Everyone needs a furry friend at times. I know I do, that’s why I tend to visit animal cafes quite a bit, especially ones with cats. In Singapore, you might not be able to find exotic animals such as foxes, raccoons, wallabies (just to name a few) like you can find overseas, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have cute pet cafes scattered all across our tiny island.
But as much as I adore relaxing with a cup of coffee and enjoying my time with these fur babies, I can’t help but think of the ethics that come into play when it comes to animal cafes. In one BBC article I came across, it stated that cat cafes were not a suitable environment for cats because they were in a confined space with a revolving number of people, which is not a stable environment for them. A large number of cats were also not recommended to be kept together.
Animal cafes are more than likely to attract animal lovers, but I would like to caution those patronising these cafes to treat these animals gently and make sure that you do not provoke them. Please practice caution when feeding them, and do not force feed them if they are unwilling to eat.
Let’s all be kind to animals.
Chow Cute Cafe
Set up by pawrents themselves, Chow Cute is a combination of a pet hotel, grooming centre, daycare, and cafe. Whether you have a furkid or not, you’re bound to have a lot of fun with the Chow Chows there. However, please be careful, as Chow Chows usually are wary of strangers. Approach them gently and make new fur friends!
Chow Cute Cafe also sells an extensive selection of coffees and other small treats. Pair your gelato (S$6.80++) with a cup of coffee as you watch these adorable furkids play outside.
Address: 16 The Oval, Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore 797873
Opening hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am-10pm
Closed on Mondays
Contact: 6974 7916
Website | Facebook | Instagram
The Cat Cafe
What I love about The Cat Cafe is the fact that their cafe is filled with a bunch of adopted kitties. The founders of this cafe adopted 15-20 rescue cats and gave them a home. Their current aim is to make The Cat Cafe a place for adoption of cats in our cafe to find their true home one day. For now though, you can enjoy a cup of freshly-brewed coffee, tea, and assorted pastries as you dine and play with these furballs.
The entry fee is S$16 for a 2 hour slot, which entitles you to a full day of play and a soft drink. They also have a recently-opened second outlet at The Rail Mall.
Address: 241B Victoria St, Singapore 188030
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-10pm
Monday 3pm-10pm
Contact: 6338 6815
Website | Facebook | Instagram
We Are The Furballs (WTF)
Known as Singapore’s first dog-petting cafe, We Are The Furballs (WTF) encourages its patrons to cuddle their adorable doggos. If you’re worried about the safety of their dogs, fret not. Due to their safety restrictions, only children 10 years and above are allowed to enter, and they are required to be supervised by an adult at all times. Sip a cup of coffee as you interact with these playful doggos!
The entry fee is S$11.90 per person (above 21 years old), and this entitles you to 1.5 hours of play from Monday to Thursday and a free drink. If you’re below 21 years old and a local student, you only have to pay S$10.90. If you exceed 1.5 hours, you have to pay S$3.50 for subsequent half-hour blocks.
Fees vary for weekends and public holidays. For weekends and eve of public holidays, you have to pay S$13.50 for the first 1.5 hours and S$4 for subsequent half-hour blocks. For public holidays, you have to pay S$14.50 for the first 1.5 hours and S$4 for subsequent half-hour blocks. These fees entitle you to a free drink as well.
Address: #07-07, Bugis+, 201 Victoria St, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 1pm-10pm
Friday and Saturday 12.30pm-10.30pm
Contact: 6509 1186
Cat Cafe Neko no Niwa
The first cat cafe in Singapore, Cat Cafe Neko no Niwa’s founders are big advocates for cat therapy, and the joy and relaxation it brings. In this cafe, they have only adopted kitties, wanting to put forth their message of adopt, don’t buy. These founders wish to dispel cat myths such as “cats are dirty, noisy, and aloof”. How are they doing that? By creating an opportunity for patrons of their cafe to spend time and play with their kitties.
Rates go at S$12 for the first hour. For the subsequent half hours, you have to pay another S$5. They have a 3 hour special rate which goes at S$24. If you wish to spend a whole day with them, the Whole Day Pass costs S$32. If you’re a student, you’re entitled to a free hot chocolate.
Address: 54A Boat Quay, Level 2, Singapore 049843
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 11am-9pm
Closed on Tuesday
Contact: 6536 5319
Website | Facebook | Instagram
CATOPIA Cafe
Catopia was once a boarding house for kitties, but it has been recently transformed into a cat cafe with 22 resident cats. Due to COVID-19, the ex-cat boarding house lost money, and the founder decided to turn the business into a cafe. Most of their resident kitties are rescues too! Taking the safety of their cats into account, Catopia has a set of rules for its customers so as to not cause any distress for its kitties.
The entry fee is S$12 for an hour, which includes a free drink. If you wish to stay another hour, a subsequent fee of S$6 will be charged.
Address: 46A Dunlop St, Singapore 209375
Opening hours: Monday 4pm-9pm
Tuesday to Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am-8pm
Cafe is closed from 4pm-5pm from Tuesday to Sunday due to cat’s napping time
Contact: 9388 8893
