Cats may be the second-most-common pet in Australia (after dogs), and are becoming increasingly more popular on TV and the internet, as well as often featuring as the main attraction in cafes and museums around the world.
There is even a Hello Kitty theme park in China and a dozen “cat islands” around Japan, where there are significantly more feline residents than people!
But you don’t have to travel across the world to get your feline fix. PETS has put together the top places of interest for cat lovers in Australia, as explored by our very own Caroline.
New South Wales
- Cat Protection Society, Newtown
The Cat Protection Society (CPS) is Sydney’s no-kill cat shelter and charity, helping thousands of felines (and the people who love them) each year through services including cat and kitten desexing and re-homing. For more information, visit catprotection.org.au or phone 02 9557 4818. - Cafe Purrfection, Roseville
Cafe Purrfection is Australia’s first ethical cat cafe. At Cafe Purrfection, you can enjoy the magic of “Cat-fection” while petting and cuddling trained and temperament-selected cats and kittens living at the Chatswood Cat Palace. Phone 02 9417 3329 to book your cuddle time with the cats in person. - Catmosphere Cafe, Surry Hills
If you’re a space nut and love cats, then Catmosphere Cafe is the place for you — you don’t even need a rocket ship to get there! To make a booking, visit catmospherecafe.com.
Victoria
- Cat Protection Society of Victoria, Melbourne
The Cat Protection Society of Victoria is a shelter and charity that was established in 1947 with the purpose to re-home cats and kittens. All cats available for adoption are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and come with a two-week health cover. They also go home with you in a free cat-carry box. For more information, visit catprotection.com.au or phone 03 8457 6500. - Cat Cafe Melbourne
Cat Cafe Melbourne is Australia’s first cat cafe and offers a fun, comfortable and relaxing environment surrounded by a number of friendly kitties from rescue shelters. For more information, phone 03 9642 8540.
South Australia
- Animal Welfare League South Australia
The Animal Welfare League (AWL) has two shelters in South Australia where you can meet and spend time with lost and abandoned animals that are available for adoption. For shelter and thrift shop locations, or for more information, visit awlsa.com.au - RSPCA South Australia
The RSPCA South Australia has three animal shelters — one in Adelaide (Lonsdale) and two regional facilities in Whyalla and Port Lincoln — that are home to many friendly, furry faces waiting to be adopted. For shelter locations, visit rspcasa.org.au/services/shelters and for more information on RSPCA thrift shops, go to rspcasa.org.au/getinvolved/thrift-shops/.
Western Australia
- Cat Haven, Shenton Park
Western Australia’s premier cat welfare shelter, Cat Haven, is the purrfect place to find a new feline companion. Rescuing cats has been the basis of Cat Haven’s work since 1961, as the organisation helps find homes for thousands of cats and kittens every year through adoption and foster caring. For more information, visit cathaven.com.au or phone (08) 9442 3600.
Tasmania
- Hobart Cat Cafe, Hobart
Looking for the purrfect place in Hobart to spend a lazy day relaxing with delicious food, great coffee and the cuddliest of cats? Then Hobart Cat Cafe is the spot for you! For more information, visit facebook.com/hobartcatcafe.
Australian Capital Territory
- RSPCA ACT shelter, Weston Creek
Part of Australia’s leading animal welfare organisation, RSPCA ACT cares for and rehomes more than 4500 domestic animals every year. The shelter also has a veterinary clinic and fully functioning retail store that sells pet-related products. For more information about the shelter, visit rspca-act.org.au or phone (02) 6287 8100.
Queensland
- Cat Cuddle Cafe, Red Hill
A 15-minute walk or short bus ride from the CBD, Brisbane’s Cat Cuddle Café’s sole purpose is rescuing and rehoming as many cats as possible. All cats at the cafe are available for adoption. You can book online at catcuddlecafe.com or by phone (07) 3189 2426. - RSPCA Qld
RSPCA Queensland has nine shelters and a small adoption centre in Mackay and Rockhampton. The organisation also owns two large World for Pets superstores in Brisbane and sells a range of pet products through all its shelters. For locations or more information, visit rspcaqld.org.au. - Animal Welfare
League Qld (AWLQ) The Animal Welfare League Qld (AWLQ) has five rehoming centres where you can view and spend time with animals available for adoption, plus three community veterinary clinics, one of which is in Hobart, Tasmania. For activities and locations of the shelters and op shops, visit awlqld.com.au.
Want more? Grab a copy of PETS Magazine at your local newsagent or online at http://www.universalshop.com.au/.
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