New Kitty Café slammed by animal rights groups
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An innovative café for unwanted cats in Nottingham has opened to praise from cat lovers but condemnation from animal rights groups, who have voiced concerns over food hygiene and overcrowding.
Abandoned cats and kittens of all different sizes and ages are welcomed at Kitty Café and there are currently 19 staying there.
Café owners Oliver Richards and Kate Charles-Richards have brought the cats from rescue centres in Nottingham. They believe their café will increase the chances of the animals finding homes.
Kate says: “We are operating as a cat rescue and our number one concern is the welfare of the cats and we want to find them a permanent home.”
But Cats Protection Nottingham Adoption Centre manager Kevan Owen claims that keeping cats, who are naturally solitary creatures, in a busy environment could damage their health.
But Kate replies: “There are spaces for the cats to hide away in when it gets too crowded and we have an animal behaviourist onsite who has experience working with a colony of 120 cats.” Concerns have also been expressed about food hygiene with so many cats being housed in the café.
However, customers will have to sign a set of rules before being admitted to the café to ensure both their own safety and that of the cats. Strict hygiene regulations are in place and the kitchen is sealed. Waiters will also not be allowed to touch the cats because of the risk of contaminating the food.
"People should come down and find out for themselves what we’re all about," says Kate "It will be a comfortable experience – you’ll fall in love with the cats!” For more information visit http://kittycafe.co.uk/. You can also find out what Kate has to say on video by clicking here
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