Cat cafe opening in Auckland

The café has been carefully designed for cats and customers to interact.

Would you like a cat with your coffee? A feline loving lawyer has plans for mixing moggies with mochas in a new cat cafe in Auckland's CBD.

Originally from Christchurch, long-time cat lover Julia Whitehead fell in love with the concept on a recent visit to Thailand and plans to open the BaristaCats Café by December 1.

To bring the "same magic experience" to New Zealand she's chosen ten special cats to roam the café.

Ms Whitehead has worked closely with Auckland Council, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the SPCA to ensure the café is suitable for cats to occupy the same space as customers enjoying their food and coffee.

"The café has been carefully designed to provide great spaces for cats and customers to interact."

It has an open-plan dining space and an adjoining lounge space where customers can get up close and personal with the BaristaCats' tabbies.

Located at 95 Queen Street, Ms Whitehead says the spot will appeal to inner-city workers and residents who may not be able to keep their own pets.

"The choice to locate BaristaCats in Auckland Central reflects the ever-increasing numbers of [people] whom do not have the space or ability to keep their own pets."

BaristaCats will also be available for group hire, corporate events, parties and other special occasions on demand.

Ms Whitehead's not the first to open a cat cafe, with another on Auckland's North Shore due to open soon.

ou can help Ms Whitehead reach her goal of raising $15,000 by donating to Pledgeme.