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Cuddly cats ease Tokyo's workday pressures
It's been quite the week for animal stories on Gadling. I posted about Japan's pet rental agencies and the opportunity to adopt a Tasmanian Devil, and Iva joined in with her story on adopting animals through the World Wildlife Fund.
Here's the latest (and hopefully the last I hear some of you sigh...) cutesy animal story - for this week at least.
In Japan, (of course...), Tokyo's Cafe Cat Calico has a whole team of friendly moggies in residence just waiting to be petted and cuddled by worn out workers on their way home. For 800 yen (around $7) an hour, customers can spend quality time with their favourite feline. Weekends are busiet with up to 150 pet-friendly punters streaming in per day to have a cuddle with a cat.
After that many strangers wandering through, I reckon more than a few of the cats must look forward to closing time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jamie Dec 5th 2007 5:03PM
How do they get the cats to cuddle the strangers? I can see someone paying to spend their time looking at a cat under a sofa, or having their feet attacked.
Lizzychan5 Dec 6th 2007 9:51AM
these cats must be super friendly to complete strangers, I'd hope they train the cats thoroughly before they throw them into a big mix of people. Most cats I know need days just to warm up to their new owners before they get friendly.
I don't think this is a good idea for the cats. With all these strangers petting the cat you don't know where some people have been. One stranger could easily pass on germs or diseases to the cats.
hahaha Dec 6th 2007 10:10AM
This is like a cat brothel. You pay to see your favorite feline and she's busy being affectionate with 3 other people. Whore cats. :)
gabrielle Dec 6th 2007 10:21AM
I agree! It IS like a brothel. This seems charming, but has a seedy underbelly!
cj Dec 6th 2007 10:27AM
word realtime. all i can think of when i read this is how they treat animals in those countries..
Doctor Bob Dec 6th 2007 10:37AM
Realtime, they don't eat cats in Japan. You're thinking about Vietnam and maybe China. Cats get royal treatment in Japan, and have the run of the place. There are actually shrines devoted to cats. There are FAR worse things than being a cat in Japan.
Rebecca Dec 6th 2007 11:56AM
Why don't they have their own cats?It's still a nice story.
mslinky Dec 6th 2007 3:48PM
my cat would tear up a stranger!
patricia Dec 6th 2007 11:17AM
WOW,THIS IS VERY SICK. LAST WEEK SOME WEIRD MAN MARRIED A DOG.THAT GOD I'M A AMERICAN!to be this is all abuse.we know the love to eat pets.and now their are men married cats.what's to become of this world, with all these sick people doing this kind of stuff.go buy a cat ,so you can go to your own home a pet your cat. sick folks.may the lord have mercy on these folks.
manpie2000 Dec 6th 2007 11:22AM
This gives "Love Cats" a whole new meaning.
hunt Dec 6th 2007 12:19PM
what about the dolphans & whales? how could they not help those poor creatures from being slaughtered? put your money there help those beautiful & loving creatures this is the twentyfirst century.
mslinky Dec 6th 2007 11:23AM
My cat would tear up a stranger.
JDinLA Dec 8th 2007 1:45AM
I have a cute but lazy cat who spends all day sleeping. She needs a job - where can I sign her up?
Fran Dec 6th 2007 12:26PM
I love cats!
They taste great!
Fran Dec 6th 2007 12:27PM
I love cats!.....
They taste great!
hunt Dec 6th 2007 12:32PM
what about the dolphans & whales? how could they not help those poor creatures from being slaughtered? put your money there help those beautiful & loving creatures this is the twentyfirst century.
Mare Dec 6th 2007 12:54PM
Let me start off by saying that Japan do not eat cats .There are 3 other Asian country that do . check into your facts before you post them. As for passing along deseases yes you can. like feline leukemia a slow and painful death for the cat .you or someone you know has a sick cat and you was petting it and didn't wash your hand .Then you went to this cat house you can pass it along to the other cats .I would think that this place would make you wash your hands in a disinfected soap before and after touching the cats.
Lyndsey Dec 6th 2007 12:59PM
It's actually not a bad idea if supervised properly. There is a cat rescue group in Amsterdam that has a boat in one of the canals & it is filled with adoptable felines. For a donation, everyone is welcome on the boat & can feed & play with the cats for as long as they want. It serves two purposes...the homeless cats get love & attention, & animal lovers can get their "pet fix", especially tourists that are missing their fur family back home.
bonnie M Dec 6th 2007 1:11PM
Must be a lot of hair floating around and in the food. Glad they don't eat them anyway.
Ann Dec 6th 2007 1:16PM
We have a cat and she is member of our family, but if we have visitors then she hides until they leave; she does not like starngers or even close family that comes over regulary.. So; I don't see how they train these cats to be so friendly and not all cats are the cuddly lap cats. Our cat loves to play, be petted and brushed, but a cuddly lap cat is only if she is in the mood for that.