Cat lovers, line up for this PURRfect café!

Enjoy sipping and purring at UAE's one and only cat café, a heaven for feline lovers.

In the UAE, we brag about the proliferation of gold shops, dates counters and shawarma and sheesha joints; but there is only one cat cafe. Being a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I couldn't resist paying a visit.

Welcome to Ailuromania Café, on Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Road, where all things feline reside - from the food garnishing and the show pieces, to the real fluffy cats. There's the food too - cakes, sandwiches and salads - but this place is definitely not about food.

The cat café is the brainchild of Saudi-born sisters Iman and Allaa Ahmed Al Aulaqi. "Iman and I, graduates in marketing and finance, wanted to start a family business when a friend gave us this idea," said Allaa. "We have always been cat lovers, so we thought cats and business - why not? Two things that we love!" The café cats have mostly been ones rescued from the streets - "but we had to make sure these cats were sociable. If they didn't get along with each other, we'd put them up for adoption," said Allaa, as she stroked Tigger's head; Tigger is an adorable Arabian Mau who sat on her lap and demanded petting.

Ailuromania has 26 cats who snooze on tables and toy with dummy rats. And when they are fed up of humans, they retreat to their 'relaxation room', and so retain that famed, all-important feline dignity.

"There's a variety of breeds - Persian, Rag Doll, Scottish Fold, British Short Hair, Arabian Mau, Himalayan, Siamese, etc. Some of them like to sleep all the time and there are some who love to play or just sit on your lap," added Allaa. As she spoke, Bob lounged on the sofa next to her along with Persian cat Ash, while Snow could be seen warming up to a two-year-old kid.

"Bob is a special cat - he was found very ill, wandering around the neighbourhood. He had a major eye infection. After a month and several vet visits, Bob could finally see," Allaa said.

In Dubai, where many landlords don't allow pets, this cat cafe combines feline communion with food service. As Allaa explained, it's complicated to pull off here because health department rules are very strict. "It took time, but the municipality was supportive. They came up with new rules for us because we were the first: the pantry should not be near the cat area; the cats should be all spayed, neutered and vaccinated; they need to be taken to vets regularly for check-ups."

The staff walks customers through the rules. "Don't carry the cats around; don't feed the cats because our food is different from theirs; kids shouldn't run around, it stresses the cats. If people don't adhere to the rules, we ask them to leave, because the comfort of the cats is priority for us. It is their home after all."

When asked if the trend of cat cafés would catch up, Allaa nodded. "It's a good trend. They are doing well at many places across the world. They also give homes to so many homeless cats."

I had a great time. Everyone talked to each other. Kids couldn't control their excitement, even though the staff warned, "If you make a noise, the cats will run away. If you behave, the cats will come to you." And one guy came in with a fear of cats and left way calmer!

"We have many repeat customers. There are some people - from the time we opened - I have been seeing here every Thursday," Allaa said as she stroked Tigger's neck; he thanked her with the cutest meow.

If you are a cat person, do visit this unique cafe! One piece of advice: don't go there with black clothes because you will be covered in cat hair!

nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com