In fact, the Alley Cat Cafe in Lydiard Street North will give lots of people reason to paws.

The cafe at the front features a range of food and coffee, including cat-achinnos and cat-cakes.

And a separate three-bedroom residence at the back is home to a coterie of kitties, all happy to share a cuddle with cafe guests "fur" a gold coin donation.

Ms Mathews said the business - believed to be only the second cat cafe in Victoria after a popular Melbourne venture - combined her three great loves of "coffee, cakes and cats".

The 21-year-old also makes speciality cakes on-site, which are already in demand since the store opened on October 31.

Ms Mathews' mother Tania, who owns a Smythes Creek cattery, describes the cafe as purr-fect "retro, rockabilly style".

She said the cats were all "rescues" who had been desexed, vaccinated and rehabilitated before entering the cafe, where they are looked after by volunteers.

The cats, some of whom are eligible for adoption, are rotated through the residence, which includes all the comforts of a kitty home, such as climbing poles, toys and even suitcase beds.

They also perform reiki and alternative healing methods on the felines to help with health and behavioural issues.

There is even a master bedroom in which guests can stay overnight - like the cat version of a B&B.

Ms Mathews said the cafe would hopefully be popular with people who had no access to pets in Ballarat, such as university students.

"We are self-funded and not-for-profit so rely solely on donations," she said, referring to the cat residence.

The cafe is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

The Alley Cat Cafe can be found at 313 Lydiard Street North and on Facebook.