Cats Herd You

Laugh. Learn. Love cats.

  • Home
  • Safety
  • Wellness
  • Rescue
  • Reviews
  • Life With Cats
  • About
  • Media Friendly
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Archives for Tourism

When Hello Kitty visits Your Town

Food trucks have been a big deal for a while. Here in Orlando, they were really, really popular a couple years ago, and there are fewer now.

But who could resist checking out a food truck with a cat theme? Not me! So I went out to see the Hello Kitty Cafe food truck.

Hello Kitty Cafe truck

Unlike most food trucks I have seen, this is more of an oversized, stretched van. Or a small camper. They don’t cook anything inside, so it doesn’t have the same size inside that food trucks that include various kitchen equipment.

They sell bottles of water shaped like bows and various cookies to eat. In addition to their foodstuffs, they also sell mugs and t-shirts.

Hello Kitty Cafe truck menu

I wanted to buy some of the special “Hello Kitty for President” cookies they promised to have, but I hadn’t counted on the size of the crowd. There were hundreds and hundreds of people lined up before the truck even opened for the morning!

crowd waiting for Hello Kitty Cafe truck

I couldn’t spend my whole day waiting to buy a cookie, so I had to leave emptyhanded.

On the way back to my car, I spotted this car parked nearby. I suspect the owner of this car did stand through that whole line to buy special Hello Kitty memorabilia!

Miss Kitty car

If you want to see the Hello Kitty  Cafe food truck near you, check out their upcoming events calendar on Facebook.

Share Email this to someone
email
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

November 2, 2016 Filed Under: Tourism 13 Comments

The Closest Cat Cafe to Walt Disney World

Orlando has been waiting eagerly for a cat cafe for a long time, and it has been a long time since the original groundbreaking and open house party for the Orlando Cat Cafe. But the wait is over, and I was fortunate to visit the cat cafe near Walt Disney World less than a week after it opened.

Orlando Cat Cafe sign

The first confusing thing about the Orlando Cat Cafe is that you don’t enter through the cat cafe itself. That door on the front is sealed to prevent escaping cats.

Orlando Cat Cafe exterior

Instead, you enter through Axum Coffee, next door. At first glance, Axum looks like a regular coffee shop inside.

Axum Coffee interior at Orlando Cat Cafe

But you quickly notice a large window into the storefront next door where the cats are.

Orlando Cat Cafe window from Axum Coffee

After you pay for your entrance at the coffee bar, you get a sticker to wear that identifies your assigned time with the cats. When it is your assigned time, you enter a door into vestibule between the two storefronts. The door is so close to the front of the coffee shop that it is hard for the staff to control access to it while also tending the coffee bar. That probably wasn’t thought out as well as they hoped.

Once you enter the tiny room between the two storefronts, you get instructions from a staffer from South Lake Animal League about the cats: no chasing, no picking up, no flash photography.

Orlando Cat Cafe admission door

After I entered the cat area, there was a nearly-immediate demonstration of why they used the vestibule for entry and exit as a Siamese-type cat who was in the cafe made a break for the door only to be caught by the staffer.

Orlando Cat Cafe jailbreak

For anyone who wasn’t listening carefully, the rules of the cafe are posted on the wall inside, too.

o_cat_cafe_12_wm

The cafe serves as an off-site adoption center for the South Lake Animal League, so they provide a way to sign up for newsletters from the organization on site.

Orlando Cat Cafe interior

There is also a bulletin board that tells you more about the adoptable cats currently in the cafe. There were two cats who had just arrived, and their fliers weren’t up yet.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable cat flyers

Cat litter is tidily kept out of sight in a staff-only area, and cats can access it through a cat door. I’m not sure why the symbol for the male cat has no eyes. Maybe he is mid-blink.

Orlando Cat Cafe litterbox door

The place makes really good use of vertical space on the walls, with walkways, shelves, and cubbyholes mounted directly to the walls to make space for the cats to rest or observe.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable black cat

There were also some very nice cat trees scattered around the room for the cats to climb. This little guy really wasn’t sure about making the leap down to the next level of the cat tree.

Orlando Cat Cafe brown tabby kitten jumping down

Since it was mid-afternoon, I caught a lot of cats during naps.

o_cat_cafe_008_wm

While I was visiting, a volunteer from the animal rescue league arrived to give the staffer on site a lunch break. The volunteer was a retiree, and I thought it was interesting that she was wearing a “Team Dog” t-shirt. Thankfully, the cats couldn’t read to be offended by it.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable black kitten

While I was taking a photo of this kitten, a retired woman with no sticker indicating she had paid to be in the cafe let herself in the door. As I mentioned above, the location of the entry door isn’t well-controlled in the coffeeshop, and that makes it fairly easy for someone to wander in. The retiree asked the volunteer if she had to pay if she just wanted to look around. “If you’re going to stay,” the volunteer replied.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable brown tabby cat

A moment later, the retired lady asked, “So are they all declawed and everything?” It’s a good thing my back was to the conversation, because I am sure my expression wasn’t neutral. The dog-shirted volunteer said something about only if they arrive declawed. What a missed opportunity for education!

The retired lady wandered out and I continued taking photos. A few minutes later, she was back, this time with her husband, who also didn’t have on a sticker indicating he had paid admission, either. They circulated around a few more minutes before leaving. I’m sure the newly-opened cafe will find a better way to monitor the entrance door, or work with the volunteers on how ask people to leave who haven’t paid their fee, but it was interesting to see the early growing pains of the place.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable black and white cat

The original staffer emerged from the back room a little later, and I took the opportunity to ask her about whether they had seen adoptions from the cafe yet. “We’re still going through lots of applications,” she told me.

Orlando Cat Cafe adoptable colorpoint cat

I think this could become a valuable adoption location for the rescue organization, and I recognize that when I was there, they had only been open 5 days. It takes longer than that to get everyone trained in the processes and procedures.

In the meantime, it’s a fun place to visit to say hello to the cats available for adoption. Who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love! I’m sure it will also be popular with Disney visitors who miss their cats back home, since it is the closest cat cafe to Walt Disney World.

Orlando Cat Cafe interior signage

Just be careful when you leave. They already have one escape artist cat, and you don’t want to be the one who lets her out!

Update: The Orlando Cat Cafe announced their first adoptions today, including one of the cats pictured in this article.

Getting to the Orlando Cat Cafe

Although the Orlando Cat Cafe says they are “about 4 miles west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” that distance is only useful if you are a bird. The rest of us have to use streets!

Orlando Cat Cafe sign

How Far is It?

The closest Disney resort to the Orlando Cat Cafe is Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the drive is 7.9 miles, so walking isn’t a realistic option to see the cats.

If you are staying somewhere else on Disney’s vast property, the distance could be much farther. The Contemporary Resort, close to Magic Kingdom, is a 14.5 mile drive.

Resorts around SeaWorld are about 16 miles and Universal-area resorts are around 19 miles away, so set aside travel time accordingly.

Transportation Options to the Orlando Cat Cafe

The easiest way to get to the Orlando Cat Cafe is to drive. If you arrived on vacation by air and didn’t rent a car, you’ll need ground transportation. Taxi service in Orlando tends to be expensive, and the biggest local transportation company’s fare estimator says that a trip from Disney’s Contemporary resort to the Orlando Cat Cafe will cost a $39.06 fare one-way.

cats drive on vacation. photo credit: depositphotos/funny_cats

A less-expensive option is Uber, which estimates  $15-19 each way to get from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the Orlando Cat Cafe. If you haven’t tried Uber before, you can sign up through this invitation link to get $10 free credit for your first ride with them (disclosure: I also get credit if you do).

The least expensive option is using the local Lynx bus system, at $2 each direction. Plan for up to two hours travel time due to transfers. You can use the Plan a Trip function on the Lynx site to see the bus schedules available for your visit.


Photo credit: depositphotos/funny_cats

Share Email this to someone
email
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

September 26, 2016 Filed Under: Tourism 22 Comments

Visiting Koneko, a Japanese Cat Cafe in NYC

As I mentioned on Monday, my trip to New York City included visiting a cat cafe, Koneko. In fact, I ended up visiting it twice!

A visit to Koneko, a Cat Cafe in NYC

I scheduled my arrival to NYC to be early in the day so I could meet up with a local friend who is also a cat lover, and we went to Koneko together. That was my very first cat cafe visit. The next day, I went back with the rest of the BlogPurr event attendees. Photos on this page are from both visits.

Walking down Clinton Street on the lower east side of New York, a modest sign above one storefront hints that there are cats inside.

Sign, Koneko cat cafe NYC

The overhead sign is so modest that when the cat cafe is open to the general public, a sidewalk sign beckons you inside with the magic words: adoptable kitties.

Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC Sign

The cafe itself is a single storefront’s width, serving wonderful coffee and tasty, Japanese snacks. Try the green cheesecake… it isn’t wasabi pie, even though I joked that it might be.

Interior of Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

All of the decor is themed around the real guests of honor at the cat cafe, like the sign on the restroom.

Restroom sign, Koneko cat cafe NYC

At the back of the cafe is a glass-fronted cattery. The glass separates the food-serving area from the area of the cafe reserved for the cats.

Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

When you enter the vestibule for the cattery, you take off your shoes and just wear your socks. If you don’t have socks, the cafe supplies slippers. This prevents cross-contamination of the cattery area. You also learn about the important rules for visiting the cat cafe.

Rules sign, Koneko cat cafe NYC

Inside the cattery, 20 adoptable cats from Angellicle Cats Rescue roam free in three different areas. Or instead of roaming, many of them sleep.

Aditi, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

It’s amazing how relaxed some of the cats are with strangers wandering through. These adoptable cats will be remarkably well-socialized when they go home with new families.

Fifi, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

Some people would think that having 20 cats in a confined space would be dirty or smelly, but the cattery is spotless. Cat litter boxes are tucked discreetly away behind cat doors labeled to identify what is on the other side. I doubt the cats actually read the signage, but it’s really cute.

Litterbox door, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

There are two separate indoor areas of the cafe, connected by a stairway. The cats don’t have to take the stairway meant for the humans. They have their own, private opening between floors. Downstairs, they can use wall-mounted shelving to make their way down from their private catwalk.

Hikaru hops down wall-mounted shelves, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

There are plenty of places for cats to scratch, stretch, and engage with visitors.

Hikaru, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

There are also plenty of high shelves and places the cats can get away from visitors if they aren’t in the mood for being bothered.

Paris, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

This cat, Cello, had just arrived at Koneko that day and was already playing with visitors.

Cello, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

The cafe’s outdoor catio has an impressive mural, representing lots of cats from pop culture.

Mural at Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

More cats seem to congregate on the catio than indoors, enjoying the fresh air.

Paris, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

Outside, they do some of the same things they do indoors, like sleep.

Tiger-T, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

But the real attraction is the falling leaves and pigeons that land on the fire escapes above.

Cats watching birds, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

The catio keeps the cats safe while they enjoy the fresh air and the sights.

Tiger-T, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

What better way to fall in love with an adoptable cat then watching her chatter at birds?

Scoop, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

While cat cafes started as ways for people without cats to spend time with cats, being able to meet cats in the cafe who you can fall in love with and bring home is a wonderful alternative to cats spending extended time in cages while they wait to find homes.

Robin, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

In fact, during my visit to Koneko, the staff told me that this cat was getting ready to go to his new adoptive home that evening. Coffee, cats, and happy endings all under one roof!

Duke, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC

Getting to Koneko

Koneko is on the lower east side of Manhattan in New York City. The closest subway stop is the 2nd Ave stop of the F line. From there, walk east on Houston Street and turn right on Clinton Street. You will find Koneko at 26 Clinton Street. Look for the sign with their emoticon-style logo over the door.

Fifi, Koneko Cat Cafe, NYC


Disclosure: My travel costs to the BlogPurr event were paid by Merck Animal Health.

Share Email this to someone
email
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

September 21, 2016 Filed Under: Tourism 29 Comments

Cats at the Crab Shack

Over Labor Day weekend, I visited the Savannah area. One of the places I went was an area seafood restaurant on Tybee Island, The Crab Shack, that doesn’t just feature amazing seafood. It also features lots of resident cats.

One of the first things you see when you arrive at The Crab Shack is a pool with alligators in it. They work with an organization in Florida to care for baby alligators until they reach four feet, then they go back in exchange for new, little alligators. This kitty was snoozing beside the alligator pool. Don’t worry, the alligators are on the other side of the chain link fence in the background!

black sleepy cat at The Crab Shack

The hostess stand at the front of the restaurant has a sign letting patrons know that the cats are cared for and shouldn’t be fed. Do you think the dozen resident cats ever read the sign?

"Don't feed the cats" sign at The Crab Shack

The restaurant was once a fish camp, and seating includes screened-in areas (no cats allowed!) and a deck that overlooks Chimney Creek. What self-respecting cat could resist checking out the potential handouts in a place like this, especially when most of it is enticing seafood?

The Crab Shack deck seating

We were there at the beginning of lunchtime on the day after tropical storm Hermine came through, but the cats weren’t bothered by the extra debris on the deck or the thin early-lunch crowd. Patches the tortoiseshell came to check out what we were eating.

Patches, tortoiseshell cat at The Crab Shack

It’s pretty obvious that despite the signs asking patrons not to feed the cats, some of the cats have learned to really work the dining area. It must be impossible to put a kitty like Pretty Girl on a diet under those circumstances!

gray and white fat cat The Crab Shack

Especially when she gives humans The Look. She really knows how to melt human hearts.

gray and white fat cat at The Crab Shack

Signage explains that the cats at The Crab Shack are “not feral, they are family.” Perhaps that explains why the majority of them aren’t ear-tipped like feral cats.

"The Crab Shack cats are not feral" sign

The way the cats are clearly relaxed around people is another clue that they aren’t feral. Smoky was napping half in and half out of the shade, ignoring strangers walking past.

gray tabby cat lounges at The Crab Shack

Cat shelters near the entrance to the gift shop have food available for cats who aren’t really into seafood.

The Cat Shack at The Crab Shack

Mr. Puddy wouldn’t even look up from his meal outside the Cat Shack shelter for a photo.

brown tabby cat eats kibble at The Crab Shack

While Boris the big Russian Blue snoozed inside the shelter, along with some leaves that probably blew in during the previous day’s storm.

gray cat snoozes at The Crab Shack

By the time we left, Mr. Puddy was in the parking lot to see us off and welcome more lunch-hour visitors.

gray tabby cat at The Crab Shack

When you’re far from home and your own cats, visiting a place with friendly cats is always fun, but the Crab Shack cats were a special bunch. I look forward to returning to see them again!

Share Email this to someone
email
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

September 12, 2016 Filed Under: Tourism 17 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Read Ashton’s Story in Rescued, Volume 2

These pawtographed books support Candy's Cats, who work tirelessly to find homes for cats in Florida.

Rescued, Volume 2: The Healing Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes. Proceeds from authographed copies benefit Candy's Cats.


Outside the US, contact us for shipping to your location.

Read Us by Email

Don't miss a thing! Cats delivered to your email.

Privacy Policy












Archives

All Rights Reserved

Articles and images on this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Please contact me if you are interested in reprinting or in having me write something unique for you.

Disclaimer

There are no veterinarians here. All health-related posts are the result of research and observation, but educational information is not a substitute for visiting your veterinarian. Do not self-diagnose your cat. For more information, see our disclaimer.

Policies

Disclosure Statement
Privacy Policy
Commenting Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Sometimes Cats Herd You · All Rights Reserved