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Cat Cafes Provide Fun, Therapy for Patrons, Homes for Needy Cats

Emily Hughes cuddles with one of the  two-to-three dozen friendly felines to be found at the cat cafe in West Columbia.  She finds hanging out with the animals a stress reliever when she can't get home to Eastover to see her own pets.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio
Emily Hughes cuddles with one of the two-to-three dozen friendly felines to be found at the cat cafe in West Columbia. She finds hanging out with the animals a stress reliever when she can't get home to Eastover to see her own pets.

Cats are beloved pets by millions, but many people can’t have them because they live where pets aren’t allowed or are subject to other restrictions. However, over the last decade,  a national phenomenon has sprung up to help cat-less cat lovers get their feline fixes: the cat café.  Andres Ortega has opened a cat café in West Columbia, and there are similar cafes in Greenville and Charleston. 

The idea is that customers can come in to have a cup of coffee or other drink and a snack, and then go upstairs to visit numerous cats that not only are friendly and companionable, but also up for adoption.   Students at the nearby University of South Carolina find the couches and desks a relaxing place to study, and petting furry friends that they can’t have in their dorms makes it all the more homey. 

Co-owner Maria Garcia says that petting cats is therapeutic.  “Mine is registered as an emotional support animal,” she adds.   USC student David Varney finds visiting the place “a breath of fresh air” and a fun alternative to activities like going out to bars or the movies.  Pre-med student Meghan Adams is a member in the café, which gives her low admission and other perks, especially, of course, lots of time with the cats as she studies.  The concept started in Japan in 2005, and is gaining such popularity that Ortega can envision himself opening more cat cafes in the Midlands in the future.

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.