Pet cafes have emerged as a booming business in China in recent times. The owner of a cafe recently dropped an advertisement– “Cat employees wanted”– on Xiaohongshu, an alternative to Instagram in the country. He was looking for “healthy, good-tempered cats” available for a part-time job. In exchange, the cafe offered “a snack per day” for the cat and a “30 per cent discount” for its owner’s friends, as reported by Money Control. The post grabbed the eyeballs of many pet owners, garnering hundreds of likes and comments.
It might sound odd to those, who have yet to learn about “Zhengmaotiaoqian” – a Chinese term which translates to “earn snack money.” Many cafe owners in the country have taken up this unique initiative to improve their business. They are hiring cats and dogs who will roam around the shop during business hours and play with the customers.
For this service, the cafes can charge an additional amount. Customers visiting such eateries in China, usually need to pay an entry fee ranging from 30-60 yuan (about Rs 350 to Rs 700) per head. There are some cafes that allow customers to play with the animals after just ordering some food, according to a report by CNN.
Pet owners have also shown a big thumbs-up to the idea. Those who need to leave their cats and dogs alone at home due to work commitments can now opt for the arrangement. Jane Xue, a 27-year-old PhD student who owns a two-year-old Samoyed named OK, has recognised pet cafes as a perfect solution.
“I feel it’s just like parents sending their kids off to school. Sending OK to the cafe is a win-win. She gets to play with other dogs and won’t feel so lonely,” Xue said. It also helped them save on the cost of air conditioning at home.
Xin Xin, a 33-year-old teacher based in Beijing, has been searching for a job opportunity for her two-year-old tuxedo cat, Zhang Bu’er (meaning “not stupid). They, however, have not yet found a vacancy in any pet cafe.
Xin identifies her pet as “clingy and good at purring’. According to her, the cat only “expects some cans of cat food or snacks as his salary”. “I thought cafe owners would reach out to me – now it looks like I need to take the initiative and send the cat’s resume out,” Xin said,
China had witnessed the establishment of more than 4,000 cat cafe-related companies by the end of 2023. The numbers have no doubt increased since the beginning of this year.
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