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Single Operating Site · San Diego County, CA

The Cat Cafe

5500 Gaines St

Last inspected Aug 20, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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A Grade

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

18 inspections

Routine

Aug 20, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 95 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 6Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 37Pests

Official wording

Premises, personal / cleaning items, vermin-proofing; Garbage and refuse - properly disposed; Facilities maintained - clean surroundings

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 20, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Aug 20, 2026

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 20, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Aug 14, 2026

Closed

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

3 recorded violations

minorCode 33Facility maintenance

Official wording

Commissary / Mobile Support Unit - equipped, maintained

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

No Valid Permit

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
minorCode —Other

Official wording

Commissary/MSU Operation

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 14, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Aug 7, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 99 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 41Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Grade card, signs, last inspection report available; Written operational procedures available and followed; Restroom letter of agreement

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

No Valid Permit

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 7, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jun 24, 2026

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 24, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jun 3, 2026

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 3, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

No waste water discharge to the ground; Sewage system and components maintained

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
minorCode 30Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities - installed, maintained, used; Test strips available

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 2, 2026

Closed

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

5 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 19Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Potable hot and cold water available

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
minorCode 21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

No waste water discharge to the ground; Sewage system and components maintained

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
criticalCode 22Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds or animals

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
minorCode 30Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities - installed, maintained, used; Test strips available

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 2, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Feb 27, 2026

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Feb 27, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

May 13, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, May 13, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

May 13, 2025

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, May 13, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Dec 31, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

1b. Food Handler Training

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 19Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Potable hot and cold water available

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Dec 31, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Dec 31, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Dec 31, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

May 7, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 19Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Potable hot and cold water available

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, May 7, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

Oct 4, 2023

A Grade

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 19Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Potable hot and cold water available

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jun 15, 2023

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 15, 2023 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 15, 2023

A Grade

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 15, 2023 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 13, 2023

Closed

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

No waste water discharge to the ground; Sewage system and components maintained

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 13, 2023 · Original Source

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