The newest café in Grande Prairie is more than just a place to grab a coffee. Whiskers Cat Café recently opened and its 12 resident cats are here to help. Co-owner Angie Plante believes the business has a lot of benefits for people with disabilities.
“I used to work at a school as a special education assistant and I just wanted to help out with people with disabilities. I find it’s very calming, it’s very zen and lots of people with anxiety come and it’s very relaxing.”
People are able to go into the café’s cat room and sit with the cats for as long as they want. Plante says one regular customer has already shown his appreciation for what the atmosphere does for his anxiety.
“This particular man has high anxiety so he said it just relaxes him, he comes in the evening when it’s quiet; it’s just really comfortable.”
The cafe partners with Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue and most of the cats there are up for adoption. Plante said two have already been adopted since they officially opened on July 28th adding it’s a good alternative to heading to a store in search of a forever friend.
“It’s an easier way for people to also connect with a cat. If they want to adopt them they can come and see how their personalities are, how they mesh; it’s different then going into the pet store and looking at them through the glass.”
Plante adds that she’s planning to start a paint night and a yoga night with the cats this fall. The café and cat room are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday off of 105 Street in the Royal Oaks Plaza.
