You’ve got to be kitten me : Cat lounge coming to Dartmouth
Posted Jan 11, 2018 07:05:52 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It's not open right meow, but a new business coming to Dartmouth will give customers an opportunity to go home with a new friend.
When the Lily Pad Cat Lounge opens its doors, it will be the first cat lounge in Atlantic Canada, allowing patrons to play with adoptable animals from the Nova Scotia SCPA.
Owner Jody Godin said cat cafes started in Asia, with businesses allowing patrons to enjoy a drink while interacting with live-in felines.
She told NEWS 95.7's The Sheldon MacLeod Show, most North America cat cafes have a difference concept, partnering up with local animal shelters to allow customers to take home the pets.
“I saw an article about Catfe in Vancouver, and basically their cat adoptions were so successful that they essentially had to close down for a week because they ran out of cats.”
Godin said Nova Scotia rules prevent her from preparing food on site, so she'll be selling cat supplies and merchandise at the front of the store, along with self-serve beverages and pre-packaged snacks. In order to go into the lounge area with the cats, people will have to pay an entry fee and sign a waiver.
And don't B.Y.O.C., outside cats are not allowed.
“While some people may have good intentions, you never know if the cat may have an underlying illness that's not currently showing symptoms,” explained Godin. “It may have fleas that they're not even aware of, so to protect the cats up for adoption in the lounge, we don't allow people to bring their own cats.”
The business is not open yet, but is in the process of setting up shop at 590 Portland Street.
