There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a cup of tea with a cat on your lap. These days, with the advent of cat cafes, you don’t even need your own cat to experience it. While they have been around in South Korea for some time, the rest of the world is beginning to catch on, and the trend that was once the cultural domain of Japan and Korea is spreading globally.

The trend has reached new heights this year, with each week bringing news of a new cafe popping up. Just last month, the United Arab Emirates’ first cat cafe opened in Dubai. Cat cafes only recently arrived in Oceania, with the first opening in Melbourne, Australia, last year. After London’s first cat cafe opened last year, demand warranted a second, with Ginger & Tom’s set to open its doors in October.

As developed countries face increasing urbanization and housing density, owning your own cat can be difficult. In these conditions, cat cafes provide an environment where people can relax and play with a pet, without having to worry about taking care of it full time. The business model also lends itself to social responsibility, as most cat cafe owners seek rescue cats when they adopt, and those interviewed stressed high standards for feline welfare.

In case cats are not your favorite animal, Korea offers opportunities to have a coffee among dogs, sheep, rabbits or even reptiles.

bbabo.Net