A different type of cafe recently opened its doors, located in a wonderful neighbourhood of Thissio near the historic centre of Athens.
This is the Cat Cafe. In this shop, hosts are wonderful cats who welcome you with the most beautiful meow in the world. Speaking of which, is there a better welcome than that of a cat?
Entering the space, you are surprised. Nothing is similar in Greece, as Cat Cafe is the first of its kind. It is a wonderful, warm, clean and casual space. A paradise for indoor cats. But also for you who will be there.
The four-legged animals, former strays looking for a home, approach you for caresses and hugs. Some, of course, run and play, ultimately ignoring your existence.
Others still need to finish their food and are chewing. Then they lick each other. Others look at you literally from high, sitting on the special shelves designed on the wall to relax and gaze at the world from above.
And all this in a wonderful, playful and colourful yard. They're not having a bad time, so to speak.
The soul of Cat Cafe is Natalie and Dimitris, the people who created this cafe, making their dreams come true. The two worked in hospitality, customer service, business development, and technology for many years.
About a year ago, they quit their jobs. The Cat Cafe was about to enter their lives.
They were interviewed by To Pet Mou.
- Natalie and Dimitris, how did you come up with ​​a Cat Cafe? We know that such cafes are common abroad.
We have made many trips abroad and seen other Cat Cafes up close, how they work and how they are in general. Everywhere you go abroad, there are cafes like this.
We here united the problem with the countless stray cats we have in Greece with the idea of what there is abroad. More of Europe, of course, and less of Japan, where there are also many such cafes.
In Asian countries, it is different. They have the floors where the cats are congregated. You pay a fee every 10-20 minutes. They have it more for profit. In other words, they have cats as an attraction. It is a different model than Europe's.
In Europe, they respect cats more. Except there they have more breed cats since they have much fewer strays, and mainly in the countryside, compared to us. Know that all countries have Cat Cafes.
- And why a Cat Cafe and not, say, a Dog Cafe?
Because we love cats a little more, they are very misunderstood animals. And so, unfortunately, they end up living a maximum of two years on the street.
- What's happening here in this cat cafe?
Anyone who wants to come here is welcome, but only with a reservation made through our site. We have done it this way for peace of mind. That's why we also have a few table seats for the tranquillity of the cats and the guests themselves.
So after someone makes their schedule and comes, they enter the space, washes their hands in the vestibule - one of the procedures we follow - and then comes inside. They choose where they want to sit, either outside or inside. Most cats are in the yard.
They can order something light, such as sweets, coffee, or soft drinks. Then, of course, some cat will come to welcome them. They are all friendly and learned to be petted.
No matter what time the visitor arrives, they experience this outsider vibe in the space. It calms and relaxes. The jazz music we play also helps with this.
- Do people come alone?
Yes, and it's fundamental. Generally, people go out alone but know they will have the cats for company here. Guests also get to know each other.
Because there is some fundamental commonality, the love of cats, it is very nice to have company with others when you go somewhere.
- How did the people here see this whole project?
The main reason we chose this area for the Pet Cafe, namely Thissio, is because we were afraid of the response from the Greek public in another neighbourhood of Athens.
So we say that in Thissio, and because of foreigners, things are more animal friendly. People here are cat lovers. There are many cat colonies, so they are familiar. That way, we would have a reasonable basis for the place to be sustainable.
And finally, we have many Greeks - most of our guests - which was something we did not expect. From the beginning, our goal was to bring people who don't have cats into contact with cats. To interact with them and get to know them. And decide to adopt one.
- Do you remember a beautiful adoption story?
Yes, the recent one that happened. A father came with his two daughters who wanted to adopt a cat but had yet to gain experience. They came here two or three times.
One of the kittens started playing with them. So they adopted her. That is, the kitten embraced them. She chose them, to be exact. Cats are not adopted. These adopt their guardian.
- Where do the cats here come from?
The cats are all from the Zoophilic Association of Ilioupoli and are up for adoption. They are looking for a permanent home. So they are spayed, vaccinated, dewormed and chipped.
Anyone who wants to adopt one fills in their details in the special document. Adoption is always done through the Zoophilic Association of Ilioupoli, which is responsible for it. They will check if the guardian is suitable and do all the procedures.
- When you first brought the cats here from the shelter, how did they behave?
Like their home, they also lived in the shelter for free. With their yard, everything. When they came here, it was fine.
- What surprises you about a cat?
You can never predict their next move. This is very exciting. Cats have a personality.
- Can someone come to the Cat Cafe with their animal?
No, they cannot. The kittens here have been raised together at the animal shelter and get along well together. They are also familiar with people. But with a foreign and unknown animal, things can be different.
- I see that there is also a piano in the room
The piano is here for anyone who wants to play. Some people we know come and play. But anyone who knows the piano sits here and plays. The piano is a social experiment.
- And what are your future plans?
Our goal is adoption. If we see adoptions taking place, the shop has fulfilled its purpose. And we would like to see more such cafes in the neighbourhoods.
Because we started it, but if we think about how many stray kittens are out there, it would be great if there were other places like this. Such a space should be common sense for every neighbourhood.
Cat Cafe Athens is located at 54 Nileos Street in Thissio.
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