Toe Beans Cat Cafe — Restaurant in Port Hope

Update in response. Four extremely healthy cats, in a very clean home with two owners who have never once in their lives come into contact with ringworm can not have given it to him. I left my review as someone negatively affected by the cafe's and the rescue's negligence. I also said nothing harsh about the owner nor the staff. Nor about the purpose of the business. It's hardly petty when both the cafe and the rescue are attempting to blame us for Mousse's affliction. After spending over $1600 because of his TWO PARASITES, AND RINGWORM. I think we're more than entitled to being upset.

They work with a rescue called "I am Loved". You cannot find any information for this rescue anywhere online, they have no website, the only contact information you can get is on their adoption forms. This rescue will not take any responsibility, will claim that their cats are up-to-date on vaccines, and will not properly check their cats for symptoms. If they did then they would provide veterinary information as proof of their testing. They will try to blame you for everything and "offer assistance or a refund" but actually just give you the runaround. I have adopted from them twice and my roommate once. My first adopted cat Tina showed no signs of illness until the day before she died very suddenly. My vet told me it was likely an undiagnosed respiratory disease. My next two kittens whom I love very much, had upper respiratory tract infections, and then repeated eye infections. Kiwi also was determined to have had Giardia likely for quite some time. I didn't bother informing toe beans because i was far too busy battling the vet bills and caring for my kittens. My vet told me personally that the most recent adoption, Mousse, would have to have had his ringworm days before we brought him home based on how quickly it appeared on his head. I am Loved does not properly vet their cats. It's a shame, because the idea of a place like this is a good one. I love my cats very much, but I am very disappointed to see responses like the ones i have from toe beans ownership. My advice to this cafe would be to stop fighting back, have all of the cats fully examined, and cut ties with i am loved. There are many great rescues to work with. I would love for this place to be what it has the potential to be. I have no harsh words for the staff, nor for the very good goal behind the foster. I only offer criticism for the way that that this has been handled, and for the response to distress from adopters. Please, put the cats first. No other rescue would even dream of letting a cat be adopted without a complete veterinary examination or up to date vaccinations. I do not believe that the owner means to cause harm. However, at this point if you do not have every single cat tested at the cafe for ringworm and parasites, then you are going to cause harm. Please do the right thing. Stop fighting people for being upset with the vet bill shock and the reality that they now have to tackle in some cases many illnesses. No one is trying to scam you. We just want measures taken to ensure that this does not haopen to...

POTENTIAL ADOPTERS BEWARE!! I recently adopted my cat, Orion (formally Pirate at the Cafe), from Toe Beans on May 25th, by the 27th he was hospitalized for diarrhea and vomiting. While there the vets found he had gastroenteritis, an ear infection and significant weight loss. Unnoticed by me at his adoption, he was improperly vaccinated and was not protected by the mandatory vaccinations all cats should have.

After informing them of Orion's hospital stay and what happened, Toe Beans made the choice to tell me that the tests/diagnostics the vet did were unnecessary and that I should've just called them if I was having concerns about Orion's health. They are NOT a veterinary clinic. They also made the choice to assume the vets were incorrect about the improper vaccinations and tried to frame that as the vets trying to get more money out of me, I confirmed with 2 different vets that Orion was incorrectly vaccinated according to the records I received at his adoption and that he would need to be restarted on the vaccination schedule.

Toe Beans attempted to gaslight me about what I was told at Orion's adoption, I was told he was quarantined for "mild sneezing" but was assured it would "pass in a few day" and that it was nothing to worry about by the employee assisting in his adoption. There was no mention of a suspected illness/infection or mentions of him having diarrhea at the adoption. There was no mention of any current ongoing medical treatment at his adoption, and I was not sent home with any type of medication for him. All I received was his ppaer work, a bag of dry food, a can of wet food, a blanket for his carrier, and assorted treats and toys.

As evidenced by previous reviews ear infections are commonly missed at this facility and based on my experience they do not review medical records thoroughly enough before placing cats in a group environment. It has also come to my attention that upon receiving their cats they do not take them for any type of vet assessments as the only medical records I received were from when he was still in the Cayman Islands. They only take the cats to the vet when something is noticeably different, a risk when you don't know a cats personality as you don't know what changes to look for.

Go with a reputable rescue or shelter that does regular vet visits when they receive their cats and are able to properly monitor their health.

Toe Beans would rather pin all the blame on the new owner and the vets who worked to ensure the health and comfort of the cat than take accountability for their mistakes and actions.

I was told on June 2nd that the rescue I adopted Orion through would reach out to me about my concerns regarding his hospitalization and the lack of care he received at Toe Beans, I have yet to be contacted by them.

TLDR; Don't adopt from this cafe, they do not take care of their cats and will become extremely defensive and argumentative when...

I’d been wanting to visit this place for quite some time, but I don’t live nearby. The two times I went to the Chinese restaurant next door, they were also closed (which was understandable). I just looked at and said hi to the cats in the window.

I also wanted to volunteer, but it’s too far of a drive.

Anyways, I made good on this goal today. I had lots of time and decided to go in. Bought a hot chocolate and got half off admission. It cost me a bit more overall, but I don’t mind supporting such a business (and cats!)

I was honestly surprised by the rules, including having to wash your hands and take your shoes off, but I respect that. I’m obsessive compulsive and tried to follow them to the letter. I even washed my hands after going into the room with the timid cats, so I wouldn’t carry their scents out, as asked.

The people who worked there today were very nice. They try to enforce the rules, but are also kind. I just admittedly didn’t feel as relaxed as normal because of all of the rules, and worrying that I’d accidentally break one. It created anxiety. That said, I understand them and respect the thought behind everything.

The hot chocolate was great. The cats were beautiful. Some were very friendly, and some were a bit curmudgeonly, but they’re rescues and I understand. I have a cat and several strays myself, one of which was feral. She scratched me a lot, but finally lets me pet her after 12 years.

I feel bad, because I tried to prevent the kittens from getting out, but one was too fast and they did get out. I know you’re not supposed to pick them up, but I did quickly to get them back in the cage. I apologize. There was a lady there who talked to me, and I thought she worked there, so I asked her if I could and got info from her previously.

I would like to visit again if they’ll have me, but do wish there was a way that the rules could exist without creating a bit of anxiety. I hope that...