This weekend in Los Angeles, residents will be able to relax with cappuccino and all kinds of furry felines, thanks to Carlos Wong, a self-dubbed “catrepreneur.”
Aklthough the popup is only open for four days, it’s really more like a test-run for things to come; Wong is holding a Kickstarter in anticipation of funding his dream business; a full-fledged cat cafe that will make the city of Los Angeles happy and proud.
Wong, 31, told the Los Angeles Times that he was inspired to bring his own version Japan’s “cat culture” to fruition at home after living in Tokyo last year. Cat cafes started popping up in Japan several years ago as an antidote to stressful, long work days. They’re frequented by the hard-working masses seeking some affection and relaxation. Many working-class people in Japan live in small quarters that don’t allow for pet ownership. As a result, a new business model was born where cats live in luxury and humans pay good money to visit them (and pamper them like royalty) while downing some coffee, or, in many cases, a couple of beers.
Wong partnered with Best Friends Animal Society, a no-kill shelter, and the Chinatown Business Improvement District, among others, to bring the Catfe concept to life. He is using the event to raise awareness of adoption. His Kickstarter hopes to raise enough startup money that he can find a permanent place for his cafe to call home in Los Angeles.
“It’s not just about cats and coffee, it’s actually about a bigger message,” he told the L.A. Times. “It’s about spreading animal awareness all around.”
I’ve seen Japan’s cat cafes and become enamored of those bunny cafes — can they be far behind?
Afrter I wrote that article up, I discovered that Oakland will soon have their very own PERMANENT cat cafe…
Bunny cafes cannot be far behind.
Perhaps you & other bunny enthusiasts could draw up a business plan?
It seems all the efforts are being crowdfunded.
I don’t want to RUN the bunny cafe, I just want to PATRONIZE it… LOL
Can you picture me sipping a brevé, petting bunnies, and writing for BU? I can.
I thought you did that from home anyway 🙂
Ah, but now I don’t have to make the coffee myself, or empty the litterboxes. LOL
I’ve never heard of this concept before, but I really like the idea. It’s been known for a long time that pets reduce stress, so giving folks a place to go where they can decompress with an animal without having the responsibility of caring for it is very interesting.
I love the concept. It’s a cute idea, and I would love to visit a cafe filled with kitties. I wonder if people will be able to adopt the cats that are in the cafe. What is the contingency plan for the cats in case the cafe doesn’t work out or loses its novelty? Will the cats return to the shelter?
As long as cat isn’t on the menu.
That’s a great idea. There are so many animals in need of permanent homes, and this sounds like a great solution. I think they should do a dog cafe as well. If they opened a dog cafe, I would be there every single day.
This is a really good idea. I love the fact that it opens up animal awareness too. We need more places like this in the world since it’s a proven fact that being around cats and petting them significantly lowers a persons blood pressure. I would love to visit a place like this and hope to see one popping up in my neighborhood soon!
I want to go to one of these so badly! I absolutely love this idea. What can be better than having a cup of coffee and relaxing with one of natures most calming animals? They are definitely onto something here. I hope they open one of these near my house soon.