Calgary's 1st cat cafe to bring adoptable kitties to Kensington

How about a cat-puccino or a steaming cup ofpurr-colated coffee to start your day?

Calgary's first cat cafe is set to open in Kensingtonin late spring.

It's a place to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eatand, for a small fee, snuggle with an adoptable cat in the adjacent room.

"If you happen to fall in love with one of the furry felines, we can help you out," Regal Cat Cafe co-owner Tia Wieler told CBC's The Calgary Eyeopener.

She and her husband, Kevin, have partnered withthe MEOW Foundation, who will provide allthe cuddly cats and ensurethey're in "tip-top shape," Wielersaid.

Trained adoption specialists will be on site to help facilitate the process.

In keeping with health codes and permits, the cafe area with food and drink service will beseparated from the "Kitty Kingdom" by a glass wall.

Visitors will be able to munch and sip inside the play area, where they'll find furry felines and their scratching posts, elaborate walkways, climbing structures andtoys.

Deciding on a name

The Wielers were inspired to open their own cat cafe after watching an episode of The Amazing Racein which contestants stopped at one in Bangkok.

As the Wielersresearched similar businessesaround the world, they found themselves struggling to come up with a unique name that hadn't already been taken.

Eventually, they decided on Regal Cat Cafe.

"In our house, cats are king, and we wanted to extend that out to the community," Wielersaid.

Regal Cat Cafe will be located at 303 10 St.N.W. The Wielers will determine what fee to charge closer to the cafe's opening date in late spring.

With files from Monty Kruger and The Calgary Eyeopener.