Overview

• The RSPCA and Cats Protection claim that cat cafes create stressful environments for cats due to enforced proximity to other cats and strangers.
• Concerns include restricted natural behaviors, limited access to outdoor spaces, and inadequate living conditions, such as small pens and shopping center locations.
• The charities are pushing for local authorities to stop issuing new licenses or renewing existing ones as part of a gradual phase-out plan.
• They are also calling for the UK and Welsh governments to establish a list of activities deemed harmful to animal welfare, including cat cafes.
• Some operators, like Lauren Pears of Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, advocate for regulation and nationwide welfare standards instead of a complete ban.