Why is Cafe Venosa my favorite Montreal cat cafe? It’s the first vegan cat cafe in North America!
I always wanted to go to a cat cafe. In Montreal, the perfect opportunity came up. Justin and I were in the city for the Chinese lantern festival. In searching for a lunch spot the following day, I discovered a Montreal cat cafe that also happens to be entirely vegan. It was meant to be! Cafe Venosa might be the only cat cafe I’ve ever frequented, but there are many reasons to fall in love with this place.
FOR THE CATS
The number one reason to visit a cat cafe, naturally, is for the cats! Cat lovers want to spend time with some kitty companions. These little fur balls come from a local animal shelter and they seek loving homes. Eight or nine cats live at Cafe Venosa, hoping to find a forever home. When one is adopted, a new one from the shelter comes to temporarily live at the cafe. Cafe Venosa allows potential adoptive parents to spend time with the cats to see if they a good match.
Of course, you don’t have to visit this Montreal cat cafe hoping to adopt a cat. Cat cafes originated in Japan because many apartment buildings forbid pet ownership. People wishing to experience companionship with a cat to ease stress or loneliness could visit a cat cafe. The welfare of the cats is always put first. The restaurants make sure that the cats are not disturbed if they’re sleeping or simply want some alone time.
The cats at Cafe Venosa were friendly and adorable. You can easily tell if they wanted some attention. If the cat was sleeping or ran away when I approached it, I left that cat alone. Some of the cats were interested in my purse or my coat. Some of them walked right up to us. One cat even jumped up on the table next to us and decided to have a nap there. Of course, the people sitting at the table didn’t even think about moving the cat. We all enjoyed the cats, no matter where they decided to sit.
As there are only ever eight or nine cats, it didn’t seem overcrowded with felines. Every resident had their own quiet place for a catnap.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
How can a cat cafe be mindful of the environment and the planet? From the Cafe Venosa website:
At Café Venosa, we are a vegan, environmentally-vigilant group that seeks to help reduce the animal overpopulation in shelters by adopting our cats and replacing them with other cats from the shelter. All our food is vegan and scrumptious with the planet, animals and people in mind. Even our cleaning products are chosen carefully. We wish not to take from our environment what we cannot give back.
This isn’t your average cat cafe. Cat adoptions help reduce the overpopulation of cats on the streets. By eating vegan food, you are helping the planet and the environment. And they even choose environmentally-friendly cleaning products. I like supporting businesses that carefully make kind choices for people, animals, and the planet.
FOR THE FOOD
We ate lunch at Cafe Venosa and it was delicious. Justin and I chose somewhat similar meals: he ordered a Caesar salad and I bought a Caesar wrap. My Caesar wrap had grilled tempeh, almond Parmesan, and a creamy Caesar dressing. They were really tasty and you wouldn’t know that they didn’t contain animal products.
In addition to lunch fare, there is a wide selection of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and warm beverages on the menu. There’s also an entire dessert menu, including a glass display case filled with desserts and cold drinks. Everything is vegan-friendly.
We brought some donuts and brownies home with us. Well, they didn’t quite make it home. We ate them on the car ride back to Toronto.
THE VERDICT
Do you love cats? Do you love vegan food? How about supporting a local business that helps animals? If you’re going to visit one cat cafe in Montreal, be sure to stop by Cafe Venosa. Enjoy some lunch or a coffee with the purrfect company (sorry, I couldn’t resist)!
Cafe Venosa
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Cafe Venosa
4433 St Denis, Montreal, Quebec
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-10pm
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Have you ever visited a cat cafe? Where was it? Tell me all about it!
The post Montreal Cat Cafe – You’ve Gotta Visit Cafe Venosa appeared first on Justin Plus Lauren.