Saskatoon cat cafe owner considers leaving downtown over vandalism

Merely two weeks after a window at the entrance of The Perrfect Cup Cat Cafe in Saskatoon was shattered, it was smashed again earlier this week.

Now, the owner of the cat cafe Sydney Sylvester, is considering moving to a safer location.

The Perrfect Cup Cat Cafe in Saskatoon had its window smashed twice in two weeks, once on Dec. 18, 2024 and again on Jan.6, 2025. (Sydney Sylvester/submitted)

“We don’t want to be downtown anymore, not only due to the vandalism, but the drug problems and just violence outside,” she said.

Sylvester said camera footage revealed that on Monday, a man briskly walking on Second Avenue South suddenly turned his back to the window and kicked it in, shattering the glass, and continued walking as if nothing happened.

“It’s just very disheartening and disgusting,” she said, calling for more help from the city of Saskatoon to help downtown businesses experiencing similar issues.

This first time this occurred, Sylvester said she called the police and was advised to file an online report for damage under $5000. This time she explained she didn’t bother calling and just filed the report.

Sylvester estimates that replacing both windows have set her back around $2,400 – causing financial strain on her business, especially in the slow season of winter.

“$1,200 is almost literally what we make in a weekend,” she said. “It’s profit out of our pocket that goes to paying for more toys, and food for the cats…they’re just harming the cats at this point.”

Owner of The Perrfect Cup Cat Cafe, Sydney Sylvester, explains she wants to move to a safer location for her business. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

Sylvester said it’s “only a matter of time” before the window leading to the cat room gets smashed, citing safety concerns for the cats.

“I just have nightmares about coming and just seeing all of our cats roaming the streets, or dead in the street,” she said. “I just need to get out of here.”

The Saskatoon community came together to support Sylvester with donations after the window was shattered the first time. She has now launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25, 000 to help relocate her business.

At the time of publication, the fundraiser currently sits at over $4,500.

She noted that relocating could be challenging due to the specific zoning restrictions her business requires. However, she is hopeful about securing a location on Circle Drive near the Lawson Heights Area.

For other downtown businesses who are experiencing similar challenges, she advises owners to invest in Plexiglass, or a mesh screen to protect windows.

(Sydney Sylvester/submitted)

Saskatoon Police Service to add more downtown resources

According to the Saskatoon Police Service, four to six Alternative Response Officers (ARO’s) will be hired next month. These uniformed Special Constables conduct regular foot and vehicle patrols during peak business hours to boost both visibility and engagement.

“We recognize that concerns about crime and social disorder in the downtown core have a significant impact on residents, business owners, and visitors,” Saskatoon Police Service’s Superintendent Tonya Gresty said in a statement.

“While data shows that property crime in the downtown core has been decreasing year over year, we understand that these numbers don’t always reflect the emotional and financial toll such incidents have on those affected.”

Additionally, the Bike Unit provides continuous coverage with 16 officers and 2 sergeants rotating shifts, switching to patrol vehicles in winter.

This year, a 24-hour Patrol Wagon staffed by two officers will specifically address social disorder, an issue that saw nearly 72,000 calls in 2024, including over 8,000 from downtown.

“We remain focused on both enforcement and prevention, recognizing that public safety is more than statistics—it’s about how safe people feel in their daily lives,” the statement said.

Early morning on Dec. 18, 2024, the Purrfect Cup Cafe’s front window was shattered. (The Purrfect Cup Cat Cafe/Facebook)