A couple of weeks ago, my hubby and I honoured a very special reservation for coffee and baked treats at a café in the neighbourhood of Kensington here in Calgary.
We had a few guests join us afterwards.
Of the furry variety.
You see, we spent the morning at the Regal Cat Café, where you can sit and enjoy a delicious tea or coffee and a scrumptious variety of baking, and then, if you choose (and who wouldn’t?), you can pay a small fee to spend the better part of an hour entertaining and being entertained by a roomful of cats. The Café works in conjunction with The MEOW Foundation, a Calgary cat rescue charity, and the cats you get to play with are all up for adoption. The money you pay to spend time with the cats goes to help fund the Foundation’s work.
It was probably the most delightful morning I have spent in years. We don’t have a cat, but I am utterly infatuated with them, so to have free time just to play with these rescues and watch them do goofy, fun cat things, was such a treat. And the Café’s ultra-spacious, kitty-approved (and quite frankly, supremely swanky) accommodations, completely separate from the food, are set up with all manner of hiding spots, climbing areas, platforms, scratching posts, blankets, chairs, and sunny nooks just for snoozing. It’s absolutely perfect. (There is even an inner room with a sink for washing up and lockers to securely leave your belongings in).
For anyone in Calgary who wants to visit the Café, there are a few drop-in cat visits permitted, but they do prefer advance registrations. The number of people allowed in the room at one time is restricted. And you have to observe a few rules for the safety and comfort of the cats (and you), but everything is clearly explained when you get there.
I’m looking forward to filling up my new Loyalty card at this wonderful place. 🙂
Flowery Prose 
What?! CATS!? Oh my! I think I would do that just to be able to write about it! After all, I am in the Kitty City!
YES! I loved your post featuring all the wonderful cat statues…very cool!
Oh yes, the Cat Walk!
That is quite interesting. I wonder if Edmonton has something similar for those dog lovers out there. We are not cat lovers ourselves, not in the way that you are by any means, but it sounds like a terrific spot to go to for a coffee/tea and dessert, all while getting your cup full of love and giving a cup full of love, to a feline in need.
~Kathy
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Hi, Kathy! Hope you’re doing well! There doesn’t seem to be a lot of dog cafes in Canada; some may open up soon as they’re becoming more popular in the States. I did find a really interesting place in your neck of the woods, though – the Doggy Style Deli is a place where you can take your dog and the dog can eat gourmet food from their “just-for-dogs” menu. (No human food made there). They will even host dog birthday parties (complete with cakes just for the dogs!). They also have a store so you can buy dog toys, bagged food, etc.. Interesting! https://www.facebook.com/DoggyStyleDeliAB/
wat een prachtig initiatief
Yes, you’re so right!
There’s a place like this in St. Louis – can’t wait to visit.
Oh, yes, you should definitely go! And then post about your experience so we can compare notes!
Such pretty kitties! A fun place to visit, I bet.
It was the most fun I’ve had in absolute forever…. 🙂
I have not visited Calgary since 1981, but if I get back there again, I will look up this wonderful place!
Absolutely recommended! Not only are the cats amazing, but the coffee (and the little cat-shaped macarons) are delightful as well! 🙂
What a terrific idea! Great for people and probably better for the cats because they are being socialized and I would think quite a lot get adopted!
Yes, I agree with you! – the socialization is such a key part of it. The cats seemed so content while we were there, and the place is designed so perfectly for them. When we were there, all but 2 of the current batch had already been adopted. They just bring in more cats on a rotation (every couple of months, as far as I understand). So wonderful!
Amazing! I wish we had one around here, it is such a good idea. A win, win, win, win, win, win situation. 🙂
So completely true!
What a delightful time! Your photos are gorgeous, Sheryl. I’m glad you had such a good time visiting the kitties. I wish you could bring one home to stay, but barring that, how nice to have this option.
I had so much fun! Just such a wonderful opportunity and I am so happy to support this fantastic charity. I will be going again in the next few weeks, for sure….
I hope you become a regular there, Sheryl. These places are wonderful.
Thee are a few cat cafés in Britain, though none that close to where I live. They are such a good idea – good for the cats and good for anyone in need of a little bit of cat company. I’m glad you had a great time, Sheryl.
Yes, it’s a total win-win for both the cats and the visitors! I am already planning my next visit, I loved it so! 🙂
🙂
I love this idea and would have a hard time leaving any behind when I left. I don’t think we have anything like that here but I wish we did. I’d go in a heartbeat. how fun can that be!
Oh yes, it is definitely difficult to walk out the door without adopting one! It is a very special place and I am looking so forward to going again!
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