Hot on the heels tail of Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, London looks set to get another cat café soon — if a crowdfunding campaign is successful.
The man with the plan is James Bowen, a former Big Issue seller living on the streets of London, who made a name for himself a couple of years ago when he published his autobiographical book A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets.
Bowen summarises the story:
“I was homeless and struggling with substance abuse before I met a little ginger stray tom cat, whom I have named Bob, who has helped me realise that there are more things in life to focus on than drugs. He helped me overcome addiction, by being a loyal and compassionate companion, and giving me something other than myself to look after. He has simply become my best friend, and has looked after me just as much as I have him.”
The book went on to be a no.1 bestseller and there have been several subsequent A Street Cat Named Bob spin-offs and even talks of a movie deal for the pair, though we’re not sure if that’s going to happen. But with the launch of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign earlier this month, a Bob-themed cat café in London is now looking very likely — Bowen has already raised more than £31,000 towards his goal of £125,000, with the campaign set to run until 14 April.
The cat café — which will be called Bob’s World and is aiming to open in the Covent Garden area — will be populated with cats that have been rescued, providing “a home for homeless, abused or unwanted cats” as well as a place for “other like-minded individuals to come in and have tea, coffee and refreshments whilst being surrounded by cats”.
A portion of proceeds from the café will go to charities, including Cat’s Protection, The Blue Cross and The Big Issue Foundation.
If you need a reason to donate other than a warm fuzzy feeling and the thought of a cat café in Covent Garden, there are plenty of perks. A £5 donation will get you a personalised thank you letter from Bob (no, we’re not sure either…), £17 will get you a thank you letter and a mug, and £23 will get you a signed book (signed by both Bowen and Bob) and a letter. If you’re feline really generous, £250 will get your name on the café wall along with other Bob-endorsed treats.
So, if you fancy helping Bowen and Bob's mission then don't paws — visit their Indiegogo page and make a donation.
Thanks to Zefrog for the tip-off about this.
Photos taken from the James Bowen And A Street Cat Named Bob Flickr pool.
Also see:
Barking Mad: Steak Restaurant Launches Brunch For Dogs
London Is Getting An Owl Bar, What A Hoot
Londonist Visits Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
