Gatú: this is the cafeteria for cat lovers that promotes responsible adoption

Kittens and coffee

Imagine that one day you are overwhelmed by the stress of work and you want to have a coffee with a delicious dessert in a pleasant atmosphere. You go to a cafeteria, which in addition to offering you everything already mentioned, offers you soft, small paws to touch you with curiosity and tenderness; and that one of the owners of those ‘soft paws’ with her purring — almost therapeutic — shows you that cats are affectionate beings and that they generate joy. This is how we could describe a visit to the Gatú area, inside the cattiest cafeteria in Lima.

The origin of Gatú

Claudia Orihuela explains that they have had the idea for Gatú Cat Café since 2020, when she and her partner, Pamela Battifora, got together to help homeless kittens during the pandemic. They both had the same dream: to open a cat café and help kittens.

“We formed a small business, where we sold ‘hoodies’ and with the profits, we rescued kittens and gave them up for adoption, but always working with a view to one day opening a cat cafe. So, after a lot of effort and after three years we have been able to open Gatú Cat Café, with the idea of ​​making our aid project sustainable and being this showcase that allows people to get to know the kittens, interact with them, and if you generate a connection special with some you can apply to adopt them”adds Orihuela.

Pamela remembers that at the beginning, parallel to the sale of ‘hoodies’, they rescued kittens. “At first we rescued directly, but we also helped rescuers and people who rescued kittens with outreach and with funds for veterinary care. We have always been involved in this work and with that common goal,” she complements.

The cafeteria has three areas. The first is a large room where you do not have interaction with kittens but you can see them through glass; The second space is the Gatú area, where you can enter to play with the adoptable kittens and interact with them; and the third space is an area where you will find gourmet products, from a company also with a noble purpose.

The letter

This cafeteria has good coffee of Peruvian origin. You can order a traditional Americano or try a latte made with vegetable drinks and with the face of a beautiful kitten, to make this visit even more ‘catty’.

“Although we are a themed cafeteria and we focus on the adoption of kittens, we also wanted to have a quality gastronomic offer. From the coffee we offer to the dishes we offer on our menu. From sandwiches, toasts and vegan options too. It is very important to us that people who come to Gatú can have a good experience also from the gastronomic side.”, indicates Orihuela.

Additionally, if you don’t like coffee, you will find other options such as natural sodas, fruit infusions, the trendy matcha and an extensive menu of desserts and sandwiches.

There is something for all tastes and budgets. From sandwiches with animal proteins, salads, to preparations made 100% plant-based. Traditional desserts such as delicious vegan desserts. Some of our recommendations are: tostón with hummus and avocado, tostón with avocado and cherry tomato, cinnamon rolls, cookies with peanut butter and brownie with peanut butter.

Gourmet products

Within Gatú, there is a Gourmet area where you will find oils, olives, and value-added products that seek fair payment for the products. Mariany Morón, founder of Casa Colca, explains that she is a “company that seeks to give recognition to the Peruvian farmer.”

“I am an olive farmer from the Yauca Valley, in Arequipa. My parents are farmers and my grandparents were farmers too. For so many years I have been aware of the problems that plague the sector in Peru. Casa Colca seeks to be a tool so that Peruvian farmers as well as small businesses have a window to display their products and these can be recognized for their great quality and flavor.”Add.

Responsible adoption

Currently, the kittens found in the Gatú area are from three educational and rescue associations: Adoptamiu, Orfagatorio and Patitas Resi. All of these small and playful felines are up for responsible adoption, you will find puppies to adult cats, which tend to be the ones that take the longest to come up for adoption.

If you go to Gatú and fall in love with one of the kittens, like the beautiful Rory and Lorelai from the Gilmore cats litter, you can apply to adopt them. Battifora indicates that to adopt, there are some requirements that will guarantee that it is a responsible adoption. For example, some are that the person applying is of legal age, that they be willing to place safety nets on windows and balconies to prevent them from falling or getting lost, that they eat premium food and opt for veterinarians specialized in felines, and thus prevent any health problems in the future.

Gatu has the perfect mix of good food, cozy atmosphere and kittens. Nothing can go wrong in life with kittens around. If you go to the cafeteria, enjoy their company; and if they fall in love with someone and decide to adopt them, they will have unconditional love at home.

Retail:

• Address: Calle Berlin 359, Miraflores
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm
• Average ticket: 30 soles
• To enter the Gatú area you must reserve and there is a fee of 10 soles for the maintenance of the kittens.