We love hosting kids at affoGATO Cat Cafe! Our cats appreciate the playtime and snuggles, and it’s a great opportunity to get kids involved in cat welfare!
To help everyone have a great time, here are some important guidelines for visiting affoGATO with minors:
- 2-to-1 Rule. To keep everyone safe, we require at least one adult for every two minors under 16-years-old. The adult(s) must have a paid reservation and be inside the cat lounge actively supervising the minors. The adult(s) may not supervise from the cafe. Minors 16 and up do not need parental supervision, but do need the digital waiver signed by their parent.
- Kids Aged 12 and Under Are Welcome On Sundays and Some Special Holiday Hours. Select “family friendly hangout” on our scheduling page to see our available dates/times! Minors aged 13+ are welcome in all cat lounge hangouts. Minors ages 15 and under must have an accompanying adult with a paid reservation in the lounge. Ages 16+ do not require parental supervision. All minors must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the digital waiver.
- Kids Are People. Since guests of all ages take up space in our cat room and require supervision by our attendants, guests of all ages require a paid reservation. This includes babies and toddlers.
- Signing the Waiver. If you are bringing a child that you’re not the guardian of, please make sure you obtain the permission of the guardian and include their name in the “parent/guardian” section of the digital waiver when booking your reservation.
- Following the Rules. We love the extra fun energy that kids bring to the lounge! However, all guests including minors do need to follow our cat lounge rules. We typically have an array of feline personalities, including some shy cats who are more likely to hide in a stressful environment, so making sure that kids use quiet voices, are walking instead of running, etc. will help make sure you have a great time with all of the cats!
- Prepare Ahead of Time. A little preparation goes a long way! Here are some tips:
- If your child has never met a cat before, teach them how to politely greet a cat! Here is a guide for introductions, and here is a guide for cat body language.
- Check out the cats on our site! That way you can learn which ones are sassy or friendly, playful or snuggly, etc. before you arrive. We also have a color-coded profile wall in the cat lounge.
- If you have a cat at home, reinforce that the cats here may be different. The shelter cats here will have a different level of trust than your friend at home, and they all have different likes/dislikes.
- Pick a Great Time. Cats are crepuscular, and are most active at dawn and dusk. That means the middle of the day can be a little sleepy! The cats are also excited to play right after breakfast, so if you’re looking for the most active playtime, we recommend coming during our first appointment of the day. Also, weekends tend to be busier, so if you come on a weekday there are usually less people with whom to share the cats!
- Use Our Books and Games. If you are looking for some extra fun for the family, check out our shelves full of cat-themed books, games, and coloring pages. There are lots of options for all ages!
- Ask the Attendant. Our attendants know the cats really well, and are happy to give you info about how to have great interactions with each cat. Maybe it’s a special toy, or the perfect spot they like to be scratched, we have all of the best tips!
- Why There Are Guidelines for Kids. These rules and guidelines aren’t just to keep the cats safe, but to keep the kids safe too! When cats get scared or upset, they are more likely to bite or scratch, so we want to reduce the risk and keep you safe by being cautious and courteous with each cat!