Loving, playful, cheeky, explorers, affectionate, endearing...
In Spain they were collected last year 33,335 cats, according to the Study on Abandonment and Adoption that the Affinity Foundation It is prepared annually based on data provided by shelters, shelters and protectors throughout the country.
Ten of them have been quite lucky. They can say they have a (temporary) home in polyneko , the new cat café in Madrid which, from its location in Alcala de Henares _(Way of the Sgaravite, 34) _, it has been proposed the goal of finding a forever home for as many as they can.
“We began to value the neko café theme 10 years ago because our father is Chinese and we have always been very interested in Asian culture. We wanted to give it a twist and mix it with animal protection: the kittens instead of being residents here, as is the case in places in Japan, that they be in transit, until they find a home”, explains Melisa Cheung, one of the three partners of Polineko.
If there is feeling, some of them can end up at your house
Sail, Tayr; Koleos, Kangoo and Kadjar (better known as the Renault brothers because they were born in an engine) ; Fidelius … Hopefully during your visit you won't be able to meet any of them. It's not that we wish you any harm, it's that it means that someone has already given them a house. Judging by the data, there is a good chance that it will: 14 adoptions in two months, since September.
“Cats are very special, each one has a very own personality. They have a reputation that they are not affectionate, that they are treacherous, that they are surly… “
"They are not like this. Cats are living beings that need love, attention and love it. Some more, others less, but like people”, Melisa clarifies knowingly, ATV (Veterinary Technical Assistant) with more than 20 years of experience in the field of ethology.
In addition to breaking myths about the bad character of felines, Polineko also wants raise awareness of the importance of adoption, banish the purchase option from our heads and bring the work of shelters closer, located on the outskirts of Madrid, in the center of the city.
They are the owners and lords of the neko cafe
"Cats are not chosen by us, the shelters bring us those who they consider need to be here” Melissa clarifies.
“The only thing we ask is that at the veterinary level they come with all their tests, with their vaccines, those who have been sterilized for more than five months; Y that they are cats that are going to be comfortable here: that are sociable with people and with cats. And nothing else because they are all handsome. Reason is not lacking.
Sunrise , in Camarma de Esteruelas; ** Pedrezuela leaving a mark ** ; ** Soul Association **, in San Blas; ** Rivanimal ** … are just some of the associations with which they collaborate.
welcome to your home
They are the ones in charge of managing the adoptions, not Polineko. “If someone tells me that they want to adopt a certain cat, based on how I see the cat interacting with that person, I call the shelter and tell them my opinion. But it is the hostel that stays with that person, interviews them and explains the rules”.
If you like cats, you already know: they are the ones who choose you. This is the case of Disaster, a kitten who was hit by a car and who, after several operations, suffered the amputation of one leg and her tail.
“Disaster was a very good cat, but she was very scared. When she got here, she was always hiding behind a cushion on a sofa. She came a family to meet another cat they had seen on the website. They sat on the sofa without knowing that Disaster was there, and then she came out, climbed on top of the lady, snuggled up and they fell in love with her. In the end they adopted both of them.”
Human, the world is mine
Places like Polineko are useful to contribute to the success of an adoption. “The reason for opening this cat café is that it be adopted by feeling, not because you liked one in a photo. Then it is one of the reasons for the returns”.
You can go as many times as you want. In this neko cafe you pay for the time you spend there, not for consumption. "The entrance is four euros for half an hour and they are invited to the drink they want; or six euros for an hour. If there are more drinks, they are paid separately.
For your letter they roam freely dorayakis, those delicious Japanese cakes, and original imported cereals. To water these proposals? japanese beers , coffees, ecological infusions, smoothies, juices or soft drinks.
These kittens need love and attention
What if, gawk for hours watching the cats play it is possible, but not only of that the human being lives.
For this reason, in Polineko they begin to launch activities: language exchange or guitar concerts by local musicians weekends. "The cats love it because it's all very melodic music, very soft and they remain hypnotized."
So go go as many times as you need, until he or she finds you and until you are aware, well aware, of the step you are about to take.
“You have to think about it because you are bringing a member of the family who will be with you for 15 or 20 years. It is not possible to raise the I take it now and tomorrow I leave it”.
And always, always, remember that you are a guest in their house, so follow the rules: do not raise your voice, do not run, do not make sudden movements with them, give them love but do not force them and, of course, nothing to disturb them when they are eating or sleeping. Imagine if they did it to you...
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