In case you haven’t heard yet, Boston could be the future home to the next Cat Cafe, named Miaou Boston. Universal Hub reported that an entrepreneur and writer of the tumblr blog Cat Cafe Dream, is attempting to open this Cat Cafe near you.
The cat cafe dreamer states in the blog:
I’m a young entrepreneur looking to start a cat cafe in the U.S. I’m very serious about this and determined to have (it) be created by the end of 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. I’ve had this idea for a while now ever since learning about them through the internet a couple of years ago.
The blog also mentions that the Cat Cafe is meant to be a home to “foster a social, happy environment for customers and cat’s alike. The cats are free to roam and rest in the area…” They are “small restaurants originating in Japan” where customers eat and drink amongst kitty cats. There are already 40 Cat Cafes in Tokyo, Japan – as well as throughout Asia.
And it seems Europe is also purring up to the concept. Vienna, Austria, is now home to a feline friendly Cat Cafe. In addition, London is opening their first cat loving cafe this year as well.
Well, that’s sweet and all, but not exactly appetizing. The Boston Cat Cafe must pass city health codes, of course. We chatted with a spokesperson for Boston Inspectional Services Department, responsible for enforcing health and sanity regulations (among others) for the City of Boston, who told us that to the best of her knowledge, no one from Miaou Boston “has applied with this concept in mind for a permit yet.” But, she went on, “according to the Massachusetts Health Code, live animals may be allowed in restaurants only for specific reasons such as patrol dogs or edible fish. Unless these cats are service animals, this won’t be allowed.”
BostonEater also reports that a health and food safety coordinator explained to Miaou Boston that “establishments may apply for and be granted a variance from this section from their local board of health.”
Interesting. But the better question is – would Boston residents really go to a Cat Cafe if they had the choice? Would you?
We reached out to Miaou Boston and will keep you updated with future responses.
Image via cntraveller.com
