Do I need a reservation?

Walk-ins are welcome but you can make a reservation using the link above to ensure we have space available.  You can also call ahead to see how busy we are to ensure your snuggle time with the cats.  Our cats are super popular, especially on the weekends :)

 

Why is there an entry fee?

Our cats are amazing, but they don’t pay their own bills.  In addition to rent for the facility and overhead costs, we provide our cats with delicious food and the best care money can buy.  Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to provide the cats with the happy home they have here.  Admission is $12 plus tax per person for an hour of time.

 

How clean is it?

Super clean.  We follow cleaning procedures similar to hospitals and veterinary clinics and are cleaning and lint rollering very often.  Our cats are well-screened by our shelter and rescue partners to ensure they are healthy and we take VERY good care of them here.  With any animal facility, there is a small risk of zoonotic illnesses but we  work hard to make sure everyone stays healthy and sanitary. 

 

Can I adopt a cafe cat?

YES!  All of the cats at the café are adoptable and applications are completed at Catopia.  The cats have received all their medical care through Albuquerque Animal Welfare, Bernalillo County Animal Care Center, or one of our rescue group partners.  The adoption fees go straight to those agencies so they can save more cats. Adoptions can take a few days to process and some cats may have previous applicants.

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Can I bring my own cat?

Please do not bring your own cat - we are not allowed to have cat guests outside of the cats that the rescues and shelters send to us.  Please just bring photos of your sweeties to show us!

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Do the shelter and rescue groups you work with have additional cats I can meet?

Yes!  They would love for you to meet other animals in their care. Visit the websites for Albuquerque Animal Welfare, Bernalillo County Animal Care Center, High Desert Cat Rescue, Desert Paws NM, and HartNM.

 

What if I’m not a cat person but my friends want to meet there?

Not a cat person?  We’ve heard that you exist.  Give us a try - we think you will be pleasantly surprised and we believe that our cats can win you over.

 

Why is there an age policy?

Most cat cafes have a minimum age because kids are more likely to be injured from a liability insurance perspective. An injury and lawsuit could make it very difficult to keep liability insurance coverage and could easily end our ability to stay open. Groups with kids under 8 years old can purchase the 30-minute admission. Kids (and adults too!) need to be very well supervised and quiet and gentle with the kitties. Thanks for understanding! 

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How can I get involved?

We are currently fully staffed at Catopia, but would love your support with cat food and litter donations or other help for our kitties (see Ways to Help).  Our shelter and rescue partners can always use more volunteers too!  If you would like to volunteer to help more cats (and dogs too!) find homes, visit cabq.gov/pets or bernco.gov/animal-care-services.

 

Do you ever have kittens at the café?

We focus on adult cats to make sure they get plenty of love and support. We do have kittens come to Catopia especially during "kitten season" when many need homes. Kittens are usually adopted pretty quickly.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see when the new little ones arrive.

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Do you host birthday parties?

We are sorry we do not host birthday parties for young kids. We can arrange birthdays for older kids and adults, business meetings, or other private get togethers. Please email catopiacafe@gmail.com with information on what you are planning.

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When did cat cafés originate?

The first cat café opened in Taiwan in 1998 and the concept quickly spread throughout other countries.  The United States has more than 100 cat cafes offering a comfortable and clean environment for cats until they find their forever homes.

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I foster for AWD, BCACS, or one of the rescue groups you work with. Can my foster kittens come to Catopia for adoption once they are ready?

Please email catopiacafe@gmail.com if you foster for Albuquerque Animal Welfare or Bernalillo County Animal Care Center after confirming with your foster coordinator that the kittens can come to Catopia. If you foster for a rescue group we work with, please ask your rescue contact. The kittens must be spayed/neutered, microchipped, tested negative for FIV/FeLV, and they need to have three FVRCP vaccinations prior to coming to our group environment to help protect them from upper respiratory infections. They also need to be carefully screened for parasites, ringworm, URI symptoms, or other contagious problems that could affect the other cats at Catopia. Please include information on when your foster(s) will be ready to come and we will put you on the list and will send details.

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What should I do if I find a cat that seems to be homeless?

Please contact Albuquerque Animal Welfare (AWD) at  311 or www.cabq.gov/pets for advice. AWD or a veterinary office can scan the cat for a microchip to see if they have an owner and will contact the owner. If the cat does not have an owner, you can try to help find the cat a new home or ask AWD for advice.

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What should I do if I find kittens that seems to be homeless?

Please contact Albuquerque Animal Welfare at  311 or www.cabq.gov/pets  for advice. If you have found kittens that are too young to be without their mother, please do not relocate them without their mother. The mama cat may be out getting food and will return to the kittens. If you have observed long enough to know there is not a mother cat, call 311 for advice on what to do for the kittens. An Albuquerque Animal Welfare contact can give appropriate advice. If you have found older kittens or a single kitten that has been abandoned, please check the area and be sure there are no other kittens needing help.

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Do you take in cats that need homes?

Catopia Cat Cafe is not licensed as a rescue group and we do not take cats from individuals. We are a foster home that helps rescue and shelter cats get adopted.  If you need to rehome your cat or have found cats, please contact Albuquerque Animal Welfare at  www.cabq.gov/pets or one of the rescue groups in our city. Some tips for rehoming your cat:

• First, seek help from your veterinarian or a cat behaviorist to see if there is a way you can keep your cat. There are many online videos and information sites for cat behavior problems. You can call 311 to speak to Albuquerque Animal Welfare and get information on cat behavior specialists.

• If you must rehome your pet, first see if you can find the cat a home with family members. 

• Design a flyer and post it at your veterinary office, workplace, neighborhood, and other places. Designing an attractive flyer with good-quality photos of your cat and a detailed description is helpful. It should include the cat’s age, gender, and vaccination and spay/neuter status. You can make your cat more adoptable by having them vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered. Spay/neuter is very important to decrease the homeless population and to keep the cat healthy. 

• Post your pet’s photo and description on social media like your Facebook page, animal-related Facebook pages, Next Door, and Instagram. Cute photos and videos are helpful in getting potential adopters’ attention.

• Check out adoptapet.com and petfinder.com for information on rehoming a pet. Search google for other ideas.

• If you find someone interested in adopting your pet, screen the potential adopter carefully and ask a lot of questions. Search online for a sample application with questions to ensure your cat will have the type of home you’d like for them. Be very careful when giving up a pet that it is not to someone who will use the cat for dog-fighting bait or other cruel intentions. Use caution when considering unknown people. Hold the initial meeting in a public place after researching the individual and asking a lot of questions.

• If you are unable to find your pet a home, you can contact a local rescue group. Please keep in mind that you may not receive an answer because these volunteer-based groups are very overwhelmed with requests, especially during the spring and summer months.

• If there is no other option, you can visit cabq.gov/pets or call 311 for information on surrendering your pet to the Eastside or Westside shelter location by appointment. If your pet is not spayed or neutered, this option is important to prevent more homeless animals. If you do not live in Albuquerque, you can research the local shelter that accepts surrendered pets.

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Please email catopiacafe@gmail.com if you have other questions. Thanks!

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8001 Wyoming Blvd NE, Suite C-5, Albuquerque, NM  87113

505-508-4278, CatopiaCafe@gmail.com