Last Updated on 15 November 2024 by Vanessa
If you’re a cat lover, you’ll want to add the cozy Kattencafé Kopjes to your itinirary on your next visit to Amsterdam. Located in the lively neighborhood of East Amsterdam, this cat café is the purr-fect place to unwind, sip on a cup of coffee, and spend some quality time with seven adorable cats.
Welcome to Kattencafé Kopjes, the first cat café in Amsterdam and the Netherlands!
Last Wednesday, I spent a day in Amsterdam to talk to my publisher about a collaboration on a collection of Halloween stories and the possible release of my book When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals. It was the perfect opportunity to also visit Kattencafé Kopjes for Traveling Cats.
Kopjes is not your typical café; it’s a sanctuary for rescued cats that have been given a second chance at life.
The café was founded in April 2015 by Lenny Popelier, who had a vision to create a safe and loving environment for cats that have been neglected or abandoned. The cafe’s mission is to provide these cats with a loving home where they can relax, play, and receive all the attention they need.
Upon arrival, you enter a reception area. Here, someone stands to welcome you to Kattencafé Kopjes. The house rules are explained, you are asked to disinfect your hands, and your reservation is reviewed.
After this, you go through the next door and enter the café area. You’ll be greeted by a cozy atmosphere with plenty of comfy seating and charming decor. It’s the living room the cats have always wanted because most of the area is set up for the cat with climbing, scratching, chill and sleeping opportunities everywhere. There are soft couches and chairs to sit on, and cat toys galore.
You’ll also be welcomed by the cafe’s adorable feline residents, who are free to roam around and interact with customers. The cats are all very friendly and social, and each one has its own unique personality.
What does the word “kopjes” mean?
“Kopjes” is a Dutch word meaning both “cups” (as in “a cup of coffee”) and “head butts.” The perfect name for a cat café, right?
The cats
Kattencafé Kopjes is currently home to seven cats: Maan, Tiny, Eleonore, Dilla, Rosie, Horus, and Donnie.
Donnie had arrived at the cat café only one day before but was already feeling at home. No wonder, because Kopjes is a paradise for cats as there are plenty of climbing shelves, scratching posts, cat towers, cat beds, water fountains, catnip plants, and cat toys. It’s definitely an upgrade for these former shelter cats.
But most of all: they love to cuddle. Don’t be surprised if one of the cats choses you and remains by your side during your entire visit.
Are the cats of Kattencafé Kopjes available for adoption?
The cats come from the Amsterdam cat shelter Stichting Dierenleed, from the Dierenopvangcentrum Amsterdam (DOA), and from Dierenopvangcentrum Enschede.
It is not possible to adopt cats from Kopjes. The café owners argue that it can quickly become unsettling for cats if residents move in and out all the time. Stress can cause health problems in cats, which is why adopting is not possible. Kattencafé Kopjes does give information about shelter cats in cooperation with the shelters to create a certain awareness. They will gladly refer to the shelters they work with or to other foundations or platforms.
Is the café environment not stressful for the cats?
The cats at Kopjes are selected based on their character and whether they are socialized to live comfortably with both humans and other cats. There has been a period of introduction so that the animals can get used to each other’s smells, general presence, and so on.
Afternoons have also been organized where the cats can get used to the guests.
Furthermore, Kattencafé Kopjes was designed with the help of cat behaviorists, and the space is arranged in such a way that each cat can have all kinds of spots as its own territory. There is also a separate, “cats only” room. No people can come here, only cats.
Kopjes’ main goal is for cats to live happy, healthy and carefree lives.
Some of the conditions for keeping the café cats healthy and happy are:
- clean and running water
- nutritious organic food (Yarrah)
- daily behavioral control
- protection against fleas, worms and ear mites
- necessary vaccinations
- lots of climbing and scratching opportunities
- comfortable sleeping areas (which are also located high on the wall so the cat can seek rest but can also supervise the area)
- a cats only room
- plenty of litter boxes that are cleaned regularly
- cat toys galore
- lots of love from visitors and playmates (aka you)
- any cat that seems unhappy or stressed and does not become happy living in the cat café will be responsibly rehomed
How to behave at the cat café?
At cat café Kopjes, there are a few rules that visitors are expected to follow:
Wash your hands
Washing your hands before entering a cat café helps reduce the risk of spreading any bacteria or germs to the cats, which could potentially make them sick. This is particularly important in a cat cafe, where many different people are interacting with the cats throughout the day.
Don’t pick up the cats
This is to ensure the cats’ comfort and safety. Some cats may not enjoy being picked up, and it could cause them stress or anxiety. Additionally, there is a risk of dropping the cat or accidentally hurting them. Most cat cafés allow visitors to pet and interact with the cats in a gentle and respectful manner, but picking them up is generally not allowed.
Don’t wake up sleeping cats
Cats sleep a lot, and it’s important to let them rest. If a cat is sleeping, it’s best to admire them from a distance and wait until they wake up on their own before trying to interact with them.
Don’t feed the cats
The cats of the cat café are fed a specific diet to ensure their health and wellbeing. Feeding them human food or treats will not only provide them with too much calories but can also upset their stomachs or cause other health issues.
Turn off the flash when you take pictures
Cats are often sensitive to sudden bright lights, and the flash can startle or scare them. The sudden burst of light can cause discomfort or anxiety, potentially leading to stress or negative behavior in cats. Flash photography can also disrupt a cat’s natural behavior or mood and may cause them to become more cautious, hide, or stop engaging in playful activities.
Supervize your children to make sure their behavior with the cats is not too rough
Supervising children at a cat café is essential to ensure their safety as well as the wellbeing of the resident cats. It allows for gentle handling, teaches children to respect boundaries, prevents accidents, and promotes a positive environment for both children and cats to interact harmoniously. Children under the age of eight are not admitted.
Be gentle and respectful
This is perhaps the most important rule at any cat café. Cats are living creatures, and they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Visitors should be gentle when interacting with the cats, and avoid any behavior that could be interpreted as aggressive or intimidating.
Food and drinks
Kattencafé Kopjes has a large selection of breakfast and lunch options, desserts, and both hot and cold drinks. I opted for the rye bread with home-made hummus and a ginormous glass of coconut water. Delicious!
Practical information
Address: Marco Polostraat 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening times: You can visit Kattencafé Kopjes from Wednesday till Sunday from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm. Make sure to reserve a spot beforehand because there’s only place for 20 cat lovers.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is 4 euros which gives access to the cat café for two hours.
Website: https://www.kattencafekopjes.nl/
How to reach Kattencafé Kopjes?
Kattencafé Kopjes is far from the center of Amsterdam and can impossibly be reached by foot. You’re advised to take tram 13 near the Central Station in the direction of Geuzenveld. It’s more or less a 15 minutes ride, but so worth it. Cat lovers with leave the place with a big smile.
Other cat cafés in the Netherlands
Cat cafés in the rest of the world
- Meowtropolitan (USA)
- Chez Miss Miaouw (Belgium)
- La Ronronnerie (France)
- Purr Cat Café Club (Thailand)
- Chapristea (France)
- Shakespaw Cat Café (England)
- MangaKat (Belgium)
- Le Chat Touille (Belgium)
- Nekobayaka (Japan)
- Cat Attic (South Korea)
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
Read next: Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story
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