History and Popularity of Cat Cafés in the US
Cat cafes have become popular in the United States since late 2014, with both pop-up and permanent locations in major cities. The first established cat cafe in the US, Cat Town, opened in the Bay Area in 2014. These establishments aim to find cats their forever homes, providing a relaxed environment for potential adopters to interact with the cats.
Regulations and Rules in Cat Cafés
Unfortunately, while some US counties allow dogs on restaurant patios, live animals are not permitted in grocery stores or restaurants as per FDA regulations. Adhering to food service regulations has been challenging in the US. Cat cafes in the US have strict rules in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the cats, such as not allowing visitors to pick up cats, feed them, use flash photography, or stress the animals in any way.
Cat Café Culture in Asia
The concept of cat cafes originated in Taiwan in 1998 with the opening of Cat Flower Garden. By 2010, Taiwan had over 80 cat cafes, and the trend quickly spread to Japan, where the densely populated urban areas limited pet ownership. Cat cafes provided a way for people to enjoy the company of cats while living in apartments that generally do not allow pets.