Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pebbles Kitty Cat Café?
Pebbles Kitty Cat Café is a cozy cat cafe where six cats currently reside. Our guests are essentially visiting the cats and can enjoy petting, playing, and watching their antics while having something to eat or drink. Although they do also love to take naps regularly!
What can I expect from a visit to Pebbles Kitty Cat Café?
Arrival:
When you arrive, you’ll first enter our hallway. This is a cat lock with double doors to prevent the cats from escaping. Please make sure the doors are never open at the same time! The inner door is locked, and one of our staff members will come to welcome you and open the door as soon as possible.
After that, you can choose a spot or be assigned a table. Is it your first time at Pebbles? Be sure to let us know—we’d love to explain our concept! We’ll also highlight the house rules. These can be found on our website and in the booklet on your table. The house rules are in place to ensure the well-being of our cats.
During your visit:
After browsing our menu filled with tasty snacks and drinks, one of our staff members will take your order at the table. In the meantime, you can explore the cat café. Can you spot all the cats? Some may be lounging on tables, walking around, or napping up high in the trees. Sometimes they’re in the mood to play, feel free to ask our staff what each cat’s favorite toy is!
Keep in mind that cats sleep up to 18 hours a day, so they might not always be very active during your visit. When your food or drinks arrive, please watch out, because our cats might try to sneak a bite! They love it, but they are not allowed to eat human food.
After 1.5 hours, your time slot ends and you can pay at the window near the kitchen. Don’t forget to check out our merchandise display case, there’s something for everyone. Thank you so much for your visit, and we hope to see you again soon!
Where did the idea of a cat café originate from?
The concept of the cat café originated in Asia. The very first one opened in Taiwan in 1998. Since then, it has become increasingly popular around the world and reached the Netherlands in 2015. There are now about 15 cat cafés in the Netherlands. Pebbles Kitty Cat Café was the third to open and is the first—and only—cat café in Rotterdam.
Why is there an entrance fee of €3.50 per person?
In addition to the costs every hospitality business faces, we also have extra expenses for our cats. We have fewer tables and chairs than a regular café to make sure it doesn’t get too crowded for the cats. On top of that, cat care comes with extra costs—think vet bills, vaccinations, litter, flea and worm treatments, special diet food, etc.
So the entrance fee is a contribution to the care of the cats. The entrance fee also applies to children. Please note: a purchase from the menu is required. After all, we are still a hospitality business!
Why do you have house rules, and what happens if they are broken?
The house rules are there to protect the well-being of the cats. You can find them HERE. Although we expect that our visitors—being cat lovers—will treat the cats with respect and care, unfortunately, that’s not always guaranteed. That’s why we’ve established clear house rules. If someone breaks these rules, a staff member will address the issue. In case of repeated or serious violations, the person(s) involved will be asked to leave the café. We ask all visitors to always follow the instructions of our staff.
What are the opening hours?
We are open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00–17:00 and Saturday & Sunday from 10:30–17:00.
Is the café wheelchair accessible?
The café is wheelchair accessible, except for the toilet. There is a small threshold of about 2 cm at the entrance of the café, but our staff is happy to help if needed! There’s plenty of space inside to move around with a wheelchair.
Do you work with volunteers?
Yes, we do! Clients from the Pameijer Foundation also work with us. These are individuals with, for example, (mild) intellectual disabilities or mental health challenges. Since 2021, they’ve been helping out with service, in the kitchen, and with caring for the cats.
In addition, we have a few other volunteers involved in the café, as well as other staff.
When is the café busy or quiet?
The café is usually busiest on weekends and during (school) holidays. If you’d like a more peaceful visit, we recommend coming during the week (Thursday is usually the quietest day) or in the morning on weekends.
How many cats live in the cat café?
Currently, there are 6 cats living in our café: Pixel, Roffa, Giny, Misty, Luna, and Shade.
Where do the cats come from?
Our cats come from a local animal shelter. They have been living in the cat café for their entire lives, so this is truly their home.
Isn’t it dirty, a cat café?
Not at all! In fact, because we have cats, extra attention is paid to cleanliness. Cats are very clean animals that also want a clean environment. We vacuum and mop daily. Additionally, the litter boxes are cleaned twice a day and are located in a separate area with a ventilation system. The cats are not allowed in the kitchen, storage, or restrooms.
How are the cats cared for?
We want the best for our cats. They receive high-quality food from the brand Hill’s, always have access to clean and fresh water, and have sufficient enrichment through toys. They can retreat when needed. Additionally, they are de-wormed and treated for fleas every three months. They receive their annual check-up and vaccinations at the vet. If anything is wrong, the vet is just around the corner! On days when we’re closed, someone is always present to care for the cats. We also have a surveillance camera to monitor the cats.
Do you have kittens?
No, we do not have kittens.
I want to know more about the cats!
Check our website under “Our Cats” or the highlights on Instagram for more information about each cat.
I have a cat for adoption; can it stay with you?
No, we do not have space for new residents. We advise you to contact a local animal shelter.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are not mandatory, but they are recommended. It’s very easy to book, which you can do HERE. Especially during holidays and weekends, we tend to get fully booked. You can take a chance and walk in, but a spot is not guaranteed.
What time slots are available?
We have time slots of 1.5 hours:
Saturday & Sunday
10:30-12:00
12:15-13:45
14:00-15:30
15:30-17:00
Can I stay longer than 1.5 hours?
You can stay longer only if it is quiet and no new guests are arriving. Feel free to ask a staff member during your visit if this is possible. We cannot guarantee in advance that you’ll be able to stay longer.
Can I bring my own cat or pet?
No, this is not allowed. It would be very stressful for our cats and likely for your pet as well!
Can I bring children?
Children of all ages are welcome, but they must follow the house rules, just like all our other guests. Each child is different, so we ask parents/guardians to assess whether their child can adhere to the house rules and to supervise them during the visit. For more information on visiting with children, please check this page.
I want to cancel my reservation.
Reply to the reservation confirmation email you received, or email/call us to cancel your reservation.
I’m late for my reservation.
If you’re more than 10 minutes late, give us a call to let us know, and we’ll keep the table for you. After 30 minutes from the start of the time slot, we consider it a no-show and may give the table away to another cat lover.
Are there options if I have something to celebrate?
Absolutely! For birthdays or other festive occasions, we can decorate the table—just let us know when you make your reservation. Please note: due to the safety of our cats, we cannot allow lit candles or confetti!
You can also book a High Tea with us. This costs €30 per person (including entrance fee) and must be reserved at least one week in advance. Use our contact form or give us a call!
It’s also possible to rent the café for your special event. Use our contact form for more information and a price quote.
Can I buy a gift card?
Yes, you can purchase a gift card starting at €10. These are available at the cat café itself or HERE in our webshop. Gift cards can only be used in the café.
Do you also sell merchandise?
Yes! In the café, we sell all kinds of fun cat-related merchandise—great for yourself or as a gift. Some items are available in our webshop, but most are sold in the café.
Do you organize events or workshops?
Yes, we do! We regularly organize events like Cat Yoga, Movie Night, Cat Painting, and more. Check HERE on our webshop or the homepage of our website for the current event calendar.
Can I do an internship at the cat café?
Yes, we regularly have interns. Check HERE to see if we currently have an open spot for an internship. Please note: being able to speak Dutch is required.
Are you hiring?
For open job positions, check HERE.
Can I make a donation?
Absolutely! You can donate via our webshop HERE.
I have another question.
Fill in our contact form, email us, or give us a call. We’re happy to help!