Rules and Values

On this page you can read about our values and the reasons for the way we do things. We love our cats and we want our customers to enjoy their time with us interacting with the cats and appreciating the food and drinks we have to offer, in comfort and safety. That's why we have house rules, an age policy, and terms and conditions. You can also see our mission statement and welfare statement, where we attempt to put down our values in a few words.

House Rules

Please understand that the rules are in place to ensure the health, happiness and welfare of our cats, customers and staff.

Please read and follow the guidelines on the MEET THE CATS folder provided on each table.

Respect: When visiting Bedford Cat Café, which is the home of our cats, please be respectful to them (and their human carers).
Hygiene: Please regularly use the hand sanitiser provided and wait until your hands are dry before touching the cats. This is to protect our cats and customers from germs.
Children: Children under 6 years old are not allowed in the café and we ask that you supervise your older children (under 12) to be kind and gentle around our cats. Please see the age policy for full details.
No Handling: Do not pick up the cats, for any reason. Do not move cats off chairs, tables or laps - let us do that for you. Do not approach cats on other people’s tables or laps.
No Feeding: Do not feed the cats anything - human food is often dangerous to cats. Do not leave food unattended and always cover your food with the food cover provided. Do not carry hot drinks around the café. You may leave drinks on the table.
No Waking: Do not wake a sleeping cat. You may very gently stroke them, but if they seem unhappy about being disturbed, please leave them alone.
No Chasing: Do not chase cats or pull them down from their cat equipment - Leave them to roam and come to you – or call them over.
Equipment: Do not sit or climb on the cat equipment - it is for cats only.
Alcohol etc: We do not allow anyone in the café if they appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No smoking, vaping or electronic cigarettes in the cafe at any time. Do not roll cigarettes in the café – nicotine can poison the cats.

Age Policy

Please understand that the age policy is in place for the safety of our cats and customers.

No under sixes: Bedford Cat Café cannot allow entry to anyone under 6 years old, including non-mobile babies.
Proof of Age: Please bring proof of age for all children aged 6-10. Proof of age can be a photo or hardcopy of a birth certificate; passport; red book; NHS letter/school letter or email that states date of birth; and more. We try to be as flexible as possible with what we can accept but we do have to see something. If you are unsure drop us an email to bcc@jns.me.uk
Supervision: For every 2 children under the age of 12 there must be at least one adult (aged 16 or over) to supervise them as they move around the cafe, and interact with cats.
Adult Present: At least one person in the booking must be an adult (aged 16 or over).

Terms and Conditions

Rules: By visiting Bedford Cat Café you agree to follow our house rules and age policy.
Refusal of Entry: Entry may be refused, with no refund under the following conditions:
- No proof of age is shown for a child between 6 and 10 years old.
- You have not checked your booking details and turn up at the wrong time or on the wrong day.
- You have booked for a large group which includes children and have not contacted us to discuss child to adult ratios.
- You appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Respect: Rudeness to staff will not be tolerated and may result in refused entry or termination of booking with no refund.
Scratches: You are closely interacting with live animals and whilst every care is taken to prevent scratches, Bedford Cat Cafe cannot be held responsible if someone is scratched by a cat.
Cancellation: The admission fee that you pay when booking a table is non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, and you contact us with at least 24 hours notice, we will re-arrange your booking and the admission fee will be transferred to your new booking. If you give less than 24 hours notice, you will forfeit the admission fee.

Mission Statement

Here at Bedford Cat Café we believe that cats are quite simply amazing and we love them. Not only are they wonderful cuddly balls of fluff but according to research, they are also good for the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of humans too. From cat purrs and strokes lowering blood pressure and slowing heart rates, to cat ownership improving mental health and emotional wellbeing, there is lots of research that tells us how beneficial it is for humans to spend time around cats. It is the mission of Bedford Cat Café to create a happy and safe space for our resident café cats to live in, and invite customers into this space to share our love of cats and enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of being in the company of cats. Bedford Cat Café also aims to promote the benefits of cat ownership and cat adoption and highlight ‘overlooked cats’ (older cats or cats with disabilities). All of this will be achieved whilst maintaining the highest standards of cat care and animal welfare. Bedford Cat Café welcomes you to come and meet our resident café cats and let them show you how to relax, de-stress and be happy. So come on in, there’s a whole lot of cats in here.

Welfare Statement

The welfare of Bedford Cat Café resident cats is our highest priority and we hold an Animal Welfare Licence to ensure the highest standards are maintained. As we welcome the public into Bedford Cat Café to share our cat’s home and spend time with them, it is vital that these interactions do not harm the welfare and wellbeing of the resident café cats. We therefore ask the public to understand that we have to have rules in place to ensure the cats welfare and that our trained staff will be on hand to ensure that the rules are followed and that the highest standards of cat welfare are maintained at all times. The house rules of Bedford Cat Café will be displayed in the café space, they will also be explained by staff to everyone entering the café to ensure customers understand how to engage with the resident café cats during their time in Bedford Cat Café. All cats in Bedford Cat Café will be neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites. Bedford Cat Café does not keep cats under the age of 12 months.