I visited Cat Heaven in Cape Town – home to 22 rescues that you can have cake with

• Cat Heaven in Somerset West, home to 22 adorable rescue non-pedigreed cats, was the first of a few rescue cat cafes to open in Africa.
• At just R30 an hour, feline fans and the cat curious can commune with the residents in a relaxed, welcoming space.
• For this stressed-out cat lover, the feline therapy – along with cake and coffee – was a great way to kickstart my weekend.

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Zaza eyes me imperiously from her high perch. There’s a happy hum of clinking cups and background chatter as residents saunter languidly between tables. Some play on the jungle gym, others nap in the sunshine, already a little exhausted by all the adoration. A little stripey grey creature, barely out of kittenhood, pounces at a piece of string.

I’m at Cat Heaven in Somerset West, recognised as the first cat rescue cafe on the continent, and home to 22 rescue non-pedigreed cats. As a certified crazy cat lady, hanging out with 22 cats and their equally crazy fans on Saturday afternoon is indeed my idea of heaven, so I had high expectations of the day.

And it didn’t disappoint.

Hello kitties

The cat cafe concept originated in Taiwan in 1998 but exploded in popularity across Japan, where space constraints can make owning pets prohibitive. City dwellers can unplug for a few hours in a peaceful environment and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of cat companionship without having to own one.

The model shifted as it moved across the globe, with cat cafes in the US and Europe often partnering with local shelters to serve as “living showrooms” for adoptable cats. This is what Cat Heaven wants South Africans to experience: the joy of communing with a rescue in a relaxed, home-like environment in the hope of encouraging more potential pet owners to adopt. 

From home office to cat playground

I sit down to chat with the lovely Valerie Steinmann, founder and owner of Cat Heaven, which opened in 2017. My interview is at 11:00 – a good time to arrive, as most of the residents are still energetic. Elegant and softly spoken, Valerie tells me what it took to get her pet project off the ground.

She and her husband, Paul, didn’t have any children of their own and travelled extensively. Paul is Swiss, and while visiting his mother in Thun, they found a small, quirky cat-themed gift shop, which sparked the idea.

As if on cue, Pauli, a confident curly-tailed fellow named after his dad, jumps on the table to say hello.

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In their trips to Japan, Valerie fell in love with the minimalist cat cafes – which house both pedigrees and rescues – but didn’t like the concept of keeping cats inside. She also knew that in a country like South Africa, where animal shelters are overflowing, she wanted to house only rescues – and to give them lots of freedom to play outside.

She came back with a mission. “Okay, this is what we’re gonna do,” she said to Paul, which involved kicking him out of his home office and transforming it into a playground.

The couple poured all their savings into their new project and began phoning shelters to ask if they could take in their cats. I was surprised to hear the answer was always no: the concept was still too new here. Eventually, Stellenbosch animal shelter – where they get all their rescues – looked at the generous and well-equipped space and was convinced.

Sibling rivalry

The first contingent of 12 arrived on a rainy day. They were all still little and absolutely terrified. When Valerie came to feed them in the mornings, they hid and refused to come outside.

It took a while for their fear to subside, but their personalities slowly began to emerge. Tutu – named after Desmond Tutu with his black coat and white collar – developed a penchant for cake. Pauli, ever demanding the centre of attention, was having none of it and took over the job.

Benji took years to come out of his shell, but gradually learned to socialise with his siblings. Grumpy Major gave them all a klap and told them who’s the boss. Pauli wasn’t happy with this either and began to get a little aggressive. Calming meds keep his exuberance contained: he’s the most popular – and he knows it.

Quietly content, Faith and Tikki – brother and sister – are inseparable. “Her Highness” Zaza likes the roof and her perch. Lady, with the perfect eyeliner, insists on being fed separately. Sunshine was called “sad eyes” at the shelter, but Valerie called her Sunshine, and she’s grown into her name.

Catch 22

As I tuck into a delicious cappuccino and carrot cake, Valerie tells me how she keeps things afloat. Cat Heaven is a nonprofit organisation and receives no outside funding. It survives on the Paw Parents’ monthly adoption fee, their donors, the R30-per-hour charge, earnings from the modest restaurant, the gift shop, and their savings.

Some months are tough. Valerie won’t expand beyond 22 cats, because she wants to give each one the best level of care and lots of space. Sparkles – the grey kitten who’s moved on to another game – is the newest addition, replacing Booboo, who died last year after an illness.

While I’m there, there’s a birthday celebration at one of the tables. Valerie loves using the space for events, and she doesn’t charge for the venue. Some dates to look out for:

Valerie needs to get going – she’s dropping off avos at a 90-year-old paw parent down the road.

Before she leaves, she tells me about her latest mission – with global ambitions – to encourage rescue parents around the world to share their stories using #NoCatLeftBehind.

Joining the fur family

I move into the indoor cafe, where there are elaborate cat-mounted shelves of all descriptions. Most of the action today has been outside, but when it’s raining, there’s plenty of space for residents and visitors here.

A gorgeous tabby – JLo – is getting her tummy tickled in the sunny room. Cat mom Eartha tells me about the Paw Parent Programme, where you choose one of the residents to adopt for R130 a month.

As a Paw Parent, you don’t pay an entry fee, can visit as many times as you like, and get weekly text messages and selfies from your new charge. This fee covers the costs of food, medical care and general maintenance. Your furbaby also celebrates Catmas and your birthday with gifts, and on 16 December, there’s an annual Thanksgiving for all the parents. The extended Cat Heaven family seems warm and welcoming, judging by the owners who take the time to chat to me.

JLo is not Eartha’s baby; she’s adopted Major, who’s less keen for cuddles. But parenting is clearly a team effort at Cat Heaven.

Finally, it’s time to explore the cat-themed gift shop. I’m determined to look, take some pictures, and leave. But the reasonable prices and cuteness factor are too hard to resist. I’m not sure what’s in the little bags of cat treats I took home, but my cat is obsessed and has insisted I go back for more: a great excuse for another visit.

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