A couple have started a crowd funding campaign to get a spaced themed cat cafe in Sydney

CATS, coffee and crowd funding. A couple’s dream to open a space themed cat cafe in Sydney is every bit as awesome as it sounds.

DOES your purr-fact day consist of sipping a locally brewed coffee while being surrounded by feline friends in a space themed cafe?

If so, a new crowd funding campaign could make your dream a reality.

A Sydney couple are trying to follow the high-profile success of cat cafes in Thailand, Japan, and Melbourne by brining one to the harbour city.

Thomas Derricott and his girlfriend, Wenee Yap, first came up with the idea after visiting the original Catmosphere Cafe in Thailand late last year.

Part of the advertising campaign for Catmosphere Cafe

“We spent an hour and a half looking for the cat cafe and when we arrived my girlfriend burst into tears because it was such a bizarre sight,” Mr Derricott said.

“I never envisaged cats and sci-fi to go together, but it’s actually the perfect marriage.”

Feeling there was a market for astronaut-loving-cat-enthusiasts; the young couple approached the owner about franchise options.

“He gave us the go ahead to provide a home for brave astro-cats returning to Earth from galaxies far, far away,” he said.

“Neither of us had hospitality experience, so we have been working hard with a local restaurant owner to learn the ropes.

“We also have been busy speaking with the council in regards to health and safety regulations.”

While ironing out minor hiccups, the couple’s biggest challenge comes in the form of funding the operation.

“The owner of the Thailand cafe is putting in cash and we are also investing ourselves, but that will only give us the shell of a cat cafe,” he said.

“That’s why we started the crowd funding campaign and so far it appears people are really behind the idea.

“In the first 12 hours of launching the campaign, we raised $4,000.”

Incentives offered for donations include coffee and biscuits with the cats, merchandise, VIP tickets to the grand opening and a catmosphere space passport.

Those with a spare $1000 to donate will have the opportunity to name a space cat once the cafe opens.

“We have already had two people pledge for that incentive, so we are off to a great start,” he said.

“However, in order to open the cat cafe in Sydney’s CBD by June, we still need a lot more support.”

If the project gets off the ground, all cats for the cafe will be sourced from local rescue groups.