In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this. (Terry Pratchett)
Cat Café Katzentempel
And now since May 2013 you can adore them in Munich's Katzentempel (temple of cats).
It is the first German cat café and thanks to the promoter Gizmo, Ayla, Jack, Balou, Saphira and Robin could finally forget a lesser divine live, because they all come from the animal aid organisation "Rassekatzen in Not", product of irresponsible breeders.
The Katzentempel is now their home and the clients are "only" visitors who are asked at the entrance politely to comply with some very simple observations for a harmonious together.
As soon as you pass the double entrance (for the cats' security), you'll find yourself in an almost Mediterranean atmosphere. All is relaxed, without haste, you hear laughter and complete strangers start animated conversations.
The furnishing and decoration of the 160m2 cat cafe are minimalistic and very cat fitting. Bambu tables, free spaces and a lots of tiny shelves on the walls, a huge natural wood cat tree, wicker furniture and colorful cushions in the big window frames turn the Katzentempel into a big playground for the felines.
Naturally there are also toys, and the inhabitants of the temple let you know unmistakably what they want at each moment.
So Jack, laying on top of the cat tree, makes clear to the human who is playing with him, that he would prefer to catch the string toy instead of his hand. As former street cat, who was hit by a car and therefore lost his right hind leg, he shows all the word that his condition is no impediment for a normal and happy cat life.
Gizmo doesn't have problems with requesting the visitors to throw him his play mouse again and again, just to smash it back like the best tennis professional from above the shelves where he is sitting.
Ayla, his beautiful sister, prefers to hold court in one of the big windows and enjoys the caresses as she follows life outdoors and causes not a few passers-by to stop.
Saphira, oblivious to the hustle around her indulges herself in her beauty ritual. Her sister Robin seems to be a bit shyer and stays in the wicker house.
Only Balou slinks away, but soon he is back to the delight of a young woman, who finally - on her fourth visit - manages to see her "star" live and breathing. Not to wonder why he is the secretly preferred of many; he is so very cute and you have to stop yourself from hugging him. Because despite his looks he doesn't like overly to be cuddled.
Gizmo doesn't have problems with requesting the visitors to throw him his play mouse again and again, just to smash it back like the best tennis professional from above the shelves where he is sitting.
Saphira, oblivious to the hustle around her indulges in her beauty ritual. Her sister Robin seems to be a bit shyer and stays in the wicker house.
All the cats are surprisingly relaxed and philanthropic and enjoy the attentions from the visitors, who treat them very considerate. And if ever they are in no mood for human contact, they have -of course- their own room, where they can retreat to sleep, feed or use the litter box.
People who come to visit "their" Katzentempel respect this without problem and use the time to savour the culinary offer. Delicious vegan dishes and cakes and a great assortment of cold and hot teas and fruit juices or a coffee. The service is very friendly and helpful and there is no hurry at all.
The kitchen is independent of the guest room and has a lidded hatch through which
the plates, provided with a plastic covering, are passed to the guest room tables.
The fans of the temple cats are all ages and conditions: kids, students, workers, elderly people, (former) cat holders and cat lovers and entranced by the Katzentempel's magic.
The reasons are surely not only the purring hosts, but it's authenticity. Because love for animals, animal protection and vegan nutrition are program in the life of their can opener (and owner) Thomas Leidner, former investment banker, who quitted his job for ethical reasons.
Therefore he encourages future pet owners to adopt their animals from shelters or abroad, there is information of animal protection projects and donation cans for some animal aid organizations. He also contributes with a part of the yearly income to support the work of these entities.
Surely, it wasn't easy. Lots of bureaucratic obstacles had to be solved and strict regulations obeyed, but definitely it was worth the effort, because the Katzentempel is really a temple of recreation in the stressful day to day life.
Thank you! Jack, Saphira, Gizmo, Ayla, Balou and Thomas for the wonderful afternoon (and greetings to Robin, maybe she'll be less shy next time and come out too).
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