Updated: April 9, 2025
Welcome to Purradise! That’s right, Florida is the #1 state for cat cafes in the Unites States. With twenty-four cafes (including a unique mobile cat cafe) and a unique coworking with cats workspace, Florida sits at the top of the cat cafe tree. In fact, Florida is home to nearly 9% of the cat cafes in the United States.
Florida Cat Cafe Trends
Since Orlando Cat Cafe opened near Disney as the first Florida cat cafe in 2016, year-by-year growth has climbed steadily. 2023 saw a record six cafes open in Florida.Â
Prior to 2023, Florida saw an average of over two cat cafes opening per year. Bucking a national trend, 2020 was a blue ribbon year for Florida cat cafe growth, with the opening of five cafes. In the first half of 2024, two new cat cafes have opened. In August 2024, Whiskers Workplace opened in St. Petersburg with a twist on the cat cafe concept: a co-working with cats work space!
Why Is Florida #1 in the Number of Cat Cafes?
Just as Florida has led the country in population growth the past several years, the Sunshine State also leads in cat cafes. But population growth is only a partial explanation for the state’s cat cafe popularity. We get a fuller picture from Desiree Lamb, owner of the new Catnip Cafe & Lounge in Plant City. Desiree explains that cat cafes have emerged as a creative answer to the state’s large stray cat population. A vibrant rescue community has partnered with cat cafes and the cat-loving community have embraced them. Learn about other cat cafe trends here.
Unique Florida Cat Lover Destination
Not only is Florida ranked #1 in cat cafes, it is also home to the only Airbnb in the country where you can glamp with cats! Located near the Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Northern Florida, Purradise Springs is a Cat Sanctuary and Private Retreat where you can stay in a luxury tent with Sanctuary cats. It is the only such experience available in the United States, possibly the world!Â