Kiko's Cat Cafe opens in Rye with People’s Animal Welfare Society

Kiko’s Cat Cafe, in Fishmarket Road, Rye, opened its doors to customers on Saturday.

The business, founded by April Benson, is working to “improve people’s wellbeing via cats” while also seeking to find homes for some of its rescue felines through a partnership with People’s Animal Welfare Society (PAW Society).

A spokesman for PAW Society said: “Welfare has featured in every part of the cafe’s design and we’re so excited to have a safe and comforting foster space for our animals which will enable us to greatly increase the number of cats we can rescue.

A pair of lounging cats (Image: People's ANimal Welfare Society)

“All the cats we’ve placed in the cafe have been chosen due to their confidence and willingness to relish in the love and attention of customers. We’re delighted that our cats will get to spend their days lapping up all the fuss and they may even meet their forever family along the way.

“April has worked incredibly hard to turn the cafe into feline heaven with cat runs going up to the ceiling and there is a double-entry door system with a room away from customers when a break and a cat nap is needed.”

People can adopt a cat at the cafe (Image: People's Animal Welfare Society)

April said her team had been “overwhelmed by the incredible response" from the opening weekend.

“We received such positive feedback from our visitors, many of whom have already booked to visit again,” she said.

“A special thank you to our wonderful partner rescue People’s Animal Welfare Society. They have worked tirelessly over the years to help our feline friends, give them a better life and fulfil our shared goal of finding felines a forever home.”

The cafe’s opening weekend closed on a high as adoption applications were submitted for two cats.

For more information about the cat cafe, and to book a session, visit www.kikoscatcafe.co.uk