About Us
Welcome to Munchies’ Craft Cat Café, a calm and cozy space where cats live, rest, and interact with people on their own terms. Our café follows a simple philosophy: this is the cats’ home first – we are their guests.
At Munchies’ Craft Cat Café, every cat you meet has been rescued and given a permanent, loving home. We are not a rehoming centre; our cats are here to stay, living a peaceful and enriching life.
What Makes Us Different
We believe a cat café should be a peaceful café that cats call home – not a petting zoo or a tourist attraction. Visitors come to enjoy great food and coffee in a relaxed, cat-friendly space. If a cat chooses to approach you, that’s a lovely bonus, but interaction is always up to them.
Our environment is designed around the cats’ wellbeing: soft lighting, calm music, and plenty of high shelves, hiding spots, and quiet zones. Every guest helps maintain this calm by moving gently, speaking softly, and allowing the cats to control their interactions.
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🐱 What is a Cat Cafe?
The very first cat café opened in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998, and the idea quickly became popular in Japan. Today, there are over 30 licensed cat cafés in the UK, all following strict animal welfare regulations.
At Munchies Cat Café, our cats are rescued and given a permanent, loving home. They are indoor-only and carefully socialised so they can enjoy a calm, happy life alongside visitors. Most importantly, this café is their home first, and a business second. Everything we do prioritises their welfare.
The Main Purpose of a Cat Café
A cat café is primarily a café — a place to enjoy food, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere in the company of cats. It is not a cat playground, and visiting does not guarantee hands-on time with the cats. Our cats are free to choose where they want to be and who they interact with. If they are sleeping, hiding, or simply uninterested, we do not disturb them.
What You Might Experience
•Seeing cats walking around, lounging in windows, or relaxing on furniture.
•Having the chance to gently stroke a cat — only if it chooses to approach you.
•Enjoying a calm, cat-friendly space where the animals’ needs come first.
What You Shouldn’t Expect
•You may not see every cat during your visit.
•Physical contact with all cats is not guaranteed.
•Cats will never be woken or moved for visitors.
Why These Rules Matter
Cats thrive when they have control over their environment. Forcing interaction can cause stress or harm. By respecting the cats’ space and keeping the environment calm, you’re helping them live happy, healthy lives — and making your visit more enjoyable too.
The Ideal Way to Enjoy a Cat Café
Think of your visit like this: a cozy café where you can enjoy great coffee, food, and a relaxed atmosphere. The cats are an added joy — if they choose to spend time with you, consider it a bonus.
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Customer Guidelines
To keep our cats happy, safe, and stress-free, please follow these simple rules:
Respect the Cats
•Do not touch a cat unless it approaches you.
•Do not wake or disturb cats who are sleeping or hiding.
•Keep voices quiet and movements gentle — sudden noises can scare the cats.
Interaction Limits
•Cats choose when and how they want to interact. Physical contact is a bonus, not guaranteed.
•No chasing, grabbing, or forcing play with cats.
Photography & Observation
•You are welcome to take photos, but please use flash-free photography.
•Enjoy watching the cats, but remember this is their home, not a stage for entertainment.
Café Etiquette
•Handle food and drinks responsibly; do not feed the cats from outside food.
•Respect all furniture, toys, and café equipment.
By following these rules, you help maintain a calm, safe, and happy environment for our cats — and ensure your visit is relaxing and enjoyable.
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Our Commitment to Cat Welfare
At Munchies’ Craft, Cat Cafe the wellbeing of our cats is at the heart of everything we do.
We are a fully licensed Cat Cafe, operating under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, with an Exhibition of Animals Licence issued by our local authority in Brighton & Hove.
This licence is only granted to establishments that meet the highest standards of animal care and welfare, and we are proud to meet and exceed those requirements.
We Are Regularly Inspected and Fully Compliant
We undergo routine inspections by professional Animal Welfare Officers from the local council to ensure we consistently meet legal and welfare standards. These inspections cover everything from:
•Quality and design of the cats’ living spaces
•Access to enrichment, rest, and hiding places
•Mental and physical health monitoring
•Proper veterinary care
•Staff training and competence
•Detailed record-keeping and emergency planning
Our Welfare Standards Are Equal to Animal Shelters
While Cat Cafes are different in purpose, our legal obligations are very similar to those of animal shelters and rehoming centres. We follow the same core UK legislation — the Animal Welfare Act 2006 — and uphold the Five Animal Welfare Needs, which include:
1.A suitable environment
2.A suitable diet
3.The ability to express normal behaviour
4.The need to be housed with or apart from other animals appropriately
5.Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Just like a rescue centre, we create an environment that allows our cats to thrive, not just cope. Every cat in our care is monitored daily, has access to quiet, human-free zones, and is only part of the café space if they are comfortable with the environment.
We Respect Charities’ Concerns, But Operate Under the Law
Some animal charities express concern about Cat Cafes — and we understand that. However, our operation is not based on opinion but on lawful, regulated practice. We invite anyone to visit us and see for themselves how carefully and respectfully our cats are cared for.
Come See for Yourself
We welcome respectful questions about our practices and are always happy to show how we go above and beyond to ensure our cats are healthy, happy, and safe.
If you have any questions about our welfare policies or licensing, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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IMPORTANT:
👉 If your main aim is to actively play with cats, we kindly recommend not booking a table here.
What we ask from every guest is simple: respect, calmness, and kindness. When our cats are happy and safe, everyone who visits will feel that happiness too.
Thank you for understanding – and for helping us create a space where both humans and cats can feel at peace. 🐾
