First look at Vancouver's new cat cafe 'Catoro' before it opens July 29

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We’ve been anticipating stepping into Vancouver’s new magical cat cafe for months, and finally, the day has come.

Catoro is located at 666 E Broadway, and while the new spot doesn’t open to the public until July 29, we got a sneak peek of the space, offerings, and most importantly, the cats.

The space consists of a cafe side and a cat-cuddling side – AKA the ‘Cat Forest’ – the latter you need an appointment for.

There are only 25 people allowed in the room for 30 minutes at a time to begin with.

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Guests are given slippers once inside (no outside shoes allowed) and from there you can calmly play with the cats once they are brought in.

Whimsical and pretty magical, patrons walk through a ‘house’ which serves as the entrance to the storybook-inspired cafe.

From there, customers can feast their eyes on all of the incredible work by Imagination Corporation, including a tall tree complete with cat cubbies, and tons of cat toys to play with like balls, tubes, and more.

While it’s easy to become enchanted with the atmosphere, there are also beverages up for order, but they must be enjoyed on the cafe side of the business.

It’s most important that folks recognize the big idea behind this new Vancouver spot, it’s not just all for cuddles (although those are really nice).

“The brand we have created with Catoro tells a story of a forest guardian and its companion that are on a mission to rescue the helpless and homeless cats lost within a mysterious forest,” says Catoro Co-Owner Nathan Chan. “We hope that the story we tell will connect with children and put a more welcoming and approachable narrative around the importance of rescuing animals and adoption.”

Catoro is brought to us by co-owners including founder Nathan Chan, Luke Mochizuki, Lisa Wong, and Leo Chan, all cat lovers themselves, along with Cat Therapy and Rescue.

Chan wants to emphasize that Catoro’s partnership with the Cat Therapy & Rescue Society (who provides adoptable cats to PetSmart locations across the Lower Mainland) should be something patrons are excited about too.

“A lot of the cat cafes in Asia at more geared toward spending time with cats, no social cause,” says Chan.

Catoro will shine a spotlight on the region’s feline overpopulation problem and its primary goal is to connect as many adoptable cats with loving owners as possible.

The cafe also aims to promote and improve human happiness, mental health, and creative expression within the community, and also has a “zero waste vision” which it plans to achieve by practicing sustainable practices around waste management.

Catoro has kittens and full-grown cats, young and old. Children ages five to 12 must be accompanied by an adult when in the Cat Forest, kids under five are not allowed on this side.

You can book your appointments a Catoro now, it will be open daily from noon to 9 pm come July 29.

Catoro Cafe

Address: 666 E Broadway, Vancouver

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