Would you like a Russian Blue with your decaf Americano?
The fur is going to fly – and probably get into your cuppa joe – at Edmonton’s first ever Pop-Up Cat CafĂ©, taking place today and tomorrow. Sarah Hoyles and Aaron Getz are bringing cats and coffee, two of people’s most favourite things, together in an effort to promote an animal rescue agency and animal adoption itself.
The concept is not new but is being tried for the first time here.
“This is truly an experiment,” Hoyles stated, with Getz clarifying, “We’re taking models that we’ve found out of Asia. We haven’t seen anything like it pop up here before.”
The idea is that attendees will get to stop in at Latitude 53 with their tickets in hand for a one-hour time slot. There, they can enjoy a decent espresso or other fine brewed beverages from Iconoclast Coffee while a corralled bevy of cats provides the entertainment and points of interest.
While the cats are all up for adoption via Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society, people shouldn’t expect to adopt them on the spot and go home with a new feline friend, along with a lattĂ© to go. Zoe’s, Hoyles continued, has a “robust” adoption process that includes a home visit, an extensive application, and an interview.
“This would be a chance for people to come and meet the animals but at the same time they wouldn’t be able to take the cats home with them right then and there,” she said.
“It gives them the opportunity to be around cats because a lot of people that are not cat owners are still cat lovers. It’s just to be around them and have a chance to play and pet them,” Getz said.
“It’s best for the cats,” Hoyles added, noting that this will hopefully give some much-needed exposure to the non-profit rescue operation. “Zoe’s is shelterless animal rescue. They don’t have a bricks and mortar place for animals to stay. They have foster homes. This is truly a way for the animals to get some exposure outside of what [Zoe’s uses] now, which is Facebook and Twitter. It’s about giving exposure to them and to the animals and hopefully, finding some forever homes for them.”
Representatives from Zoe’s will be on site to answer any questions.
Tickets are sold out but the organizers suggest that the success of this could be a harbinger of a future recurrence of the café. The duo hope to bring the pop-up back with a different rescue organization to help spread the word about the good work that they all do.
Until then, the organizers remain optimistic that the macchiatos and Maine Coons will mix well.
“We’re a little apprehensive but it’s coming together very well,” Getz indicated.
“Cats will be cats. If they actually want to participate in this thing, we’ll see,” Hoyles speculated with a laugh.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to support Zoe’s.
The event takes place today from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. For more details, visit edmontoncatcafe.com
