Cat café forced to close because there are no cats right meow

The temporary closure of Vancouver’s newly opened cat café is a bittersweet setback for an establishment that showcases homeless felines.

The Catfé, which operates out of the International Village Mall downtown, said it was forced to shut its doors Monday after an overwhelming amount of adoptions in its first three weeks of operation led to “catlessness.”

“We have run out of cats,” a message on its website reads.

The café, which encourages patrons to enjoy a café au lait with their “meow mix,” lets feline-lovers mingle with adoptable cats in a social and safe setting. Admission costs between $5 and $8, depending on if you purchase something from the café.

The cats are provided by the local BC SPCA, which only sends animals it feels would be comfortable with the attention. But while the cafe and animal welfare agency aim to have between eight to 12 cats there at any time, it’s found itself with a shortage because of steady adoptions.

“Paired with holiday hours and bad road conditions for our Northern cat transfers, our partners at the BC SPCA have been low on cats to send to us,” owner Michelle Furbacher wrote.

The café is intending to reopen on Friday with a fresh group of felines.

“We are excited that so many cats have already found homes, but we also look forward to providing a fun, cat-filled space in the near future with lots of new feline furriends to meet,” said Furbacher.

She notes that there is not a shortage of adoptable cats in the Vancouver area, and anyone wanting to adopt a cat should visit the SPCA website, or local cat rescues like Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association, Richmond Animal Protection Society, Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS), Katie's Place Animal Shelter, Tinykittens and CARES Cat Shelter.