Article and Photos by Helene Cavallo
The Orlando Cat Café, founded in 2016 by owner Sandra Cagan, was the first Cat Café to open in the state of Florida.
Located at 532 Cagan Park Avenue, suite 201-203, Clermont, it partners with SPCA Florida to bring adorable cats to the cafe for adoption. Coffee, tea and pastries can be bought from Minch Coffee and brought into the cat play area.
After a small entry fee, visitors can relax on comfy chairs while watching the antics of the cats that are wandering and playing in the cat play area; and yes, these adorable cats are available for adoption. A reservation is strongly encouraged at least one day before visiting to make sure there is availability. This can be done online with instructions regarding pricing and rules to be followed. There is also a viewing window in the coffee shop.
Many of the adorable cats available for adoption are featured online under orlandocatcafe/adopt-a-cat/. Anyone interested in adoption is encouraged to spend time with each cat of interest and the staff will assist with answering questions. There is a “Getting to Know You” form online that can be printed and brought to the Cat Café to be filled out at that time. Information is provided online informing prospective adopters what they will need to bring with them in order to adopt a cat, as well as adoption fees.
Special fun events are found online such as Kids’ Hour, High Tea with the Kitties, Yoga with Cats, and painting classes, including Palettes and Pets where you can paint your own pair of wine glasses featuring adorable cats!
Volunteers are always needed and information as well as a Volunteer Application can be found online at orlandocatcafe.com/ways-to-help/#volunteer.
There are many ways to support such as buying memberships, items of clothing cups, magnets, and stickers, all with adorable logos under “Shop,” and there is an Amazon Wish List under “Ways to Help.”
As of June 2024, a franchise model is being offered. Information can be found on how to own a Cat Café Franchise at orlandocatcafefranchise.com.
In honor of National Pet Fire Safety Day, The Orlando Cat Café has donated Pet Oxygen Masks to the Lake County Fire Department to aid firefighters in saving lives of pets from a fire. These masks come in different sizes for dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, etc.
To learn more, visit website: The Orlando Cat Cafe
