Pets, be it cats, dogs, or other small animals, can be a source of comfort and support. Research has shown that interacting with pets lowers the stress hormone cortisol and lowers blood pressure, whilst also providing social support and reducing loneliness.

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to keep pets at home (like yours truly) – so the next best thing is to visit a pet cafe.

One of my favourite places to go to for a mood booster is Purradise Cat Cafe in TTDI, KL. Established in 2015, it is considered a pioneer in the cat cafe scene. What makes the place special is that these are not fancy, pure bred cats, but animals that have been rescued off the streets. I brought the Hubs here recently since he also likes cats, and we had a purr-fect time chilling with the kitties!

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It has been awhile since my last visit, as I was not able to come during the pandemic. The space largely looks the same: beanbags, a few tables with high stools, and lots of nooks and crannies for the cats to hide in. I also like that they have a catwalk above, because cats have a natural instinct to protect themselves and like high vantage points.

Entry to the cafe is RM21 per hour, inclusive of a drink. The price is a little steep, but personally, it’s a price I’m willing to pay to be around the cats and also support the establishment. You’ll have to keep track of the time yourself, though, as they charge an additional fee every 15 minutes after your hour is up.

There is a board with helpful tips on how to interact with the cats. The staff member on duty explained to us which cats tend to be friendly, and which are grumpy.

There are close to 20 cats in the cafe; not all of them were in the common area during our visit, so I’m guessing they rotate the cats at different hours of the day. We were there around 2PM; most of the cats were just chilling, while others were in a playful mood, so I think we caught them at the right time. The last time I was here, I didn’t get to pet any cats at all because they were all grumpy. I still enjoyed my time immensely though, because just being around them makes me happy.

Manage expectations when it comes to food, because although they call themselves a cafe, this is not a proper eatery. What they have on their limited menu is pretty decent though; the Hubs and I both got iced chocolate drinks, which were served with paper straws. Some people might find it unpleasant to eat or drink here because the place has a strong cat odour, but we were both too excited to be around the cats to care.

And without further ado: cat pics!

My favourite is Brie, a beautiful calico with a smooth, silky coat. She’s one of the cats with an asterisks on the kitty menu; which means she can be moody. But she was an angel during our visit ! We were able to pet her multiple times; she had this haughty look that said “I shall tolerate your presence… for now.” Adorable!

Chonky Brie.

Miki was asleep the entire time. We were able to pet her without her waking up. I think she quite enjoyed it!

The Hubs and Patches, a tuxedo cat. Patches was also in the mood for head scritches, a good five to ten minute session.

We were lucky as many of the cats were in an agreeable mood during our visit, so we were able to touch and play with them. On my previous visit, they were not at all friendly, so it really depends on your luck as to how they’re feeling.

An important thing to remember is that CATS ARE NOT TOYS, and DO NOT come at your whim and fancy. If a cat doesn’t feel like getting close to you, you CANNOT force it to. I’ve seen many negative reviews of the cafe left by rude, entitled pricks who think that just because they pay, then the cats MUST interact with them. Some even go as far as saying that the cats are not declawed, because they got scratched.

Hello. You do not declaw a cat. It’s akin to cutting off the tips of a human’s fingers off, because cats use their claws to climb things, and it’s their way of defending themselves. I would like to see you cut your fingers off because someone finds it more convenient. Also, I’d like to see you being manhandled all hours of the day by boisterous customers and not be a little cranky.

All of the unreasonable, entitled reviews makes me cranky. Grr.

But ending this on a positive note: if you like cats, then check out Purradise! You’ll also be supporting an establishment that rescues strays.

PURRADISE CAT CAFE

First Floor, 24A, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: Mon – Fri (2PM – 9PM), Sat (2PM – 10PM), Sun (11AM – 7PM)

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