Yay For Strays Cat Café Helps Find ‘Furever’ Homes

The first of its kind in Windsor Yay for Strays, a cat café, first opened its doors originally on Feb. 24.  

The café not only serves coffee but cat company. The public can relax surrounded by friendly felines. Owner Chantelle Gaudette. Founded the cat café with the intention of creating an environment for the public to interact with cats that need ‘furever’ homes.  

Gaudette discussed the positive impact her cat cafe business concept has had.   

“We’ve had 47 adoptions to date, which is super awesome. We didn’t expect these numbers so quickly,” said Gaudette  

The cafe fosters shelter cats in a cage free environment. Cats roam freely within spacious rooms with a variety of toys and wall fixtures to keep the cats occupied and comfortable.  

Yay for Strays is in partnership with the Windsor Essex Country Humane Society.  

On the doors and walls, posters detail the names, ages, and profiles of the cats up for adoption. Since opening the cafe has helped 47 cats find their forever homes.   

“If you’ve never had a cat before, do your research reading -online, anything you can find out about cats, just to educate yourself,” said Gaudette. 

The cafe sells not only food and drink products but gifts ideas, cat themed trinkets and even socks.   

Gaudette had some advice when it comes to finding your ‘purrrfect’ partner. Gaudette said  

“I was just making sure you can connect with a cat, I personally, if I’m looking for a cat, I’m looking for a connection,” said Gaudette. 

The cat cafe enables the public to visit and interact with the cats, however, they are asked to adhere to a few rules to maintain the personal safety of the cats such as children being supervised, refraining from feeding the cats any food meant for human consumption.   

Admission prices start at $7 for 30 minutes. The price goes up slightly, depending on the length of the time you wish to stay.  

Visit yayforstrays.ca for further details on hours of operation and events.