I AM a retired biologist and I’ve been a volunteer in cat rescue for over a decade. My own cat means the world to me – so I felt compelled to reply to your story ‘York’s cat café aims to get you feline better’ (The Press, November 6).

First I would ask whether this idea is being conceived in a vacuum? Has anybody read the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats? It’s a booklet of practical guidance that helps you look after your cat properly and supports the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

Section 4 makes several relevant statements, in particular:

“Do not force your cat to interact with people or animals that it does not like.”

“Never leave your cat unsupervised with another animal or person who may harm or frighten it.”

How could a café really supervise the care of cats in the hands of unknown people? Untold harm could be done. In cats, there is always the insidious issue of accidental harm we can cause, in the form of ‘stress’. Don’t ever underestimate the terms to ‘frighten’ or ‘stress’ in the context of your cat!

Some cats do love people and will relish attention but it’s dogs who live in ‘packs’, cats themselves are typically solitary; they are ‘territorial’ and it is often other cats they have a bigger problem with - and that can cause them ‘stress’.

People who genuinely care about cats, and want or need to spend time with them, can be of enormous help and value, as socialisers and carers in our animal rescue centres.

Elizabeth Pepper,

Barmby Moor, York