Catopia is thought for its sold-out “dogopia” pop-up canine cafe occasions.
Animal cafes are sometimes marketed as a enjoyable expertise for animal lovers, however one Richmond News reader was left “disgusted” after visiting a preferred cat cafe.
Lorri Johnson took her youngsters to Catopia, a cat cafe on Minoru Boulevard nestled between the Hilton and Marriott motels close to Richmond Centre, again in October.
“It was completely filthy, with cat poo on the partitions and furnishings,” she recalled.
Johnson added there was no washroom for buyer use throughout her go to, and though she was capable of wash her fingers on the sink, there was no cleaning soap or paper towels.
When the News visited the cat cafe final month, a pungent odour may very well be smelled from the doorway, which consisted of two glass doorways.
Customers are required to vary out of their sneakers and placed on slippers earlier than coming into the cafe via the second glass door, the place at the least eight cats have been seen roaming round freely.
Catopia prices $17 per hour to hang around with the cats, and though it’s known as a cat cafe, meals just isn’t ready on the premises.
However, prospects are allowed to order drinks and desserts from First Bite Richmond, a dessert store subsequent door.
The store can also be recognized for its sold-out pop-up canine cafe occasions, which function pets belonging to the proprietor’s associates.
Catopia is registered within the City of Richmond’s business listing as a retail pet provide retailer the place prospects are charged in response to time to “keep and play with the cats.”
Apart from hygiene considerations, Johnson additionally discovered the cats have been “not in nice form” throughout her go to.
Most had matted hair and one cat appeared to have a problem with its eye, stated Johnson, who added there was “additionally cat poo in one of many cats’ fur.”
She recalled solely seeing one bowl of water and there was no meals for the cats, who “went loopy” when supplied a tune puree deal with that Johnson purchased from the shop.
Concerned in regards to the ethics of the business and the way they deal with the animals, Johnson in the end filed complaints with BC SPCA in addition to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
Cat cafe denies mistreatment, BC SPCA investigating
When contacted by the News, Catopia denied having obtained complaints about hygiene and the cafe and the remedy of the animals.
According to Catopia, the whole retailer is disinfected and cleaned earlier than opening, which incorporates cleansing the room and litter field.
The retailer is sprayed with pet-safe deodorizer after cleansing and the shop is disinfected with an answer of veterinary disinfectant combined with water after every buyer leaves.
Apart from cleansing, employees are additionally tasked with monitoring the well being of the animals “day by day,” reads Catopia’s assertion.
“We additionally will take cats to (the) vet to do bodily examination and deworm.”
Although Catopia just isn’t a regulated meals premises, a VCH spokesperson confirmed it did obtain a criticism about meals security at Catopia.
“We’re working with the homeowners to make sure meals just isn’t being served within the institution,” reads the assertion from VCH.
In the assertion to the News, Catopia confirmed whereas prospects can order their very own meals, employees won’t choose up orders for patrons.
BC SPCA, which manages the Richmond Animal Shelter, additionally confirmed that they’ve obtained complaints about Catopia.
“We are conscious of previous and ongoing considerations at Catopia and we’re presently investigating the power,” stated BC SPCA Richmond supervisor Krista Shaw.
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