Find Cat Friendly Places Near Me - The Supakit Cat Map

More and more places are becoming cat-friendly, which is great news for those of us who love exploring with our feline companions. So if you’ve found yourself pondering, ‘how can I find cat-friendly places near me?’, you’ve come to the right place!

Here at Supakit we've built The Cat Map, a community-sourced map of cat-friendly places around the world. From cat parks and trails, to cat friendly hotels and restaurants, it's the perfect way to find awesome places to take cats for fun.

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Whether you’d like to take your cat for a walk in the park, or to a cat-friendly pet store where they can pick out their new fave toy first hand, our adventuring team have put together the ultimate guide to finding cat friendly places near you. 

Read on for their top tips, and when you do find a new cat friendly adventure spot, don't forget to pin it to the Cat Map for others to enjoy!

How to Find Cat-Friendly Parks

While some parks are open to pets, this can often vary by country and location. To check if you are allowed to bring your cat to a park, your first port of call should be the park administrator’s website e.g. the local authority or council. Most will include a detailed breakdown of where pets are and are not allowed. You might also be able to find out if there are any spots where dogs are allowed but must be leashed, which is very handy knowledge, particularly if the rule is enforced (although not so helpful if it is commonly flouted).

We’d advise always going on a practice cat-free visit to the park in question on the same day of the week and time that you’d like to bring your cat there. You’ll be able to get a good sense of how busy it is and whether there are any unexpected hazards to be aware of.

It is also important to have a think about whether there are any wildlife conservation areas nearby which may make your kitty an unwelcome visitor (e.g. because they could pose a threat to any protected wildlife). Finally, have a think about whether there are any cultural sensitivities about bringing a cat to a particular area, for instance if it is a burial site or place of spiritual / religious significance.

How to Find Cat-Friendly Stores

Cat friendly stores certainly do exist! Large stores are a great way to let your kitty stretch your legs if the weather is too cold or wet to venture outdoors. Anecdotally we find that pet stores, garden centres and hardware stores tend to be the most cat-friendly. However, whatever store you have in mind, it’s best to check the store policy first online. Some stores have a managerial discretion policy, but this can vary from location to location. We recommend a phone call to be sure.

Even in dog-friendly stores, it is usually required that the dog be harnessed, so you’ll almost always find that the same rules apply to cats. You can either opt for a harness and leash, or a backpack, or stroller.

It is worth being mindful that stores can often be compact and people-oriented, therefore can be overwhelming for your cat. Your cat will let you know if they’re comfortable through their body language, so take the time to check and make sure they’re doing okay and be prepared to leave if they’re stressed or overwhelmed. Members of the public can also get quite excited when they see a cat in a store, so have a think about how to manage that enthusiasm and mediate the affection and attention your cat receives so that it’s always on their terms. We know of some members of our community who have small signs, badges or T shirts made up with guidance for members of the public about how to interact with their kitty (e.g. look, don’t touch! Or ‘ask my human before stroking me please’).

How to Find Cat-Friendly Vacations

What sort of vacation is best?

If you’d like to take your cat with you on vacation, the first thing to do is have a think about the sort of vacation which might suit them best.

Camping or campervan trip

Camping or campervan trips are a popular choice because they offer a little more freedom and outside space than a hotel-based stay. They also let you bring familiar items with you so that your cat has the reassuring scents of home (e.g. a campervan or tent which you’ve taken the time to familiarise them with in advance). Don’t forget to check with campsite owners that cats are welcome, although we have found that often they have had kitty visitors for decades – taking cats on vacations isn’t such a new phenomenon!

Related post: 'How To Travel With A Cat'

AirBnB vacation rental

AirBnB-style vacation rentals can also be a popular choice because they allow you to give your cat a home-from-home. Most rental sites come with a search filter so you can choose to view only pet-friendly accommodation options. However, we recommend sending a message to the host in advance to check that they are happy with having a cat come to stay. We have found it can be useful to include a picture of our cat in its harness in the message to help hosts imagine what a harness trained kitty looks like if they haven’t encountered one before.

Cat friendly hotels

If you’re interested in finding cat-friendly hotels, we find that the cat community is a great resource – pop a question in a Facebook group (like the Supakit Cat Collective) or on a cat forum to gather recommendations on places people have stayed with their cats before. Word-of-mouth is a great way to find hidden gems!

If you’ve got a specific hotel in mind but aren’t sure whether you’re able to bring your kitty with you, the first place to check is their website – many publish their pet policy online. However, while several commercial hotel chains do advertise a pet-friendly policy, it is always best to check if this is standard throughout every hotel or is down to individual managerial discretion. It’s also worth checking that their pet policy is inclusive to cats and isn’t just designed for dog guests. You may find the answers you need in the hotel website FAQs, or you can telephone ahead before booking to talk through your plans and make sure your kitty will be welcome.

How will you get there?

The next thing to think about how you’re going to get there. Driving is usually the simplest option, depending on how your cat feels about car rides. Some train providers are also willing to take cats (usually in a carrier), or inside a car in the case of drive-aboard trains such as the Eurotunnel. To check, simply look at the rail service operator’s website where you should find their pet policy published.

Finally, flying with your cat is possible, but can be a complicated and stressful process. Whichever mode of transport you choose it’s important to make sure your cat is happy and fear-free in that environment beforehand. If you’re going to be crossing country or state boundaries you’ll need to do some more in depth work to find out what the regulations are about transit of cats and whether they’ll need special paperwork, vaccinations or quarantine to make the journey.

Will you stay with your cat at all times?

Another important consideration is what will happen once you arrive at your vacation destination. Will your cat stay with you at all times? What will you do if they can’t come to certain places with you? If you’re staying in a hotel or rental, make sure that you’ll be able to secure the room or building if you need to leave your kitty while you pop out (e.g. no bathroom windows that don’t close!). If you’re staying in a tent, is it cat-proof or will you need to take your cat with you every time you head out?

How to Find Cat-Friendly Restaurants and Cafes

Wondering if you can take your cat to your fave local café or restaurant? If you have a restaurant or cafe in mind, check their website to see if they have a pet policy (and that it includes cats). If it doesn’t namecheck cats specifically, then it’s wise to call ahead and ask. If you’re looking more generally for a cat friendly restaurant or café, look for venues with outdoor seating options so your kitty can enjoy some fresh air and be away from the hustle and bustle indoors. If you’re in an area known for its wine, we hear that cat-friendly wineries can offer a nice combination of outdoor exploring for your cat and a glass of something special for you!

Please note

The information contained in The Cat Map is contributed by members of the public and is not independently verified by Supakit. We are not able to guarantee that the information is complete or accurate, and cannot accept any responsibility for any ways in which this information is used. If you’d like to suggest a correction to the map or request removal of a business or location, please contact us specifying the pin in question.

Related post: 'Cat Exploring For Beginners With Hasara Lay From Catexplorer'