Cats in the Café

– About Our Cats –

All our cats are available for adoption. Some of them stay longer than others to teach newbies how to behave around humans and other cats. We call them ’Worker Cats.’ We call all other cats ‘Available Cats.’

When cats/kittens arrive at the cafe, they need to stay for a month. We study their personality during this period and people can submit the pre-adoption forms. After a month or so, we will look for the best match for that cat/kitten. We also sometime cannot release cats if the cafe has less than 10 cats in the café.

We work with some cat rescue organisations in the Wellington region like Feral Nation and Rachel’s KittyCat Rescue NZ. We do some rescue activities by ourselves and accept surrendered cats with careful screening.

Gracie

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Grey/White
DOB: 2023
Gender: Female
Personality: Timid but playful
Size: 4 kg

Status: Waiting for trial!

My Story:

I was rescued with my kittens, mother and brother from the backyard of home in Kelson where I was born. I was just starting to trust the fosters when I came here to Neko Ngeru. I am not always hiding under the couch anymore but am not ready for anyone to touch me yet. Give me time. I can be playful and sweet once I get to trust you. My human is preparing a home for me. She decided to move when her landlord said she couldn’t have me. I really like her! She comes to play with me whenever she can.

Things I like:

Hiding in a safe place, food, play and petting (once I trust you)

Maxi

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Black
DOB: 19/12/2023
Gender: Male
Personality: clever, loving
Size:  4.2 kg

Status: Taking applications

My Story:

I’m Maxi from Poneke Ngeru. I was supposed to come to the café months ago, but I had to wait until I could have an important surgery. (It’s okay, the troublesome things were found and removed.) You may notice my tail is different. I heard lots of cats have a bobtail like mine in Japan, so I don’t mind.  As far as I know, I was born that way. I am strong enough with other cats, so they’d better not try to steal my food! I love playing with humans and petting is great. I learned the wheel and am getting used to the harness.

Things I like:

Playing with all the toys, petting (even my belly is okay but be gentle) taking some ‘me time’ in a low, safe place, and escaping!

Mochi

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Black
DOB: Feb 2024
Gender: Male
Personality: bold and loving​
Size:  3.8kg

Status: Trying new home!

My Story:

Hi! I’m Mochi from Poneke Ngeru. I came with Maxi and thought I was destined to keep him company. Now there are so many other cats to get to know. This seems an interesting place. I could get really comfortable here. People are fun to play with. I sometimes like to get up to a high box where I feel safe. I am Pippin’s food friend. Licking his face is an important job. I wonder if he likes me? They say I’m too brave for my own good so I should stay indoors unless I’m on a harness. I am comfortable in one as long as I get my treats in compensation.

Things I like:

Pippin’s food, resting on a bed or bean bag, playing with string or feathers, getting petted

Motley

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Black & White
DOB: 08/02/2024
Gender: Male
Personality: shy then loving
Size:  3.7 kg

Status: Taking applications

My Story:

​Hey there! I’m Motley, though some at Rachel’s Rescues called me Chappy, I don’t know why. Some say I’m not so bright, but I love to be loved.  Maybe I seem shy at first, but once I feel secure, I will shower you with smooches and playful nibbles. I also dribble when I am happy. I like to be with other cats and Floyd is my good friend. Maybe we can stay together? My striking white ears will require sunscreen, and I prefer adults over children. I don’t know any dogs yet. Will you let me bring laughter and love into your home?

Things I like:

hiding under the couch, petting and FOOD! Play with feathers, string or the RED DOT

Floyd

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Ginger
DOB: 10/11/2023
Gender: Male
Personality: Timid & then Playful
Size:  4.7 kg

Status: Taking applications

My Story:

Heya, I’m Floyd, a quirky and kooky fella! Wild born in Masterton, I was rescued by Rachels Rescues at two months old. Once I was around other friendly cats, I began to shine and show my true self. Motley is my buddy, and I help give him confidence. At Neko Ngeru, we have been getting braver and playing with each other, other cats and humans. I love cat towers, and their cozy dark hidey holes are my favourite place so you can look for me there. I can be a bit of a day dreamer but love human affection – almost too much so that I pull your hand back (politely but with claws out) when I want more.  I love all treats.  I can be great with other cats but I’m unsure of dogs. Children age 11 + are okay. Hope to stay with Motley.

Things I like: 

playing, jumping, wrestling and feeling safe

Pansy

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Black
DOB: 20/12/2023
Gender: Female
Personality: friendly & playful
Size:  4.6 kg

Status: Trying new home!

My Story:

Hi, I’m Pansy. Nice to meet you. I was rescued by Feral Nation when I was just five weeks old, all alone in a Porirua backyard. I have been a support kitten, comforting a grieving rescuer and a designated companion for some cats that needed help socialising. Each of my rolls has been quite fulfilling, but nothing has been quite the right fit. I like people, especially cuddling and playing. Other cats are okay. I have had gum infection treatment and should eat dental biscuits to keep my teeth healthy. Some mean people say I can afford to lose some weight. Will you be the one I can give all my love to?

Things I like:

playing and petting

Missy

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Torbie
DOB: Nov. 2016
Gender: Female
Personality: spicy & chatty
Size:  7 kg

Status: Applications on hold (new cat)

My Story:

That’s right. I’m Missy. I guess I’m lucky to be alive. When my person went into care, the family didn’t want me anymore, so they took me to a vet. But the vet refused to kill me and got permission to find a new home for me. That’s how I came to Neko Ngeru. I still like people. Other cats, I can do without. They make me grumpy. So, I don’t really show my best side here. On my own, I’m chatty and affectionate, with a bit of attitude of course! I’m hoping that someone will give me a chance and get me out of here so I can enjoy life again.

Things I like: 

long conversations, some play, a comfortable place to sit, brushing

Akemi

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Calico
DOB: ???
Gender: Female
Personality: timid & then cuddly
Size:  3.7 kg

Status: Applications on hold (new cat)

My Story:

Did you call me Akemi? Yes. That was my name. I don’t remember much of my history. Or I don’t want to remember. I was befriended by a nice cat when I was lost and alone and her people got me some help at Feral Nation. Grooming helps me feel safer but I really overdid it and so I didn’t have much hair left on my back and belly. It’s almost grown back completely but I can sometimes still seem a little stunned. Here at Neko Ngeru, I tried to make friends with Missy, but she hit me, so I hid under the couch. I don’t know if I will try again soon or not. I LOVE to sit on human laps, so I guess I will come out when I am ready since there seem to be lots of good laps here.

Things I like: 

snugging in a human lap

Tinsel

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Calico
DOB: July 2024
Gender: Female
Personality: timid & then Playful
Size:  3.5 kg

Status: Applications on hold (new cat)

My Story:

I’m called Tinsel. I grew up with lots of other cats and not much human attention. I was glad to go with Feral Nation since it meant I could get away from my creepy uncles. Once I feel safe, I like to play all the time. An occasional snuggle and fuss from a human is all right but play is what it’s all about. I hope that the café will be a good place for me to learn more about being around humans.

Things I like: 

playing with the fur puffball and feeling safe

Roy

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Sliver Tabby
DOB: 
Gender: Male
Personality: 
Size:  4.3 kg

Status: Applications on hold (new cat)

My Story:

Things I like: 

The cats below are worker cats. They will stay in the longer to teach newbies how to behave in the café.

Pippin – Worker Cat

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Black & White
DOB: February 2021
Gender: Male
Personality: Wise and weary
Size: 2.3 kg
Entered: 20/04/2021

My Story:

I’m Pippin because I will always be small. I have congenital Myasthenia, so I seem tired all the time and I can’t do all the things other cats do. I get special care, so I am doing all right. I can eat my food from a spoon and walk a little way, but I need to rest a lot. The other cats think I am a little gross because I drool on myself. That’s why I also need humans to give me a bath and my paws and belly are stained brown. I come to the café by day and go home with the Okada’s at night.

Things I like:

Beanbag beds, brushing, getting fed and trying to lick myself.

Rumer – Worker Cat

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Tabby
DOB: 25/10/2023
Gender: Female
Personality: playful, cuddly
Size: 3.1kg
Entered: 26/05/2024

My Story:

I was rescued with my sister and brother, Bambi and Kohl, by Rachel’s KittyCat Rescue around Masterton when we were very small. I was lucky to get rescued by such good people so young because I can trust humans. I also like playing with other cats. I am cautious and clever, but I am playful and curious too. I sometimes play rough and have a bad habit of biting. People in the café help me overcome this by stopping play if I do it. I have been working on my skills on the wheel, as a parkour master, human biscuit maker, and my meercat impression.

Things I like:

Play and petting, climbing on everything and everyone. Chasing a toy across the high places.

Wiley – Worker Cat

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Colour: Tabby/White
DOB: Feb. 2024
Gender: Male
Personality: cuddly
Size: 4.3 kg
Entered: 04/06/2024

My Story:

Hi, I’m Wiley. I was rescued by a nice lady on a lifestyle block in Pauatahanui. I was hiding under an upside-down bathtub. I probably wasn’t born wild, just got dumped by irresponsible people. I still like and trust humans though I can be cautious at first. It doesn’t take me long before I’m bouncy and playful, landing in your lap to knead it into a more comfortable shape or climbing on your shoulder for a ride.  I have a funny meow that’s very creaky. I like playing with other cats, but I also like to have time on my own. I want to grow big and strong!

Things I like:

plush bed, human laps and shoulders (when I want) string toys and wrestling with Maeve or anyone else who is fun.

Maeve – Worker Cat

Breed: Domestic Medium Hair
Colour: Grey Calico
DOB: 01/03/2023
Gender: Female
Personality: bold, playful, attention seeker
Size:  3.3 kg
Entered: 06/11/2024

My Story:

Hi! I’m Maeve. Nice to meet you! I was born to a semi-feral mum in a glass house in early March. Rescued by Feral Nation at eight weeks old, I was held back from adoption because I wasn’t growing. I’ve had all the blood tests come back negative so maybe I’m just meant to be small. I was going to be a headquarters cat. But the queen there didn’t like my eagerness, so I tried Neko Ngeru and it suits me! I’ve been fine around dogs and kids. I can watch out for myself around other cats. I can probably handle anything. Human laps are great places to sit, and I love to play.

Things I like:

being queen, playing, sitting on laps and wrestling with Wiley