What better way to relax from a long midterm study session than with cats at the upcoming student day at NEKO: A Cat Cafe?
Western event coordinator Lili McMurtrey planned the event, which will take place on Feb. 19.
McMurtrey works with highlighting alumni of Western, which led her to her partnership with NEKO founder and Western Alumni Caitlin Unsell.
“Students can come in for free and enjoy free swag and kitty cookies, as well as complete access to the cat room for the hour,” said McMurtrey.
The event will have two time slots on the same day, the first from 4–5 p.m. and the second from 5–6 p.m., each of which has 25 spots that students can reserve.
Only registered Western students are allowed to attend, and each student is permitted one reservation.
“We love to highlight alum-owned businesses,” McMurtrey said. “This is a great opportunity for students to get to know us a little while doing a fun activity like hanging out with cats.”
McMurtrey finds that her cats help with more than just mental well-being.
“I know my cats personally, who I have at home, lower my blood pressure,” said McMurtrey.
The claim that animals lower blood pressure and aid with mental disorders is backed by Thriveworks marriage and family therapist Mary Lou Macarius.
“Studies have shown that even petting a cat or dog can bring your blood pressure down,” Macarius said. “Opportunities with animals can do so much for our emotional well-being, especially regarding anxiety and depression.”
She said that animals can be especially beneficial to students, especially those who have recently moved away from home and may be missing pets or family.
“Students may struggle if they are away from home and have trouble connecting with new people,” Macarius said. “Not everyone can bring their animal with them to college if they have one, so places such as these cafes can offer a way to not feel so isolated.”
Macarius said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the isolation so many had suffered through had led to an increase in the need for emotional support animals or the company of animals in general.
Western student Judi Pergiel-Lopez has been the proud owner of her cat, Moko, for 11 years. For the last three years, Moko has been registered as her emotional support animal.
“When I decided to go to college, it scared me to leave her alone at home when she saw me as the closest human to her,” Pergiel-Lopez said. “She meant the world to me, so she had to come continue my journey with me by my side.”
Pergiel-Lopez finds that having a cat at her side helps her focus on schoolwork and feel relaxed while working.
“When I’m sitting in my room doing homework, she loves to always be next to me, and it helps relieve so much stress just having her warmth and purrs while watching me do things or sleeping,” said Pergiel-Lopez.
NEKO offers multiple reservation types, one of which includes a “Work/Study/Purr Visit,” which allows individuals to occupy the room for 2 hours and 45 minutes at $35 per person.
This allows students to relax with the cats and enjoy NEKO’s menu, consisting of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks and treats, while they study or do homework.
Western’s Night at NEKO offers an introduction to the cat room at no cost.
“Our run of this event last year sold out super quick, and we've already had a few slots be reserved,” McMurtrey said. “Make sure to reserve your slot quickly, and enjoy an awesome night of free fun with the cats!”
Natalie Brown (she/her) is a campus life reporter for The Front. She is a Public Relations Journalism major in her second year at Western and loves to spend her time playing video games and spending time with her cats and friends. You can reach her at Brownn46.TheFront@Gmail.com.
