Welcome to Canterbury Tails
Hello! We are the first and only Cat Café in the Canterbury area, offering a truly unique experience that combines mental well-being with an inclusive selection of tasty food and beverages.
Surrounded by our 21 gorgeous resident cats in the heart of beautiful historic Canterbury, we an absolute must for any cat enthusiast.
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Visit Us
We can be found at 8 Mercery Lane, Canterbury CT1 2JJ
We are right between Canterburys main high street and the Cathedral gates, look for the shop with cats in the windows, you cant miss us!
Coming Soon
Special Events and Products
We offer a range of cat themed gifts and handmade goods in our shop and online store. Not only do we handmake much of
the food and merchandise available at the café, but are proud to showcase and
support the work of local artisans and small businesses to source additional food and handmade crafts.
We are all about community spirit and inclusivity, and aim to run community days working with local care homes, host speciality sessions such as seasonal craft classes, wellness sessions, afternoon tea, late night kitty yoga, student specials, feature guest speakers and educators, as well as facilitating for private hire parties and functions. Look out for posts about bookable special
events on our social media!
If you are a local small business owner or independent interested in partnering with us, drop us an email today!
OUR ETHOS
Keeping it Green
We aim to be as zero waste as possible at
Canterbury Tails, all café furniture is second hand and has been upcycled and repurposed, giving it a second lease of life. This sustainable ethos is mirrored in our rehomed cat crew and renovated historical
building!
We make a large selection of our cat beds, toys, and shop merchandise from recycled materials as we believe in the ethos of reduce, reuse, recycle and keeping things green for a happier, healthier planet! This approach extends to the cat furniture and climbing ledges built around the café, all of which are made whenever possible from second-hand and recycled materials.
We are also a fully plant based café, which aligns with our ethos of protecting our planet and all living beings. We promise our menu is perfectly tasty and you won't be missing out on any of your favourite drinks or treats,
but the only animal products you will find here at Canterbury Tails are in our cats' food bowls as cats are carnivorous and, unlike humans, cannot thrive on a
vegan diet.
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Mental Wellbeing and Cats
"According to HABRI (the Human Animal Bond
Research Institute), 74% of pet owners say that owning a pet has improved their mental health. Studies show that human-animal interaction increases oxytocin
levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of calm, comfort and focus. Pets are proven to help reduce stress and anxiety and, in many homes, they play a vital role in easing loneliness. A study by Cats Protection and the Mental Health Foundation of over 600 cat owners found that 87% felt owning a cat had a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 76% said they could better cope with life thanks to the company of their pet." Source: Medivet
We at Canterbury Tails know that for many in the Canterbury area owning their own pet is not an option. A large majority of Canterbury residents have housing that either does not allow or is unsuitable for pets, or lead lifestyles that don't mesh with pet ownership. This also includes the large student and care-home/assisted living populations of Canterbury, so many individuals are missing out on the proven benefits of human/animal interaction.
If the global events of the last few years have taught us anything, it's that mental wellbeing is of upmost importance, and here at Canterbury Tails we strive to help those around us through the joy of cats, for happier, healthier lives.
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Adoption
While our resident felines have found their fur-ever home with us and are not up for adoption, we plan to offer a rehoming helping-hand scheme for cats needing a forever home, and those looking to bring a new furry family member into their lives. Watch this space!
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Inclusivity
Canterbury Tails Cat Café is a safe and welcoming space for people from all walks of life. We are disabled accessible, support our LGBTQIA+ community, and welcome all ethnicities and backgrounds.
Discrimination and prejudice of any kind is not tolerated at Canterbury Tails.
