Mew Haven Cat Café: coffee, cats, confections and connections

by Charmagne Eckert

“When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: H is mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular name.” T he Naming of Cats (excerpt) T.S. Elliot

Mew Haven Cat Café, the first cat café to come to Connecticut, celebrated its first year of coffee, sweets and cat human connections in August of 2019. In this this cozy kitty-infused space, located in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven, visitors can sip a latté, nibble a cupcake, and bask in the company of – well, cats.

Cats. Loved, derided, demonized, idealized –even designated “the servant of the living God” by 18th century poet Christopher Smart – these small, fiercely furry domestic mammals eternally provoke both delight and exasperation in their human companions. For those seeking t o engage in mindfulness of thought and action, the cat is the perfect model; eyes fixed on a fascinating insect or hapless rodent for endless minutes with a concentration so perfect that t he space between hunter and hunted vibrates with an almost tangible energy. The cat, so fully and unselfconsciously engaged in the stillness of the moment, mesmerizes the onlooker with its contained energy and lithe motion.

Angela Pullo and Michael Pullo

Of course, comedy is never far from the feline’s repertoire either. There are few sights more humorous than the antics of a cat tearing around corners in pursuit of a toy, lurching off the couch onto the carpet after a cat nip enhanced session of play, or in the throws of the ‘kitty crazies’ that can send a cat on a random and frantic tear around a room for no discernable reason. Another element of interest to many is the growing body of research that indicates that time with cats is good for people’s health. Any cat lover will attest that simply being near a kitty will improve overall emotional and mental well being, but there is growing evidence that cat companions might have additional benefits as well; notably in helping with the prevention of heart disease and, increasingly, as therapy animals working with children with autism. (WebMD, American Veterinarian)

While not everyone appreciates the forthright independent ways of the cat, their engaging, often amusing company is compelling enough that, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 25% of households in the United States are home to one or more of these domesticated relatives of felis silvestris. But what happens when circumstances prohibit keeping a furry companion in one’s own abode? Enter the cat café. Of course, public spaces featuring kittyhosts have existed for a long time – think the smartly marked tuxedo cat in the wine bistro on Les Champs Elysees, the sleepy tabby in the Dublin pub, the celebrated bodega cats of New York or the gregarious beach-bar ginger in Bonaire – but the first cat café to be designated by media coverage, as such, opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. The concept quickly spread to Japan where it was embraced, personalized and adjusted to meet the demand of urban dwellers seeking snacks, beverages, and feline company. From there the idea of a social space catering to people pursuing both human and kitty companionship migrated to Europe, Australia, Africa and, most recently, to the Americas. Cat cafés are great for any cat lover but they provide a special service to those who, for whatever reasons, are unable to keep a furry friend at home.

Mew Haven Cat Café was conceived of by Angela and Michael Pullo who, seeing the need for a place where people could recharge and connect, merged their love of cats with t heir concept for a welcoming bistro space where cats and humans could become acquainted and even form lasting friendships. Although the number of fourpawed hosts varies, there are typically 6 or more cats in residence at any one time. All the cats at Mew Haven come to the café from the private no-kill shelter, The Animal Haven, and are available for adoption. While it is in no way a requirement to adopt a cat, there have been over 42 cats who have found forever homes over the time the café has been open. The kitties selected for Mew Haven are comfortable with people and the informal, interactive environment is the perfect setting for each to exhibit their individual personalities – so for those seeking the right feline fit, a visit to the café is a wonderful, stress-free option.

The layout of Mew Haven is thoughtfully designed to maximize both human and feline contentment. There are a variety of perches, near ceiling height walkways, and hiding nooks for the kitties – there’s even ‘kitty vision’ featuring cat-enticing bird images. Comfortable seating for the patrons includes tables where one might open books and computer and cushioned chairs conducive to a petting session with a furry acquaintance. The coffee, teas and sweet baked treats are sourced from local and regional producers (many cat themed themselves) that focus on sustainability and boutique quality, and there are a number of fun and useful Mew Haven gift items sure to delight any cat lover in one’s life.

In addition to standard cat lounge outings, there is the opportunity to tailor a visit to fit a variety of private events. There are the three-hour Work/Study Sessions that include free refills on coffee (the café of course is Wi-Fi equipped), Trivia Night, and the everpopular Yoga with Cats led by a certified (and cat loving) yoga instructor. Private gettogethers are also welcomed; from birthday parties to small, themed gatherings like Knitting with Kitties or Photographing Cats, and patrons are encouraged to share their cat inspired concepts for a custom occasion.

For those exploring cat adoption, seeking a “kitty fix,” or just wanting to get to know more about these enigmatic and entertaining animals, Mew Haven is a delightful and unusual destination.

For reservations and additional information visit: www.mewhavencatcafe.com Mew Haven Cat Café is located at: 904 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT 06515 (475) 441-7877