats protection think cat cafes are a great idea and also don't understand head office's views.
Mymblesdaughter - If the cafe is unsuccessful I imagine we will keep the cats. I will become too attached to let them go. Apparently owning 10 cats isn't that many, we've heard of a vet at the PDSA with 20. Yes we will need friendly cats that are easier to rehome but as far as we are aware, all the cat shelters here are full (a lot of shelters here range from 40-70 cats with people doing it in their own homes) and we hope to promote local cat shelters and help them find people to adopt cats. Here in Brighton the local shelters are all overcrowded so I'm sure it'll help if we adopt 8 even if they are the friendly ones. We will also be donating at least 10% profits back to a local shelter so we can help them (it will start at 10% as we will be using most of the profits to make the property better for the cats and then potentially expanding, then we will make more profit which means more for the shelters). We are also hoping we can help the shelters find volunteers as people have already asked to volunteer for us so hopefully many will be willing to volunteer for shelters. We have discussed with a shelter but they don't want to be named at the moment. The cats will be part of our family and will live with us, we plan to either get a property with a flat above or live around the corner. Yes we agree it can be worrying whether the cat cafes are just doing it for money or not, and whilst we want to make a living, we don't want millions, we more hope we can help change a few cats lives in the local area, well hopefully a lot of cats lives. Some cats are not friendly with strangers however at shelters we have met plenty of cats that would fit in fine in a cafe.
Sue - The cats will have lots of hiding places where people can't get to them if they are not feeling sociable. With our business model, people will not be paying for time with the cats, merely buying a drink in a place where they can observe and maybe stroke/play with a cat. We imagine as it will attract cat lovers, people will be sensible and let the cats come to them (apparently this is what happens in Japan and what does happen in Totnes). I imagine 'I'm always really happy to step in for a spot of cat cuddling if the owners and cats are up for it' is how almost everyone who comes to the cafe will feel. We plan on having one member of staff out with the cats at all times to make sure that everything is okay.
JenGeorgieBob - You're exactly right. For some cats it would be hell (the same as for some humans working in a coffee shop would be). Others will love it, the cats in Totnes cats cafe love it and I'm sure when we adopt ours, they will too. Your cats sound lovely (should definitely make Benji a cat friendly lasagne for his birthday). It's amazing how many cats love chocolate when its so bad for them, I guess no different from humans. We will have a member of staff making sure no kitties have a sneaky latte when they think no one's looking.
We wanted to say thank you for everyone who replied and to everyone who reads this post as it's quite a long'n.
Thank you,
Jon and Keri
