About Kumiko
A place of refuge — for cats and for people.
Hi, I’m Karen
I’m the founder of Kumiko Cat Lounge.
I grew up in East Belfast as the daughter of a veterinary surgeon, surrounded by animals and learning early on how deeply animal welfare matters.
Animals were always part of everyday life and watching my father’s dedication to animal welfare had a lasting impact on me. He later became President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and was awarded an OBE for his services to the profession, and his work continues to inspire my own approach to care and responsibility toward animals.
Alongside this lifelong connection to animals, my professional career has focused on mental wellbeing. I hold a PhD in Public Health from Queen’s University Belfast and have spent more than twenty years working on major mental health and suicide prevention projects with partners across academia, charities, and healthcare. Much of my work has explored how environments, relationships, and small moments of calm can improve people’s wellbeing.
Over time I realised that two things I care deeply about — animal welfare and human wellbeing — could come together in a meaningful way. Kumiko grew from that idea: a space where rescued cats can settle safely while they prepare for their forever homes, and where people can experience the quiet, restorative benefits of spending time in their presence.
My hope is that Kumiko becomes a place where people can slow down, reconnect, and discover how much calm a room full of cats can bring.
— Karen
The Kumiko Ethos
Kumiko is designed as a place of refuge — for cats and for people. A space where rescued cats can settle safely while waiting for their forever homes, and where visitors can step away from the pressures of everyday life to spend time in their gentle company.
“Kumiko envisions a kinder world, where moments of calm create lasting change — improving emotional wellbeing, advancing animal welfare, and nurturing empathy for all living beings.”
Built on care, comfort and connection
Kumiko is built around three simple principles:
Care
for the wellbeing of every cat in our space
Comfort
for visitors looking for a calm place to slow down
Connection
between people, animals, and the wider community
Working in partnership with Belfast Kitten Rescue, every cat you meet at Kumiko will be a rescue cat preparing for adoption.