Jiji Rescue Cat Café

Jiji Rescue Cat Café, located in Middle Cove, Sydney, NSW, Australia, is a unique retreat billed as Australia’s only cat café offering private rescue cat and kitten sessions, having opened its doors in late February 2023. Founded by Yuki Arai, who moved from Japan to Australia a decade ago, the café was inspired by Japan’s popular cat café culture and Yuki’s desire to address Sydney’s stray cat population after years of studying animal care. Visitors can enjoy a variety of beverages—coffee, tea, juice, milkshakes in flavors like matcha and salted caramel—alongside snacks such as gluten-free banana bread, cookies, protein balls, and wraps, all while cuddling and playing with adoptable rescue cats in a cozy lounge. With entry at $15 per person for a 20-minute session (plus $8 for every additional 10 minutes) and a maximum of six guests per booking, the café prioritizes a calm, safe environment for its feline residents, many sourced from local rescue groups, with over 36 cats already rehomed. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Jiji Rescue Cat Café combines a passion for cat welfare with a welcoming space for coffee lovers and potential adopters in Sydney’s North Shore, fostering a community dedicated to finding forever homes for its furry friends.