Cat café a purr-fect treat for Valentine’s Day

The Brandon Humane Society is hosting its first-ever cat café at a local yoga studio on Valentine’s Day.

The first three time slots are fully booked at Luna Muna Yoga Studio, but more could be added if cat lovers pounce on the idea.

Humane Society executive director Tracy Munn said the studio, located on 30 Fieldstone Cres., has partnered with the shelter to host cat yoga events in the past.

However, sometimes people can feel lonely on Valentine’s Day, so Munn and her niece — who owns the studio — thought it would be a great idea for people to be surrounded by whiskers and warm drinks and refreshments instead.

“What better thing to do is there than give something back and get to cuddle a cat?” Munn said.

“It’s really good for your health,” she said, adding that watching kittens run around and play makes for a great day.

At least 10 adoptable kittens will be at the event.

“I mean cats are wonderful too, but the kittens are fun … They play and they crawl on top of you, and they just make you feel good,” Munn said.

The Brandon Humane Society has a total of 35 felines in the shelter with about five in foster homes until they get adopted.

People who sign up to attend the event must make a minimum $15 donation to help cover the cost of food and vet bills at the shelter, she said.

“Our vet bills average around $70,000 a year. Our food is about $50,000 (per year),” Munn said.

Vet bills are very expensive, with procedures like dental care costing $1,000 or more.

Munn hopes the cat café will lead to people falling purr-fectly in love with a kitten and making the decision to adopt it. She also hopes it may prompt someone to sign up as a volunteer.

Vaccinations and spay and neuter costs are included in the adoption fee.

All the kittens are very friendly, healthy and happy, Munn said.

“This is just going to be a little, happy kitten love fest,” she said.

“Come with an open heart and come and have fun.”

Chelsea McCrimmon, the yoga studio owner, said she loves doing cat yoga, but understands how some people may just want to have a chance to relax and hold kittens.

“It’s just a good time for the cats to be, like, socialized and maybe people will meet one that they decide they want to take home,” she said.

“They make the best companions, and the more cats we can put into homes, the more cats we can rescue.”

The time slots starting at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon are completely booked, with 14 people in each slot, but McCrimmon said she will likely increase the number of time slots to accommodate people who would like to join.

Tim Hortons is donating coffee and Timbits and Wendy’s is donating breakfast sandwiches and burgers.

Anyone interested in signing up can contact McCrimmon at chelsea@lunamuna.ca.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com