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Services Offered
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Animal shelters
Review Highlights
“Neko also has a decent selection of drinks for purchase and some resident cat swag to buy.” in 9 reviews
“All cats are from the Whatcom Humane Society, and they have an awesome space to nap, climb, explore and hang out.” in 2 reviews
“My son and I were very excited to experience our first cat cafe and we were not disappointed.” in 2 reviews
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Overall rating
41 reviews
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- Taylor S.Denver, CO47375416190Dec 2, 2020
When it comes to cat love, Neko does it best. They crush service, offer up some amazing retail and provide a space for you to love on some kitties and they can find permanent homes. They have leveled up the adoption game and also provide a stylish home and loving environment for their house cats.
I love their retail, and want every single piece they have on their site. I can't wait to come back to Bellingham and visit their space here. In the meantime, I hope you consider checking them out and supporting local this holiday season.Helpful 26Thanks 0Love this 21Oh no 0 - Elizabeth M.Seattle, WA8266155Sep 26, 2020
NEKO cat cafe is a cool place to go especially during a rainy weekend in Bellingham. Unfortunately we unknowingly timed out reservation with a birthday group of about 10 eight year old girls so they monopolized they cat cafe a bit and drove the cats away. We still got plenty of petting in .
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Nichole V.Bellingham, WA36216843Feb 14, 2020
Loved the Bellingham Neko location that opened today. I had previously visited Neko in Seattle and although just as fun, the Bellingham location is much bigger and full of cats with lots of different personalities. Some sleepy, some playful, some lounging high up and some that wanted attention and treats. The pawtenders are there to help and there are small snacks and drinks available as well as merch. Lots of photo opportunities & seating. This will be my favorite indoor activity in town.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Ann B.Happy Valley, OR03320Sep 21, 2022
Love love love!! Wish the session was longer. It's a bit spends for the time allowed. Love all the kitties.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Alyster V.Meridian, Bellingham, WA07Mar 1, 2020
EDIT: I am happy the owner repsonded and hope they follow through with making the environment for the kitties better. I was offered a refund and a free item from the menu. I will not pursue the refund because the funds benefit the cats and I don't want to take that away from them. I am increasing my star rating because of the response.
I was initially excited to go and had a reservation with a couple friends but upon arriving the two girls up front were not very clear or helpful as to how we were supposed to check in or when to go in even though we asked specific questions and kept getting passed back and forth between the two girls with no answers. One girl thought I had already been there and just came out even though I just arrived.
After entering our session it seemed exciting at first but quickly became stressful. Other customers were being very rude and pushy with the cats and chasing them down. There was a backroom as a safe zone with cat doors that only the cats could enter but one customer was near the cat entrance at one point and forced one to come back out when it tried to escape. Some of the cats were fast asleep or out of reach on the shelves thankfully but the ones who were not looked very stressed and kept trying to escape people. There was a young boy in my group and he was far more well bahaved and considerate to the animals than the adults and he was the only child at this time.
My friend mentioned the way people were behaving to one of the employees only for her to state that she nomrally tries to maintain them but was tired at the moment. Very loud bar music was also playing in the lounge area, which I believe only escalated the stress for some of the cats.
I only bought one treat and although it was absolutely adorable it tatsed not so great. One of their teas I tried tasted exactly like cough syrup. Their drinks are pretty pricey so I would be cautious about trying them.
I really want to like the idea of this place because it can promote adoption for the cats and give them a nicer large foster home until adopted but it was sad to see the stressed and overwhelmed cats. I think that a calmer and lower volume music should be played and the employess should be more consistent maintaining the rowdy cusotmers. I believe the environment was not a very healthy one for these animals. It was very sad to witness. I hope this business learns to make some adjustments for the sake of the cats health.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Leah F.
Mar 2, 2020
Hi Alyster,
Thank you so much for sharing this feedback with us, we take your concerns very seriously!
I'm incredibly sorry to hear that your visit didn't meet expectations, and that our staff didn't communicate properly about the check-in process. We will absolutely touch base with them to ensure that they are more detail-oriented, especially on weekends when we are at our busiest! We'll also make sure to reiterate our policies regarding keeping customers respectful of the kitties and other humans in the room. I apologize that you felt stressed out, and that you were worried about the kitties. That's the last thing we want.
I think you'll find that weekday mornings/afternoons are a much calmer time to visit, and that even then, the kitties sometimes choose to hang out in the highest of spaces. Many of these kitties have spent their last several years in cages at the shelter, so we're delighted to provide space where they have free reign over the cat room. Please know that every cat we take in we treat as our own and give them every ounce of love, compassion and care we have. They are the heart of our mission here at NEKO and everything we do is in service of their comfort.
Please reach out to us here so I can refund your visit, and I'd also love to offer you a complimentary drink or nibble if you plan to visit us again. We hand-picked the items on our menu and believe that there is something delicious waiting for you! The kitties would love to see you again if you're willing to give us another chance.
Meow,
Leah - Karyn S.Great Falls, MT1423432467Mar 1, 2020
NEKO was an absolutely purrfect way to spend some afternoon time with the most adorable kitties!
I love the concept to getting to play with adoptable cats who get play, affection and love in the sweetest decorated space.
You do need to make a reservation in advance and is $10 for 1 hr. My only feedback was there are 25 people capacity for the room and it felt crowded. Everyone is trying to pet cats that are in reach, while many of the cats are comfortably lounging up high on the shelves and unable to pet. I hope they might reconsider to limit the room to 15-20 people at most. This would allow more of us to have an opportunity to pet the cats and sit near where they are, as many of us didn't get much of an opportunity to sit and pet the cats.
You aren't allowed to pick up the cats, and get to pet them only if in reach or pet if they come to snuggle and jump on your lap.
There are cat toys, the staff handed out little treats to help entice the cats to come to you, and is a very comfortable and fun space.
Staff was super friendly, the cafe offered some sweet treats and drinks, and all fees go to help take care of the animals.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Geoff P.Surrey, Canada05Aug 16, 2022
Just a great experience. Took my kids, who all loved it. Compassionate cool staff. Just go there.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Lisa M.Renton, WA013583Jul 1, 2022
So fun. Kittens galore and friendly staff. Also worth hanging out with the felines. Go check it out- purchase a super soft T-sort and help the cause.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Kathy A.Bellingham, WA05628Jun 25, 2020
This place is Ahhhhh-mazing. My kiddo loves cats and had been begging to go here. Brought my mom too and it was the best $33 I've ever spent. Staff was so nice, and the kitties are so cute. Had some come up to me and just lay down in my lap! (My one cat doesn't do that unless he's hungry.... my cat is kind of a jerk)
Regarding Covid precautions: staff was masked and asked us to stay masked until we were in our own spaces. The place was very clean and everyone was respectfully our space.
We will for sure be back!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Dylan W.Issaquah, WA7015Nov 22, 2021
Had such a great experience here. Lots of cute cats, many of which loved cuddling and sitting on your lap. You could feed them treats as well. And great beverages, snacks, etc.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
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