Though owl cafe practices vary in Japan, with only some allowing petting, animal rights groups believe many of them violate legal welfare requirements by restraining owls with ropes and disrupting natural sleep cycles by keeping them awake during the day.
However, animal cafes as a concept isn't either good or bad. Whether an individual animal cafe is ethical or not depends on a multitude of factors. The clearest factor in determining whether a cafe is ethical or not is to see what animals are being featured. Two owls tethered to a bar at an owl cafe in Ikebukuro.
"Cat cafes are not a suitable environment for cats because they are in a confined space with a revolving population of people," says Nicky Trevorrow, behaviour manager at Cats Protection. The RSPCA doesn't recommend keeping large numbers of cats together in one place.
Owl cafés are a relatively new phenomenon in Tokyo, but, what exactly are they? Simply, they are somewhere you can stand or sit with owls (and numerous other animals), within a café environment, pet them, hold them and feed them.
Tokyo's top animal cafés
- Capyneko Cafe. Restaurants Cafés Kichijoji.
- Photo: mipig.cafe. Mipig Café
- Harajuku Mame-Shiba Café Restaurants Cafés Harajuku.
- ChikuChiku Cafe. Things to do Shibuya.
- Temari no Oshiro Cat Café Restaurants Kichijoji.
- Ikefukurou Café Things to do Ikebukuro.
- Hutch Asakusa.
- Photo by Annemarie Luck.
When I started planning my trip to Japan many people asked if I would be visiting the various animal cafes in Tokyo, well the short answer is No. Whether an animal cafe is ethical or not comes down to a multitude of factors, one of the first factors which should be looked at is the species of animal being featured.
How much profit can a cat cafe make? When located in a popular area, a cat cafe business can bring in a significant revenue. Even at $7 per person, just 10 visitors can generate $70 in an hour. At $20 per hour, the revenue increases to $200 per hour with 10 visitors.
Where to see them: Tanuki live all over Japan, sometimes even in urban areas. There are even rare white Tanuki in Miyajima which you may see scuttling around. If you don't spot a real tanuki, you will most certainly notice their statues everywhere you go in Japan!
Animal cafes generally follow one of two pricing systems: 1) a typical coffee shop style where you pay for individual drinks and food from a menu, plus an additional cover charge, or 2) a one-fee-covers-all style, where you pay a certain amount for a fixed time period and drinks are free.
Here are six tips on how to introduce your dog to a potential canine friend.
- Start in a Calm, Neutral Environment.
- Use a Familiar, Well-behaved Dog.
- Go Slowly at First.
- Use Plenty of Positive Reinforcement.
- Never Use Tight Leashes or Pull the Dogs Apart.
- Repeat the Process As Many Times As Necessary.
Starting a Pet Shop Business
- Register your business with all the proper government agencies.
- Know the laws that govern the sourcing, handling and selling of animals.
- Choose a location where there are other pet shops or a mall.
- Invest in good displays.
- Source from reputable dealers.
- Know what animals can be kept together.
Tips on How to Start a Cat Cafe
- Choose a Name for Your Cat Cafe.
- Create a Business Plan.
- Research Local Regulations and Restrictions.
- Determine Your Model of Operation.
- Secure a Location.
- Partner With Local Cat Rescue Organizations.
- Determine Menu and Pricing.
- Create a Website.
Dogs in pubs, restaurants and cafesThere is no law or any health and safety regulations that ban dogs from being in premises where food and drink is served or sold; however they must not enter areas where food is prepared, handled or stored, for example the kitchen.
While the charity says hedgehogs are not suitable pets, it advises would-be owners to research the animal's needs - and only consider keeping one if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for them.
As pets, hedgehogs should mainly be fed high quality hedgehog food. Small amounts of gut loaded insects (i.e. insects fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard), such as worms and crickets and a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits can also be offered.
Foxes and badgers are known to eat hedgehogs, with dietary analysis suggesting foxes consume fewer than badgers.
How to Keep a Hedgehog Happy
- Exercise. Make sure Hedgie gets time out of his cage regularly.
- Hidey-Hole. Smaller animals always need at least one good hidey-hole.
- Treats. Most pets love treats, and Hedgie is no exception.
- Tunnels. Like many pocket pets, hedgehogs love to explore mazes and tunnels.
- Toys.
- Sleeping Bags.
- Cuddles.
Hedgehogs can be handled (they are not too prickly), although some patience is required to make sure your hedgehog is both safe and comfortable in your hands.
Hedgehogs are not native to Japan but have long been sold in the island nation, where less than 20 per cent of households are estimated to have a pet. "All of these hedgehogs are friendly even though some of them might spike you," said Anna Cheung, 11, a visitor from Britain.
Bring the hedgehog indoors, place it on a towel-wrapped hot water bottle in a cardboard box. When it is brighter, offer some dog food and water. If the hedgehog does not respond, then take it to your local wildlife rescue centre. Please note: hedgehogs DO NOT hibernate in the open.
Keeping Hedgehogs as PetsA soft bedding such as a recycled paper material or towels that are changed out regularly are best for the sensitive feet of a hedgehog. A large enclosed running wheel should be kept in the cage for your hedgie to exercise in along with a hide box, food bowl, and water bottle.
The regulations cover mammals and birds, and notes “live rodents, rabbits and other land mammals.” This means that the formerly unrestricted rodents such as Hamsters, Squirrels and Chinchilla, and Ferrets are now subject to regulation. Bringing these animals from abroad as pets is now prohibited.
