A Cat Café is a space that serves food and drinks while cats roam free around customers. The first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998 and then soon became popular in Japan. The first cat cafés originated primarily because they gives people who live in of apartments that do not allow pets a chance to be with animals. Recently, cat cafés have gained incredible popularity as almost every major city has one. The way they operate differs globally: in Paris’ cat cafe, “ Le Café des Chats” , you cannot adopt the cats, but you are allowed to have meals with the cats, while in New York’s “Meow Parlour” cats are adoptable, but treats and drinks are served at a separate location.

Los Angeles first cat café “Crumbs & Whiskers” opened up September 15th and is located on the fashionable Melrose Avenue. The café partners with a cat rescue agency called “Karma Rescue” and adopts cats that are going to be euthanized. All cats are adoptable and food for the café is made at a separate location. Reservations are highly recommended as spots usually fill up a week before.

I was incredibly excited when I first discovered the café as I walked down Melrose admiring all the nice stores then came across a space with 15 to 20 cats inside.  Once you enter the café, you are given a menu with drinks and treats. I ordered a chai latte and also a peanut butter cookie, but the food does not come out until the middle of your reservation. I have been to two separate cat cafés, one in New York and one in Tokyo, and I found this one in Los Angeles to be the best decorated one. It features plush chairs and neon signs with cute sayings on the walls.

While many would wonder, “ what do you do for an hour and 15 minutes with just cats and a drink?”, I was shocked at how fast the time went. When I first walked in, I sat down on a rug and was instantly greeted by a cat who cuddled up to me. There were hyper cats who were ecstatic to play with the many toys in the shop, as well as many who would love to have you hold a basket while they sleep in it.  I would recommend if you want to play with the cats to go at an earlier time since they get worn out during the day. While you are with the cats, a staff member comes and talks to you about the personality of each cat and takes a polaroid photo of you cuddling with a cat. You get to leave the cat café with your polaroid photo as well as an adorable “Crumbs & Whiskers” sticker. This cat café has had over 130 cat adoptions. Therefore Los Angeles’ cat café has done a great job giving an enjoyable experience while helping homeless cats find forever homes.