Animal Welfare Professionals

We invite you to participate in a national research study examining cat café management practices, feline health and welfare, and adoption outcomes across the United States.  Cat cafés play an increasingly important role in animal welfare by providing enriching environments for cats while facilitating adoptions and community engagement. Despite their growing popularity, little information exists regarding management practices, preventive health care protocols, infectious disease control measures, and population outcomes in these unique settings. Your participation will help fill this important knowledge gap and contribute to the development of evidence-based recommendations for cat cafés nationwide.

LINK to SURVEY = https://forms.gle/b4eXBYFV7LTtnkBBA

Participant Incentive

As a thank you for your time, participants may enter a drawing to win one of five $100 gift cards if the completed survey is submitted by July 6th. Five participants will be selected at random following completion of the study.

Purpose of the Study

This study is designed to characterize management, environmental enrichment, preventive care, and infectious disease control practices among cat cafés nationwide. In addition, the study aims to describe reported incidence of infectious disease and behavioral concerns, evaluate adoption rates and feline length of stay, and compare population outcomes to community shelter benchmarks while accounting for community demographic factors.

What Participation Involves

If you choose to participate, you will complete an online survey that includes questions about:

• Cat sources and intake practices
• Housing and environmental enrichment
• Preventive health care protocols
• Infectious disease prevention and management
• Behavioral management practices
• Adoption outcomes and length of stay
• Resident versus adoptable cat populations
• Funding and operational models

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Survey Link

If you have questions about the study, please let us know!

We also invite you to submit photos of your cafe housing and environmental enrichment by email. By sending photos via email, you are giving permission to use the photos in future publications and presentations. It is your choice whether you would like the photos to be credited to your facility or remain anonymous. Submission of photos is not necessary or required to participate in the survey.

Thank you for considering participation in this important project. By sharing your experiences, you can help improve feline welfare, support successful adoptions, and advance knowledge about cat cafés nationwide.

Sincerely,

Mark Wild, DVM Candidate Class of 2029
Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program 2026