Today, we're turning things over to our intern, Linda Cotrina:

The cat gods have answered my prayers! Toronto will be getting its first cat café very soon. Oh. Em. Gee. Now, I first found out about this wonderful news thanks to a dear friend who posted the link on my Facebook wall and I could not been happier. I mean Japan has them, and Vancouver and Montreal are set to open one in each respective city very soon, so why not Toronto? It only makes sense! Plus, I'm pretty sure it's a great stress reliever. The mastermind behind this wonderful idea, advertiser and marketer, Jennifer Morozowich, along with business partner and restaurateur Jeff Jarvis, plans to house up to 10 adoptable cats sourced from local shelters. Morozowich hopes to raise 50k for startup costs for the business that will be allocated to "construction, rent, cat furniture, cat maintenance [vet checks], interior design... the list is endless," says Morozowich.

Jennifer Morozowich (pictured)has two cats of her own, Wilma and Betty; Wilma loves to ride on her mommy's shoulders, while Betty loves to wash her sister all day long. She also chatted with us about what you should know and expect from Toronto's  Kitty Cat Café:

Linda Cotrina: Why the decision to open up a cat café in Toronto? Jennifer Morozowich: Animals have always been my passion, cats exclusively. I've been volunteering with various cat rescuer organizations since I was little and I was inspired by the concept in Japan and so I wanted to bring that same kind of idea to Toronto. LC: When do you hope to launch? JM: My goal is for the end of the summer, early fall. We've done a lot of work to get to where we are right now. We've had a couple of steps that we had to take back, but I’m pretty ambitious and determined to get this open as soon as possible. LC: Ideally, where would you like it to be located? JM: In the Christie-Bloor [Koreatown], Ossington-Bloor, Bathurst-Bloor area. In the west end, pretty much. LC: What features do you plan to include as part of the café, other than, obviously, the cats? JM: Because of the very strict health regulations we have in Toronto and Ontario, we have to really swerve around the selling of foods, so my intention is to have coffee and pastries available with entry fee. LC: How much do you plan on charging for the entry fee?  JM: There are many different scenarios, but I'm looking at having a day rate, as well as a weekly rate, monthly rate and then a membership for life rate. That amount is to be determined right now. LC: Overall, what do you envision for Kitty Cat?  JM: The most important thing about the café is the ability to adopt a cat. There will be animals from local cat rescues on the premises. The goal is to connect the guest with the cats and then hopefully they'll fall in love with them and adopt them. LC: What's your favourite thing about cats? JM: They're very interesting to watch— their moves and demeanor. They all have their own very unique personalities, just like people do. All us cat fanatics have to be thankful that we don't have to travel that far to be surrounded by these purrrfect creatures—I don't know about you, but that lifetime membership sounds like a great idea to me! But until Kitty Cat Café opens up, check out what awaits us in the company of these friendly four-legged friends:

[HTML1]

 Image courtesy of NomadicSamuel/FlickrCC