At Catnip Coffee in central Berlin, Mister Snuggles sits regally on a chair, calmly observing the café's bustling activity.
Across from him, a young woman beams, enjoying the company of the black-and-white house cat over coffee.
"Little Mister Snuggles, my darling, immediately jumped onto my lap," recalls Richard Gottlob, co-owner of the café. With his partner, Patrick Frauenheim, Gottlob has created a space where humans and felines can share moments of companionship.
The café is home to Mister Snuggles, Simba, Furby, and Princess Junko -- four rescue cats who spend their days playing, lounging, and enjoying affection from visitors.
"We offer people a cosy atmosphere and the cats a comfortable, enriching habitat," Gottlob says.
Gottlob and Frauenheim opened Catnip Coffee almost a year ago after drawing inspiration from cat cafés in Hong Kong and Singapore, where the trend originated years ago.
While intrigued by the concept, the pair were disheartened by practices they observed abroad. "In Singapore, we were shocked. Too many cats were kept in too small a space, chosen mostly for their appearance," says Gottlob.
In their Berlin café, the cats' well-being takes precedence. The feline residents have access to a private retreat via a cat flap, allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle whenever needed.
The café owners carefully selected shelter cats whose personalities suit the café environment, ensuring they are sociable and not easily frightened.
Before opening, the owners underwent training on proper feline care, and their facility was inspected by the local veterinary office.
Visitors are introduced to house rules, which prohibit holding, chasing or feeding the cats. "If someone ignores the rules, we warn them once or twice, and then they're asked to leave," Gottlob states firmly.
Despite such precautions, animal welfare groups remain sceptical about the cat café trend. Nadia Wattad, spokesperson for the German Animal Welfare Association, warns that cafés may not always align with cats' needs.
Veterinarian Sandra Giltner echoes these concerns, noting that signs of stress in cats can be subtle. While some cats may thrive in a dynamic environment, others may find it overwhelming. "Each case is different," says Giltner.
While cat cafés can sometimes strike a balance, puppy yoga faces far harsher criticism. "From an animal welfare perspective, it's an absolute disaster," says Giltner.
But alpaca hikes, on the other hand, receive a more positive assessment from experts. "If the group is quiet and the hike is conducted responsibly, there's little to object to under animal welfare laws," says Giltner.
At Catnip Coffee in Berlin, the well-being of the resident cats is the top priority, according to owner Gottlob. While the café offers a warm, inviting space for animal lovers, it is not a petting zoo. "For me, this is the cats' living room, and we are all visitors," he explains.