Toronto to get its first cat cafe

A dose of cat nip for Toronto pet lovers -- word is soon not only will you not have to fly to Asia to visit a cat cafe, you won't even have to plan a road trip to Montreal or Vancouver (who both have their own scheduled to open this year).

Smitten Kitten Cafe is "still in the infancy stage" according to co-owner Jen Morozowich, and is slated for a yet-to-be-determined address in Koreatown. The concept will be akin to existing kitty cafes, which have become dream destinations for North American animal lovers who for various reasons don't or can't have cats at home: a coffee/pastry item and time to hang out with cute felines, all for a small cover fee.

The cafe won't just be a place to play chess with some friendly aristocats -- there are also plans to sell toys and host movie nights and Q&A's with veterinarians. Morozowich, who's volunteered with the Annex Cat Rescue and Toronto Humane Society, and her business partner, restauranteur Jeff Jarvis, will be sharing more information about Smitten Kitten in May of this year. Since you'll have to wait a while after that to meet these rescue cats (all will be available for adoption), in the meantime you can check out our posts on animal rescue groups and stray cats in Toronto.

Photo via Feline DaCat on Flickr.