Cuddles owner says sorry, to sell cat cafe

SINGAPORE — The owner of Cuddles Cat Cafe — which recently came into the spotlight after several of its cats died — is putting up his cafe for sale, while the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore yesterday said it will not renew its interim licence to display animals while investigations into the cafe are in progress.

In a lengthy Facebook post, cafe owner Jonathan Tan announced he was putting his business up for a “takeover” and apologised for the death of seven of the 30 cats bought for the four-month-old cafe.

The 30-year-old attributed the death of the cats — from sterilisation surgery, as well as the fatal Feline Infectious Peritonitis disease — to his inexperience. He also disclosed details about the other conditions suffered by his cats.

One of the cats, Cloudy, developed ringworm, a contagious itching skin disease which occurs as small circular patches, caused by fungi and affecting chiefly the scalp or the feet. The disease spread to the owner’s other cats and some of the cafe’s ex-employees.

Three other cats, Muffin, Waffles and Snowflake, suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to over-feeding of wet canned food. He wrote: “I am seeking forgiveness from the public, and to express my utmost regret and remorse on the current situation.”

Referring to the transfer of the cafe’s ownership, Mr Tan said the cats should be kept together under the new owner. “I would have hoped for an opportunity to improve, but circumstances would not allow it. I am truly sorry about everything,” he said.

He also addressed concerns raised on the cafe’s training standards. “I have been on a learning journey since the opening of the cafe, and I regretfully admit that there were lapses in the standards in the initial phase of the cafe. I have learnt from my mistakes and raised our standards significantly since, but I understand that I should not be excused for my past mistakes,” he said.

When contacted by TODAY, Mr Tan declined to comment on the AVA’s decision not to renew the cafe’s interim licence to display animals, which expired yesterday. Staff members TODAY spoke to said they were uncertain whether the cafe would continue operations without the cats and, as of press time, were still awaiting further instructions.

One employee, Billy Aw, 18, said: “I feel very sad. If someone else takes over the business, the atmosphere might feel very different as this cafe is solely the boss’ idea and concept.”

Another employee, Farhan Hazri, 18, said: “The safety and welfare of the cats are of paramount importance to me. Of course, it’ll be better if Jonathan can continue being the boss as I feel he has really done his best for the cats.”

Ex-employee Fiona Foo, 23, said: “We just want the cats to be fine. If he’s selling the business to a very suitable owner for the benefit of the cats, why not? But if he’s selling the business to get back some money to pay off his debts, then it’ll be very unfair to the new owner.”