What to buy for an adoption café

An adoption café needs more than refreshments and a few tables. Visitors must be able to register, find information, meet the animals safely and complete adoption paperwork without queues. Use the shopping list below for serving equipment, coffee supplies, signage, furniture and animal transport items. Plan quantities from your visitor list, then add a small buffer so cups, forms and drinks do not run out during the busiest hour.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Glassesqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Water jugsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Information boardsqty 10
Table numbersqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Handheld microphone

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 12

Animal care

Animal enclosuresqty 6
Transport boxesqty 6
Water tubsqty 8
Feed bowlsqty 8
Litter boxesqty 6
Leashesqty 4
Towelsqty 12
Barricadesqty 8
Animal brushesqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Whole milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Honey - 1 jar
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Butter - 500 grams
- Jam - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Vegetarian cheese - 500 grams
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Baby carrots - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Mini muffins - 60 pieces
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Animal feed - 4 kilos
- Animal treats - 4 bags
- Cat litter - 3 bags
- Wood pellets - 2 bags
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per visitor for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include both chilled drinks and enough coffee and tea supplies for the full opening period.
Allow one plate, cutlery set and glass per expected visitor, plus at least 10% extra. Adoption interviews often run longer than planned, so spare tableware prevents a mid-event wash-up.
Prepare one clear information point and one registration desk rather than placing forms across several tables. Keep printed adoption forms, pens and information materials together before visitors arrive.
Check power needs at least one day ahead if you are using coffee machines, kettles, a microphone or coolers. Bring extension cords and power strips, but keep cables away from visitor routes and animal enclosures.
Pack animal enclosures, transport boxes and ice packs before shopping for refreshments. Animals may need time to settle in, and last-minute handling can delay the opening or make the café noisier than planned.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for an adoption café?: For each visitor, plan two to three drinks during the first hour and one more for every later hour. Buy food for the confirmed visitor count plus 10% extra, especially if people may stay for adoption interviews.
How many cups, plates and glasses should I buy for an adoption café?: Allow one of each item per expected visitor, then add at least 10% spare. For 40 visitors, prepare at least 44 cups, plates and glasses, with extra coffee cups if interviews may extend the visit.
When should I prepare the animal enclosures and transport boxes?: Check the enclosures and transport boxes at least one day before the café. Set them up before visitors arrive, then give the adoption animals time to settle in before registration opens.
What equipment do I need for an adoption café coffee station?: Provide a coffee machine or coffee pots, kettles, cups, water jugs and thermos flasks for the planned visitor count. Test the power supply at least one day beforehand and keep a working backup kettle available if possible.

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