Cat cafe opens its doors in Setapak and draws in the crowds

IMAGINE enjoying an ice-cold cup of coffee while a bunch of curious cats sniff around you as yet more jump around the room or snooze in secret corners.

That is a typical scene that greets visitors to Malaysia’s very first cat cafe — the Country Cat Cafe — located in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

The concept of cat and dog cafes is by no means an unusual one as it was first popularised in 1998 when the first-ever cat cafe opened in Taiwan.

Since then, many more of these cafes have been set up in Japan, South Korea, Austria, Paris, Germany and London, with two more expected to open in California, the US, later this year.

The Country Cat Cafe is nestled inside The Country Pet Store, which also provides pet boarding and accessory retail services.

Country Cat Cafe is nestled inside The Country Pet Store, which provides pet boarding and accessory retail services in locations including Setapak (the only venue with a cafe), Bangsar and Kajang.

No stranger to the pet industry, Country Pet Store director E.J. Khew said branching out from the pet stores to a cat cafe was an easy decision.

Khew, who is one of several directors in the company, said the idea to start a cat cafe came about by chance.

“It started out when one of our directors visited a cat cafe in Japan and found it to be a calming experience. We decided that bringing that concept to Malaysia would be a novel idea,” he said.

“This was also perfect timing as the pet industry here has become stagnant over the past few years, and this could revive the industry.

“To that end, the Country Cat Café is a place for anyone who wants peace of mind and to get away from the stresses of everyday life.

“Cats have been proven to have wonderful healing powers against depression and stress. The cats here have become our very own ‘feline therapists’,” Khew said.

However, he added that setting up the cafe proved challenging.

The cafe is attracting a variety of customers with its first-of-a kind concept.

“As this was the first time it was being done here, we had to learn everything from scratch.

“Also, as this was not just a normal food and beverage outlet or pet store, special attention had to be given to ensure that the cats were given every priority,” Khew said.

“We offer pet-friendly food for both humans and their feline friends. It is safe to share your food with the cats. In addition, the food is served in pet food bowls,” he said.

Visitors must sanitise their hands and wear cafe-supplied slippers before coming into contact with cats.

All the cats are vaccinated and regularly checked by a visiting veterinarian, while the café is disinfected daily.

To ensure the safety of the cats, the cafe uses the Hagen brand of products.

“The Catit range of products used in the café includes the carefully engineered cat collar that will snap off easily, to prevent accidents for the cats that may be stuck on a hanging branch. The well-designed drinking water fountain also prevents cats from getting wet,” he said.

According to Khew, the café is popular among students and working adults looking for a safe and cosy environment to relax with the cats.

“You can see many creative people here during non-peak hours,” Khew said.

“They would just sit by themselves, thinking and jotting down notes or drawing, and playing with the cats when they want a break,” he said.

Khew with the ‘feline- therapists’. The cat cafe concept is a worldwide phenomenon that is fast gaining traction in the country.

Tourists from England, Portugal, Germany, Japan, South Korea and China have visited the café, as well as locals from Penang, Kelantan, Pahang and Johor.

With its dimly lit ambience and soft music, it is easy to see why visitors have been flocking to the Country Cat Cafe.

The cafe houses more than a dozen pure-breed cats, including the iconic American Curl with its curled ears, fluffy Persians, a wild-looking Bengal, spotted American Shorthair, almost hairless Cornish Rex, playful Siamese and the elegant Maine Coon.

“We house some 30 different cats here and there are about a dozen in the cafe at any one time.

“The cats come to us from different places. We have saved a few from breeders and some from shelters,” Khew said.

Not only can guests play with the cats, special treats, soups and even supplements can be purchased for them. Grooming tools are also available for anyone who wants to pamper the felines and toys are aplenty in the café for customers to have playtime with the cats.

With an initial start-up of RM300,000, the Country Cat Cafe is slowly but surely recouping its investments.

The almost hairless Cornish Rex takes some getting used to but is an even-tempered cat.

“Currently, the cafe draws an estimated 30 customers per day, although the number can reach up to 100 during the weekends and school holidays.

“We charge each customer RM14.90 per hour to spend time in the cafe. This is so the cats get enough rest during the day and we can control the number of people in the cafe at any one time,” Khew said.

The company has big plans as they hope to open more cafes in the near future.

“We will be opening a dog cafe in Port Dickson sometime this year and we are considering franchising options,” he added.

Meanwhile, the outlet in Lucky Garden, Bangsar, offers hydro-therapy for dogs as well as grooming options.

The cafe offers a selection of pet-friendly food for both humans and their feline friends.

The company has also opened a pet-boarding centre recently, called the Country Pet Resort, located a mere five minutes’ drive from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The resort offers 24-hour caretakers, free parking for owners and even a large exercise garden.

The Country Cat Cafe is located at No 60, Plaza Crystalville @ Setapak, Jalan Danau Niaga Satu, Danau Kota, 53300 Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur.

For details, call 03-4131 3348 or visit the cafe’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/malaysiacatcafe.