1. What is a cat café?
The cat café concept originated in the Mediterranean, where hotels began feeding cats away from high-visibility locations to deter the cats from pestering their guests. They began sterilizing the cats as well, so as not to exhaust their resources.

The concept was taken up by WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, which spread the message worldwide. Singapore has cat cafés in hotels, shopping centres, private housing estates and at her two universities, including NTU. Café operators keep a low profile to discourage vandals, pet-dumpers and cat-haters.

2. Isn’t “cat café” just a two-dollar name for a ten-cent idea? Why make so much fuss about throwing a fish to a cat?
The cat café concept emphasizes responsible feeding practice, namely, feeding clean food in a clean way and clearing the feeding areas after the cats have eaten.

The NTU Cat Management Network make bulk purchases of proper food and accept appropriate donations in kind for the cats. A “Kitty” helps pay for food and essentials, such as feeding bowls. Contact NTU_cats@lycos.com for details.

*Cat Cafés reduce the homeless cat population*
The cat café concept stresses humane control of cat population by sterilizing adult cats, male and female, and providing veterinary care when they are ill.

3. Why do we see ‘do not feed cats’ signs everywhere? Does NTU really allow feeding?
The cat café works on the principle of low visibility—ideally, invisibility.

As long as the cats are used to begging and scavenging, that is what they will do. Until the cats learn that good and tasty food is to be had regularly at the café, kind people who want to feed them should not encourage begging but should join the Cat Management Network instead.

4. Enough about cafes, what do I need to do to be a volunteer?
Contact the volunteer coordinator through NTU_cats@lycos.com as we will tell you more. :)