Helkatti Cat Cafe: Are The Happiest Cats in Finland?

Finland has ranked #1 on world happiness report in 2023, for the 6th year in a row. I wanted to find out whether the cats in the happiest country in the world were happy as well. Here’s what happened. A short version was published in Animal Wellness Magazine a few months ago but I think you’ll enjoy this expanded version.

Full disclaimer: I’m a Finnish citizen even though I grew up in Canada and I’ve never lived in Finland. My entire family on both sides are Finnish and last summer I decided it was time to reconnect with family there and see what all the happiness fuss was about. And of course check out Finnish cats at Helkatti Cat Cafe in Helsinki.

FYI: by the time you read this, I might be back in Finland until the end of August. I have no idea what or when I’ll be posting but I promise something fresh soon. The cat cafe in Tallinn, Estonia looks inviting and is a ferry ride away. Stay tuned. I can now say without reservation that Finland is my happy place.

On a hot summer day, I visited Helkatti Cat Cafe in downtown Helsinki. Finland isn’t known for heat waves but it was hot for Finland. Helsinki is easy to navigate by foot and public transport and my favorite are the trams. I noticed lots of dogs being walked but not one cat. On a tram, I did see a very chill and contented looking cat on her way to their country cottage. Just about everyone has one with a sauna which I suspect is a contributing factor.

While cats aren’t roaming the streets, cat culture is alive and well in Finland. The scaffolding for a new art museum begged for a selfie.

A pleasant tram ride brought me to the artsy downtown area north of Punavuori and my destination of Helkatti. Cat Cafe names tend to be clever and cute. Helkatti Cat Cafe or Kahvila (cafe in Finnish) is no exception. Helvetti means hell in Finnish while helkatti is a softer version fit for children. Hel is short for Helsinki and their airport code. Kissa or Katti are Finnish for cat.

There are three cat cafes in Finland. The 4th one in the arctic circle of Rovaniemi has closed. Not bad for a country with only 5.6 million and strict laws concerning animals and food prep. All three cat cafes in Tampere, Kuopio and Helsinki are owned by Tiina Altonen, a cat lover with 9 cats and no previous experience but quickly learned what works.

If you don’t speak Finnish, it’s easy to miss the cafe entrance. The sign is tiny and the sign with opening hours is in Finnish. It says: Cat cafe open Monday to Friday, 11 am- 8pm and Saturday 11 am to 6pm. Tervetuloa is welcome.

Don’t worry if you don’t speak Finnish, just about everyone speaks English especially the younger generation.

As soon as I was ushered through the double doors into the steamy cafe by the staff, I realized there was no air conditioning. Heat waves are rare in Finland and older buildings are rarely retrofitted with A/C. No one complained about the heat, least of all the motley crew of contented cats with exotic sounding names like Puu (means wood or tree), Namitassu (yummy paw) or Tyylilyyli (style guide). Yup, Finnish is a tongue-twisting language.

Removing shoes at the door is not an enforced rule but most complied. It’s more hygenic for the cats but it’s also a Finnish thing. Like the Japanese, Finns always remove their shoes at the door at home or visiting someone.

Finland has some of the best coffee, I’ve ever had anywhere and the Finns drink more coffee per capita in the world. I expected good coffee and was not disappointed.

The cattuccino was excellent but the foam like me was melting like the wicked witch of the West in the heat. The cute kitty water bottles graced every table and cat decor and cat everything quickly informed the visitor, you’re not in a regular cafe or you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Make no mistake: cats rule here. With every menu, guests are given a page of kitty rules and they’re purrfect.

 

Only the kitchen is off limits and don’t be surprised if a cat follows you into the toilet. Guests are allowed to sit wherever they want in the cozy, split level space. There is a funky Nordic meets Morocco vibe of mismatched furniture, cat art and lots of cushions. A huge aquarium adds interest in the middle of the space but the main attraction is of course the cats.

There are 9 current full time kitty residents. On occasion, one might be adopted but it’s rare.

Cat adoption in Finland differs from the U.S. If someone wants to adopt a cat from a shelter or rescue, there is a 7-day waiting period. It allows time for a potential adopter to prepare their home, gather supplies and avoid any split second decisions. It’s not cheap. The average cat adoption fee is 300 Euros.

Cat adoption is a serious responsibility in Finland and it makes me happy just how serious. This is what an adoption contract looks like from The Humane Society in Helsinki. (PDF in English). A breach results in a 500 Euro fine.

The cats at Helkatti are in plain view like they own the place (which they do) hidden under furniture and above on the kitty highway.

 

Cats rule all over the world.

Kitty camouflage anyone? This is Puu which translates to “Tree” or I think Lumipallo AKA Snowball is better.

I sat across from Nestori, the regal tabby lounging on his leather armchair and wondered what it would be like to spend the night there. They don’t promise a good night’s sleep but hey, think of the purring company. If that’s not your cup of tea, there is kitty yoga on Mondays.

Cat cafes aren’t usually known for their food but Helkatti surprises with their menu of beautifully presented sweet and savory items. They have a liquor license but they are famous for their expertly drawn kitty lattes. There are surprises of all kinds. I looked under my chair and did a double take. Yes, there are two sweet bunnies.

There are all kinds of cat art.

 

What I love about cat cafes regardless of the country is the curiosity of cats.

 

And it’s no surprise cats in Finland like boxes.

 

 

The relaxed crowd included mostly aspiring young cat ladies with their moms but also couples and a few toddlers. This little boy had his first lesson in the concept, “Cats Rule”. Cats don’t do anything they don’t want to do. The cat ignored him no matter what.

 

 

It was equal parts soaking up kitty love pets and taking photos.

 

So are the cats happier in Finland? I’d say they’re as happy as the average Finn. The self-deprecating Finns are always a little shocked when they find out about their happiest in the world status. They take it with a grain of salt and I think the cats do too. They have it good but it’s impolite to boast in Finland so let’s just say, they’re feline fine in Finland. Visit Helkatti Cafe at https://helkatti.fi/

Note: Have you seen our International Cat Cafe Directory?