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In China, a fun new trend is making waves—pets like dogs and cats are "working" part-time in cafes, earning snacks for their efforts. This trend, known as "Zhengmaotiaoqian" or "earning snack money," is getting popular with both pet owners and cafe visitors.
Take the example of 27-year-old Jane Xue, a PhD student, who sends her two-year-old Samoyed, OK, to a dog cafe in Fuzhou. Xue thinks it’s a great idea, saying, "It’s like sending a child to school. OK gets to play with other dogs and not feel lonely, and we save money on air conditioning." Xue and her partner are often away on weekends, so this cafe job gives OK a chance to socialize while they’re out.
Pet cafes have become a booming business in China. These cafes charge visitors an entrance fee—usually around Rs 350 to Rs 700—or sometimes a meal price, to play with the pets. It's a business that benefits both cafe owners and pet owners. By 2023, there were more than 4,000 pet cafes across China, showing how popular they’ve become.
For pet owners like Xue, these cafe jobs are a fun way for their pets to make new friends. Xue proudly shared that OK is now the "star" of the cafe after passing a trial to see how well she gets along with other dogs and customers. This trend is helping busy owners give their pets some company while adding a lighthearted vibe to the cafe scene. With China's first cat cafe opening in 2011, the industry has grown by 200 percent per year, according to CBNData.
But will this trend work for India? Arjun Ankathil, an IT employee isn’t too thrilled about the idea. He is a pet parent to a White Himalayan Persian cat and a boisterous Golden Retriever dog. “While I see how this might become a popular setup in India as work from office becomes mandatory, I personally wouldn't send my pets to an open cafe where strangers won’t care about their rest or personal space. Even extremely friendly dogs get grumpy if they are really tired. However, it sounds like a great concept for a cat.”
Another pet parent and a cafe connoisseur who has a full-time WFO gig isn't comfortable with strangers interacting with his pet. He also isn't too keen on paying more on food and service just because a cafe had dogs. “I absolutely love dogs so I might go once or twice but that’s it,” Said Varun Sudhakar, a designer based out of Bangalore. “I rather pay for day boarding where I know my dog will be taken care of.”
In China, While the owners of the pets reportedly don’t have to pay anything, the cafes have a hiked entry charge or a higher meal price. Saakshi Dixit, a college student, wasn't thrilled by this. “I'm not allowed to keep pets at home and I love animals so I would love to meet them and hang out with them. But, the increased charges for entry or food isn't going to cut it for me. I'll go maybe once to check it out.”
In conclusion, while the trend of pets working part-time in cafes is gaining popularity in China, its reception in India remains mixed. Although the concept offers a fun way for pets to socialize and for customers to interact with animals, some Indian pet owners are hesitant about sending their pets to such cafes due to concerns about their well-being and comfort. Others feel the added costs might limit their interest. While the idea might appeal to animal lovers who can't have pets at home, it's clear that pet cafes in India would need to address these concerns to truly catch on.
ALSO READ | China’s Pet Population Set to Explode—Fur Babies to Outnumber Kids by 2030
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