Advocacy Archives - Trap and Return

How Cat Cafes Work

How Cat Cafes Work Cat cafes have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a unique experience for cat lovers and providing a home-like environment for adoptable cats. These establishments often partner with local rescue organizations to help find homes for their feline residents. This section will explore how cat cafes work together with rescues to benefit both the cats and the community. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Cat Cafe Concept A cat café is a combination of a coffee shop and an adoption center, where patrons can enjoy a cup of coffee or a sweet treat while spending time with resident kitties. These establishments create a calming and comfortable environment for the cats, allowing them to roam freely and interact with visitors. The primary purpose of a cat cafe or a cat lounge is to provide a stress-free space for potential adopters to meet and connect with the cats, increasing their chances of finding forever homes. This is also a great way for animal shelters to reach new potential adopters in the community. Additionally, many people aren’t able to own cats for a variety of reasons, from living in small apartments that don’t allow pets to have roommates or family that are allergic to cats. Many people who visit cat cafes would love to own cats but aren’t able to. Most cat cafes require a cover charge or entry fee, which helps fund the food, litter, and expensive veterinary care these rescue cats require. While not all cat cafes are nonprofits, most of the animal shelters are. There are a variety of cat cafe themes. Some offer a wine bar, and many offer unique cat-themed events like cat yoga, cat bingo, or cat trivia. You can sip coffee or enjoy a cocktail and treats while you meet beautiful kitty cats. What Is a Cat Cafe? A cat cafe is a unique concept that originated in Taiwan in 1998 and gained popularity worldwide, particularly in Japan. The first cat cafe combined the relaxing atmosphere of a coffee shop with the opportunity to interact with adorable feline companions. Cat lovers can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while surrounded by friendly cats who are available for adoption. “Cat cafes provide a sanctuary for both cats and cat lovers. They offer a temporary home for adoptable cats, allowing them to socialize and find loving families, while providing a serene environment for visitors to unwind and connect with these amazing creatures.” – Sarah Johnson, Cat Cafe Enthusiast Cat cafes often collaborate with local rescue organizations to source their resident cats. The cats are carefully selected and screened for temperament and sociability to ensure they are suitable for the cafe environment. Once in the cat cafe, the cats have the freedom to interact with visitors, who can pet and play with them and even adopt them if they find a special bond. Visiting a cat cafe is not only a delightful experience for cat lovers but also provides vital support to animal rescue efforts. By enjoying a cup of coffee or other food and drink in these establishments, visitors contribute to the care, feeding, and veterinary expenses of the resident cats, allowing the cat cafe to continue its mission of finding loving homes for them. The Rise of Cat Cafes Around the World Cat cafes have been on the rise worldwide, with an increasing number of these unique establishments popping up in different countries. The first cat café originated in Taiwan in 1998 and gained significant popularity and quickly spread to Japan, where the first Japanese cat cafe opened its doors in 2005. Since then, the concept of cat cafes has become a global phenomenon, expanding to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Canada. So, what has contributed to the growing popularity of cat cafes around the world? One factor is the increasing number of people who consider themselves cat lovers and desire the opportunity to spend time in the company of these furry friends. As of 2022, 30% of US households own cats. Cat cafes provide a relaxed environment for both rescue cats and the 70% of people who might not be able to own cats. Furthermore, cat cafes offer a unique setting for potential cat owners to meet adoptable cats. These establishments collaborate with local rescue organizations to provide a temporary home for cats in need of adoption. The home-style environment allows cats to showcase their personalities and charm potential adopters more naturally and comfortably, increasing the likelihood of successful adoptions. The rise of cat cafes around the world is also driven by the increasing awareness of the benefits of pet companionship and the importance of animal welfare. Cat cafes serve as platforms to raise awareness about rescue organizations and the incredible work they do to save and rehome cats. By showcasing adoptable cats and providing information on responsible pet ownership, cat cafes play a significant role in promoting cat adoption and the overall well-being of felines. There are over 200 cat cafes and lounges in the United States. Country Number of Cat Cafes Japan 150+ United States 200+ United Kingdom 70+ Australia 40+ Canada 30+ As the popularity of cat cafes continues to grow, more and more countries are embracing this innovative concept. Cat lovers and those interested in cat adoption can now find these delightful establishments in various corners of the globe, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions with cats and supporting the mission of rescue organizations. Cat Cafes and Rescues: A Symbiotic Relationship Cat cafes and rescue organizations have formed a mutually beneficial relationship. These unique establishments serve as temporary homes for adoptable cats, creating a stress-free environment where cats can interact with potential adopters. These comfortable and natural interactions significantly increase the chances of finding permanent homes for these cats, as they allow adopters to develop a personal connection with the feline residents. Adoptable Cats at Cat Cafes One of the main attractions of cat cafes is the opportunity to meet

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21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat

21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat If you are considering getting a new pet, here are some great reasons to adopt a cat over buying one from a breeder, or worse yet, buying a dog instead. Not only do cats make great pets, but adopting from a shelter means saving lives and joining a community that will thank you. Here are 21 reasons you should adopt a cat! 1. Saves A cat’s life Shelter cats and street cats are at immediate risk, and taking one of them in saves their life! You can stop a cat from remaining in the shelter for months and prevent them or other cats from being euthanized due to overcrowding. Animal shelter euthanasia rates doubled from 6% in 2021 to 15% in 2022. By adopting a shelter cat, you also free a spot for another cat to be placed in the shelter so that they, too, can find a home. 2. Helps with overpopulation Cats get killed in shelters, and adopting helps support these shelters. Having adoption support from the community allows rescue groups to invest more in TNR programs (community cat programs) and saving lives. The biggest reason not to purchase a kitten from a breeder is that so many cats are already out there! Over 500,000 cats are euthanized in shelters every single year (source). An unspayed female cat can birth over 15 offspring in just one year—and those kittens will begin to reproduce at just four months of age. Until we get this under control, it’s just not ethical to continue breeding cats. 3. They have a story Each cat in a shelter has their own unique story. Whether they were born outside or were abandoned by their previous owners—each one of them deserves a chance at a happy indoor life. Adopting is the best way to make sure cats get that second chance. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with unconditional love and companionship. 4. Wide variety of cats to choose Are you looking for a kitten or a purebred cat? That’s no reason to shop with a breeder! While we don’t think cat breed matters one bit, plenty of purebred cats are in the shelters waiting for homes. If you follow rescue groups in your area, you may be shocked to learn how many purebred cats even face the risk of euthanasia. 5. You’ll get to teach them human ways Some rescue cats have lived outside their whole life. You’ll get to teach them everything they know about indoor life. Learning about each other is a fun and rewarding experience that will strengthen your bond. 6. Good financial sense If you adopt from a breeder or pet store, you’ll likely have to pay more. You’ll also get less for your money in most cases. Shelters often put more into animals than they get back through adoption fees. They provide medical treatment, including vaccinations and a spay or neuter surgery. Many shelter cats are also microchipped, and the shelter will transfer your contact information to the chip upon adoption. Because there are so many cats in the shelter, they often have events like Clear The Shelters, Shelter Cat Month, or ASPCA’s National Adopt A Cat Month, where you can adopt for cheap or even free. While this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it does benefit you financially if you’re looking to adopt. 7. Fewer health problems than purebreds Shelter cats can have fewer health problems than purebred cats from breeders because they are not bred for specific traits. Purebred cats typically cost more, and their genes are often altered to create certain physical characteristics desired by breeders. This can lead to more health problems in purebred cats, such as heart defects or respiratory issues. In contrast, shelter cats are usually rescued from more natural backgrounds, meaning they are less likely to have these types of genetic-based health issues. Additionally, many shelters take proactive measures to ensure the health of their cats by providing screenings and treatments before adoption. This means that the majority of shelter cats will be healthier than a purebred cat from a breeder. 8. Adult Cats Have Known personalities Kittens are amazing and adorable, and we love them to death! But they’re also incredibly unpredictable. Will they like to cuddle or prefer to spend most of their time alone? Will they be super energetic well into old age or be more laid-back as adults? When you adopt an adult cat, you can better predict their personality, and they’re less likely to have drastic changes as they age than kittens, who are still growing into themselves. 9. Good for mental health Studies have shown that people who adopt cats have improved mental health (source). Many people say that caring for their cats encourages them to get up in the mornings and start their day. Cats also thrive on routine, which also helps people with mental illness—so you may develop a schedule for your kitty only to find that it also helps you! Plus, petting your cat is a great way to reduce anxiety! 10. Good for your physical health Cats can improve your physical health, too. For example, just 10 minutes of playing with your cat can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Petting and brushing cats also reduces stress levels and helps you stay calm. Plus, owning a cat might even reduce the risk of stroke! It’s also been reported that having a can also reduce the risk of childhood asthma and makes children less likely to develop cat allergies. (source) 11. Breeders Are unethical There are reputable breeders out there—but they’re few and far between. The majority are either kitten mills or backyard breeders, in it for the money and not the cats’ well-being. Backyard breeders can also have good intentions. Maybe they think their cat is adorable and want to breed kittens that look just like her, they’re trying to show their kids the miracle of life, or they truly think they’re doing

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Is TNR Ethical

Is TNR Ethical? Cats have multiple kittens in one litter and can get pregnant up to three times per year, which means stray cats can overpopulate quickly and significantly impact themselves and their surroundings. Many shelters are at capacity and unable to effectively intake stray or feral cats, which puts them at high risk of euthanasia. TNR is the ethical choice to reduce and manage populations of outdoor cats without euthanizing innocent cats and kittens. How TNR Helps Cats and The Community TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) is the process of trapping a feral cat, having it spayed or neutered, and releasing it back to its original environment. The cats also have a veterinarian check-up and receive vaccinations during this procedure. While the cat is under anesthesia during the spay, the cat’s right ear is tipped to indicate that they have been fixed and vaccinated. The cats are then returned quickly, sometimes within 24 hours, to their original cat colony. TNR cats are known as Community Cats! Trap, neuter, return (TNR) is used to manage the population of free-roaming cats because it is currently very difficult to shelter, foster, or adopt out all the stray cats due to their staggering numbers. It is estimated that there are between 30 – 40 million stray cats in the United States. Female cats can reproduce as soon as they hit five months old, and they can carry multiple litters per year. Even with a widescale trap and euthanize movement, which would be highly unethical, it would hardly dent overall feral cat populations. It is estimated that 50% of unowned stray cats would have to be removed annually to decrease the overall feral cat population (source). Feral domestic cats, on average, live approximately seven years outdoors. A cat occupying a territory will prevent other cats from moving in. Sterilizing the local cat community will prevent new litters of kittens for at least 5 – 7 years until the sterilized cats pass away and new cats move in to assume the territory. With widescale TNR efforts for stray cat management, animal control and cat advocates have been effectively managing feral cat populations, wild cats, and urban stray cats have declined over time. Why TNR Is Controversial Opponents of TNR state that it is unethical to release cats back to the environment they were found because they may not have adequate access to food and shelter and are at greater risk of infectious diseases. People are also opposed to TNR due to outdoor cats’ destruction of birds. It is estimated that cats kill approximately 1 – 4 billion birds annually in the United States (source). Of these bird deaths, two-thirds are caused by stray cats, and domestic cats cause one-third. Bird deaths attributed to stray cats accounted for more than any other unnatural source, such as collisions with vehicles, buildings, windmills, etc. However, TNR is the most humane option for stray cats when the alternative is euthanasia at an animal shelter. Approximately 3.2 million cats are abandoned at animal shelters annually in the United States (source). Of these, 520,000 are euthanized due to a lack of available homes. Some people also say TNR and ear-tipping cats are cruel. However, the intention is not cruel, and the Community Cat programs also care for the cats once released. The ear-tip procedure is conducted while the cat is under anesthesia during the spay or neuter, and it’s a quick and easy recovery. While no one likes ear-tipping a cat, the alternatives simply aren’t there. When the alternative to feral cat management is to kill feral cats, then TNR is the ethical choice. The Impact Of Feral Cat Overpopulation The most dreaded time of the year for animal shelters and humane societies is kitten season. Kitten season is usually from April to October and can be the hardest time of the year for rescue personnel. Animal shelters become overrun by kittens and are forced to make very difficult decisions. With insufficient fosters and forever homes available, the only thing left to do is start euthanizing kittens as fast as they are coming in. Unfortunately, this is a grim reality every season for animal shelters. A cat’s gestation period is two months, and she will have an average of four kittens per pregnancy. Each female cat could produce as many as 20 kittens per kitten season. It breaks the heart of every humane society and shelter employee to euthanize litters of kittens simply because there are too many feral or stray cats and not enough resources. Cats coming from a feral cat colony are not always friendly and well-socialized pet cats. It takes time to tame feral cats and train them to be domestic animals. The easiest way to prevent this tragedy is with responsible pet ownership and to spay and neuter outdoor cats through TNR programs. Alternatives To TNR When it comes to feral and stray cats that don’t appear friendly, sending them to a shelter is near certain death. So what are the alternatives to the TNR method for feral cat control? Here are a few alternatives to TNR that we do not recommend. Controlling Feral Cat Populations Here are the most effective ways to control stray cat populations. These solutions account for other animals, animal shelter challenges, and community cat populations and still effectively reduce feral cat populations. Conclusion TNR has a significant positive impact on outdoor cat populations, and it is the most humane way of dealing with the overpopulation of outdoor or feral cats. Nobody wants to be the one euthanizing countless litters of kittens or entire feral cat colonies. Modern cats belong indoors, but there aren’t enough cat sanctuaries for feral cats. If enough communities support TNR programs, the free-roaming cat population will decline over time to manageable numbers.

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