We have those preferred hangout spots, which we often frequent with our loved ones, but over time we notice that that place its not just closer to our hearts but also tiny humble strays that sit curled up outside some of their ‘favourite’ joints, more or less like their official residence and it feel like a piece missing from the puzzle when when they are not spotted on a particular day.This is what happened this week in Mumbai’s Bandra West, when a cat that lived outside a popular cafe outlet suddenly disappeared leading it to apologise to users on their social media.
Chaayos apologises after stray cat was moved from Bandra outlet
Cafe chain Chaayos issued an apology after a stray cat that regularly stayed outside its Bandra West outlet was relocated, which angered animal lovers and regular visitors. The company shared its statement on social media on Tuesday morning, admitting that a staff member had moved the cat, accepted responsibility, and said a 20-member team joined the search on Monday night. In the statement, Chaayos wrote, “This should never have happened”.
What exactly happened and where did it all begin?
It all started when Purnima Hoon Motwani, a Mumbai-based meditation coach, spoke up about the missing cat on Monday afternoon.She said the cat was healthy, sterilised and vaccinated, and had been living outside the Chaayos outlet in Bandra West.Motwani alleged that two employees of the cafe had earlier tried to take the cat away from the area. She said they were stopped and made to bring it back to where it lived. But on Sunday morning, the cat went missing.Sharing her post, she wrote, “We have documented proof of our communication with your staff on Sunday, during which Tanu and Dorgy were identified as the two individuals seen in the footage. We also have proof of communication with your Area Manager, who acknowledged that the cat had been relocated.”She also shared CCTV footage that shows two men carrying a cat along a busy road on October 28. According to her, a friend named Denzil, who owns a nearby garage, stepped in and brought the cat back outside the cafe. It stayed there for two days before vanishing on Sunday morning.She further alleged that when she asked the outlet for help, the staff and management were uncooperative. She said she warned them she would file a police complaint, since relocating an animal is a criminal offence, but was told to do whatever she wanted.
Motwani then approached some animal welfare organisations
Motwani said she approached animal welfare groups. On Tuesday morning, Humanity World Foundation announced that its team had found the cat and that Motwani and her family had decided to adopt it. The NGO’s post said the cat had “finally been FOUND by us!” and also asked Chaayos for a public apology.
Chaayos issues apology
Its statement said, “Our Chaayos cafes are part of your neighbourhoods. And over the years, neighbourhoods’ four-legged residents have become familiar faces around our cafes. And we’ve always loved having them around. Recently, a cat who had been around our cafe was relocated by an untrained member of our team. This should never have happened. We take responsibility for the actions of our team, and we’re genuinely sorry.“The company said it was relieved the cat was safe and being cared for by someone who offered it a home. Chaayos also promised to strengthen training and protocols across its cafes, so staff know how to treat community animals with care and compassion, and it thanked everyone who spoke up for the cat.
