Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Cat Cafes

I've never been to a cat cafe, but I've heard of them in Japan.  I like cats and have been somewhat interested in the idea. In Japan, there are about 150 cat cafes, where customers can drink coffee and eat snacks in the company of cats.  (There are also owl, rabbit, and hedgehog cafes in Japan).  

Recently the Neko no Te (Cat's Paw) Cafe in Tokyo has been in the news and not for a nice reason. Neko no Te is said to have violated regulations requiring cats to be kept in cages when not with customers.  This is alleged to have resulted in uncontrolled breeding and diseases spreading among the cats. The cafe had permission to keep 10 cats and 62 were found living in the 30 square meter cafe, with more than half of the cats showing symptoms of illness.  

The cafe has been ordered to close for 30 days.  This is the first time this has happened in Japan. I've decided I'm no longer interested in going to a cat cafe.  What do you think - would you go to a cat (or other animal) cafe?



6 comments:

Janie said...

I like cats, but I know from first hand experience that cats do carry diseases that are bad news and do infect people. So I hope that whoever is responsible gets that cafe cleaned up.

Miranda said...

I went to a dog cafe when my family was in Seoul. I totally would've done a cat cafe, but one of our member was allergic. It's a shame that cat cafe wasn't following regulations. :(

Queeniepatch said...

Well, put it this way. I wouldn't want to be a cat in a cat café! However I can see the advantage of introducing your child to a cat before actually buying a pet.
There are also so called dog cafés where your dog is welcome, can have some pet food while you enjoy your coffee.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

aaaaah, no. I don't like being around strange animals for lengths of time. Gosh, I didn't realize that until I just wrote it. Well, strange dogs maybe, but NOT at a cafe. People in the USA can have therapy dogs where ever they go and that's ok with me, but animals in cafes or LIVING in cafes, nope. And I am truly an animal lover.

Beth in IL said...

No, but I already have two cats that shed and need petted.No for me!

Murphy said...

I live in the US so I haven't thought about these cafes too much...I like the idea of people who love cats getting to spend time with cats but when it comes down to it--I'm a lover and protector of animals and feel that cats and other pets should be cherished and not used to make money. I wouldn't want my cats to be subjected to so many different people-what would happen if an abuser came in? You wouldn't know until it is too late.
In regards to the cafes that already exist, it never occurred to me that the owners wouldn't take excellent care of their cats, I guess that was pretty naïve. Standard medical care and sterilization for a healthy young cat is fairly affordable if you keep up with it--there is no excuse not to.