Cat café

Cat café

Cat café is a type of café where customers can spend time with cats while enjoying their coffee or tea. The first cat café, Cat Flower Garden, opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. The concept quickly spread to other parts of Asia, and eventually to the rest of the world.

History

The first cat café, Cat Flower Garden, was established in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. The concept was later brought to Japan by Norimasa Hanada, who opened Neko no Jikan (Cat's Time) in Osaka in 2004. The popularity of cat cafés in Japan is attributed to the country's significant population of apartment dwellers who are not allowed to keep pets.

Concept

The concept of a cat café is simple: a venue that allows people to enjoy their beverage of choice while interacting with cats. These establishments often charge an hourly fee, and some offer cat adoption services. The cats are typically allowed to roam freely in the café, and customers are encouraged to interact with them.

Benefits

Cat cafés offer several benefits. They provide a therapeutic environment for people who love cats but cannot own one due to allergies, living arrangements, or other reasons. They also help to socialize cats and increase their chances of being adopted.

Regulations

In many countries, cat cafés must adhere to strict health and safety regulations. These may include rules about the number of cats allowed, their health and welfare, and the separation of food preparation areas from areas where the cats are allowed.

See also

• Dog café
• Petting zoo
• Animal-assisted therapy

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