SASKATOON — Almost two weeks after their broken window was replaced, The Purrfect Cup Cat Café co-owner Sydney Sylvester is again facing the same problem. Footage from the establishment’s CCTV saw a person kicking the same window that was broken last month.
“We had our new window replaced not even 13 days ago. It has once again been smashed by some loser with nothing better to do than roundhouse kick the window and smash it. It's only a matter of time before this happens on the cat side,” Sylvester posted on social media.
“What is our city coming to? Why is nothing being done about the destruction of businesses due to vandalism? We will board this window up for now. The window is not worth replacing again.”
She said they have not finalized everything but plan to move the café to a more significant and safer part of the city. They are looking for spaces in Circle Drive, Lawson, and Canarama.
“We have not finalized everything yet. There are a few steps, mainly funding, to get the ball rolling. There is no valid reason for us to be downtown any longer. This is why we will be leaving the downtown core area,” said Sylvester.
This new location would be [almost three times] larger than our current spot. We would have room for a kitchen, restaurant, and a completely separate cat room with ventilation.”
However, the new location would require them to increase the prices of their products. However, it will also have free parking, a separate restaurant area for lunch and dinner, and a larger cat room with more seating, lessening the risk of vandalism and theft.
Sylvester added that their lease at their current location ends on April 30, allowing them to move the café to a new area. They need more significant funding for the move and the renovation of the facility they will occupy.
She said they launched a GoFundMe page to be able to raise $25,000 to secure a larger loan for the move and renovation; the page has already raised close to $2,500 as of Tuesday, Jan. 7. People can also make cash and cheque donations at the café during business hours or e-transfer them to [email protected].
“With your help, the cat cafe can be in a safer location for the cats, guests, and staff. We are incredibly grateful for the help. Thank you so much. We will get through this,” said Sylvester.
The café opened in 2022, where they accept monetary and in-kind donations—cat food and kitty litter—that they send to the Battlefords Humane Society pet rescue centre. They also help in cat adoption, provide grooming tips, and promote the importance of spaying and neutering.
