Pussies galore on World Cat Day

AUSTRALIA’S first cat cafe run by a rescue group is celebrating its third birthday today, which also happens to be World Cat Day.

AUSTRALIA’S first cat cafe run by a rescue group is celebrating its third birthday today, which also happens to be World Cat Day.

The Red Hill landmark, in Brisbane’s inner west, has saved and rehomed countless furry friends since opening, owner Katina Balson said.

The cafe became nationally famous last year when Channel 7’s Sunrise popped in for a live cross.

“Kochie’’ crossed to weatherman Sam Mac, a massive cat lover who heard about the funky cafe.

“It was exhausting because we were up from 4.30am, but it was so much fun,’’ Ms Balson said.

“The attention will also lead to more funding and more adoptions.

“Like all small businesses, we need to constantly put ourselves out there.’’

The cafe, which has 26,000 Facebook followers, is a unique concept where proceeds from food, drink and sales of accessories funds its work rehoming stray cats.

Since it opened, Ms Balson estimated they had rehomed 469 cats and helped with many more.

Pussies Galore Rescue, behind the Cat Cuddle cafe, has been running almost 25 years, saving cats and finding their purrrfect forever homes.

“The CCC has become an amazing place of worship for cat lovers from all over the world as well as a second home for some locals,’’ Ms Balson said.

“Saving the world, one cat at a time, is our mission but along the way we believe we are saving humans, too.

“The rescue is funded by people visiting us and our cats, drinking our organic fair trade coffee, eating cakes and buying from our gift shop and online store.

“Tax deductible donations to the charity of course help with our vet bills.’’