Cat Cafes in Richmond, British Columbia

Richmond, British Columbia

PETPLS is a pet food and supply store with a cat room on No. 3 Road in central Richmond, steps from Richmond-Brighouse Canada Line station. Behind the shop, visitors can book time in a cat room shared by a mix of cats, some of them adoptable rescue cats fostered for Mountainside Hope Rescue. Visits are sold in half-hour and one-hour sessions, with up to eight guests per session, and advance booking is strongly recommended. Children under 5 are not admitted, and children 5 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Guests wear socks and sanitized slippers in the cat room. Visitors who want to adopt apply online through the cat's profile, and adopters get a lifetime store discount. The store sells food, treats, litter and supplies, supports local rescues and offers cat boarding. Free two-hour parking is in the building's garage, entered from Cook Road.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Richmond, British Columbia

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary is a large cat sanctuary run by the Regional Animal Protection Society on No. 6 Road in East Richmond, behind Phoenix Perennials. It is home for life to several hundred cats who are unlikely to be adopted elsewhere, including seniors, former ferals, shy cats and cats with FIV, leukemia or other chronic conditions, many of whom roam freely through the buildings and outdoor enclosures. The public can visit on weekend afternoons with a paid ticket, best bought in advance, and is asked to keep visits to about an hour. Children under 6 are not admitted, and children under 13 must be supervised. Not all cats are friendly, so visitors ask before touching, let the cats approach and bring no treats. Occasionally a cat becomes ready for adoption, but the sanctuary is mainly a lifelong home; visitor fees and sponsorships fund its care. Parking is very limited.

• Booking recommended