![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Austria is taking a leaf out of Japan's book - or should that be a whisker from its cat basket - with the opening of Europe's first 'cat cafe' in Vienna.
Customers at Cafe Neko (which means cat in Japanese) can order a purrfect cup of tea and relax while feline residents Sonja, Thomas, Moritz, Luca and Momo settle on their laps, or pad about underneath the chairs and tables.
-- Daily Mail/LJ
Isn't that sweet? Maybe we should put our cats to work, but Coco, Ash, and Sammy would probably just sulk behind a counter. Although our cats are not feral and are certainly fine with us, they are not the most sociable cats around.
I remember a very humble, independent book store in which the owner would let her cat run about freely. I definitely thought it added to the atmosphere. Unfortunately they were not able to stay open long. Nothing to do with the cat, I don't think. Just no business. And this was before the Amazon.com days. It was just an enterprise of the heart, I think. But money cares not for dreams.
_ _ _
Takako Ishimitsu, the cafe’s 47-year-old owner, is originally from Japan where there are now around 40 such establishments in Tokyo alone since the first cat cafe opened in 1998.
Pets are often forbidden in apartments in Japan, and the cafes have proved hugely popular among stressed-out workers and families seeking animal companionship. Some even 'specialise' in particular types or breeds of cat.
Ms Ishimitsu spent three years negotiating with Vienna city officials over hygiene issues before being granted permission to open the establishment.
She explains how she launched the cafe in Europe in order to give people who couldn't have their own pets an opportunity to come into contact with cats. Each of the five animals was rescued from a local animal shelter.
In Japan, however, the authorities have thrown the cat among the pigeons with the introduction of new legislation.
The popularity of cat cafes is being threatened by a new law which prevents the public display of animals after 8pm.
The law was introduced after the Japanese environment agency received more than 155,000 complaints from the public about the treatment of animals in Tokyo's entertainment districts.
Animal welfare campaigners believe that excessive stroking from strangers is causing the animals stress.
Cat cafe managers, who often stay open late to cater for after-work trade, may have to close at their peak trade times as the law comes into force.
As yet, there is no such law enforcement in Austria, but the cafe will always uphold one particular rule.
As it clearly says on the door, there is a strict ‘no dogs’ policy.
-- Daily Mail/LJ
Customers at Cafe Neko (which means cat in Japanese) can order a purrfect cup of tea and relax while feline residents Sonja, Thomas, Moritz, Luca and Momo settle on their laps, or pad about underneath the chairs and tables.
-- Daily Mail/LJ
Isn't that sweet? Maybe we should put our cats to work, but Coco, Ash, and Sammy would probably just sulk behind a counter. Although our cats are not feral and are certainly fine with us, they are not the most sociable cats around.
I remember a very humble, independent book store in which the owner would let her cat run about freely. I definitely thought it added to the atmosphere. Unfortunately they were not able to stay open long. Nothing to do with the cat, I don't think. Just no business. And this was before the Amazon.com days. It was just an enterprise of the heart, I think. But money cares not for dreams.
_ _ _
Takako Ishimitsu, the cafe’s 47-year-old owner, is originally from Japan where there are now around 40 such establishments in Tokyo alone since the first cat cafe opened in 1998.
Pets are often forbidden in apartments in Japan, and the cafes have proved hugely popular among stressed-out workers and families seeking animal companionship. Some even 'specialise' in particular types or breeds of cat.
Ms Ishimitsu spent three years negotiating with Vienna city officials over hygiene issues before being granted permission to open the establishment.
She explains how she launched the cafe in Europe in order to give people who couldn't have their own pets an opportunity to come into contact with cats. Each of the five animals was rescued from a local animal shelter.
In Japan, however, the authorities have thrown the cat among the pigeons with the introduction of new legislation.
The popularity of cat cafes is being threatened by a new law which prevents the public display of animals after 8pm.
The law was introduced after the Japanese environment agency received more than 155,000 complaints from the public about the treatment of animals in Tokyo's entertainment districts.
Animal welfare campaigners believe that excessive stroking from strangers is causing the animals stress.
Cat cafe managers, who often stay open late to cater for after-work trade, may have to close at their peak trade times as the law comes into force.
As yet, there is no such law enforcement in Austria, but the cafe will always uphold one particular rule.
As it clearly says on the door, there is a strict ‘no dogs’ policy.
-- Daily Mail/LJ
