Cat cafe with a rescue partner

Cat lovers, students, couples, families with older children, tourists, and people who cannot have a pet at home. Groups booking birthday or team events also pay.

Entry or session fees for cat time, plus drinks, snacks and merchandise. Private bookings and events add extra income. Many cafes also take adoption-related donations or fees on behalf of their rescue partner.

• Comfortable handling cats and reading their behaviour
• Customer service and cafe basics
• Budgeting and managing a lease
• Working well with volunteers and a rescue partner

• Food permit and inspections from your public health unit. Many require a clear separation between cats and food preparation areas, so check the layout rules first
• Zoning, business licence and any animal-related bylaws in your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance that covers animals, plus cover for bites and scratches and allergies
• Cat welfare: vet access, quiet rest areas, cleaning routines and limits on guest numbers
• A long commercial lease and high fixed costs, so check how much you need to cover rent in slow winter months
• Check your provincial rules on hiring staff, including WCB/WSIB coverage, and French-language rules if you are in Quebec

Startup costs are typically estimated around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your lease, fit-out, kitchen and cat lounge setup. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $12,000 to $45,000, depending on your location, visitor numbers, menu and events.

Check food permits and inspections with your public health unit, including layout rules separating cats from food preparation. Check zoning, business licence and animal bylaws, insurance that covers animals, WCB or WSIB coverage when hiring, and French-language rules if you are in Quebec.

Estimates start at around 40 hours a week. A long commercial lease means high fixed costs, so check how much you need to cover rent in slow winter months. Cat welfare also needs vet access, rest areas and cleaning routines.