It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of photographing cats in the wild. By which, I mean domestic cats on the streets of big cities, in small town, at beaches, near famous monuments and anywhere else I can find them.
Despite the fact that they are a growing phenomenon — with about 60 in Tokyo alone, and many more across Asia and Europe — I haven’t yet been to a cat cafe.
I certainly like the idea of people who can’t afford, or don’t have the time for, pets to be able to visit these places and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being in close proximity to these marvellous creatures.
But, at the same time, I’m concerned about the wisdom of having a lot of cats — with their individual personalities and need to do their own thing — in a relatively small space. Obviously, hygiene standards have to be at a premium, especially when food and drink is served, for the humans, but the cats’ welfare has to be a priority.
That’s why I’m sad to read that a cat cafe in Tokyo has been closed for 30 days over claims of animal neglect. A health official said: “The property wasn’t being cleaned properly and it was beginning to smell very bad.”
Let’s hope authorities everywhere are vigilant and make sure that the cats always come first.
Related: Cats of Bangkok; Cats of the world
