A couple of years ago I wrote a feature for Viewpoint magazine about pet trends. Treating pets as humans was something reserved for the Japanese and US markets and we Brits were still happy to treat our pets strictly as animals, not members of the family, complete with accessories, human grade food and specialist hotels, spas and delis.
Over the last couple of years things have been slowly changing, as up market pet shops, boarding kennels and websites dedicated to our pets every need have sprung up all over the UK
I’m not sure we’re quite ready for a dogs members only Club, like the dogs of NYC, who have their very own, night club, Hotel, spa, fitness centre and boutique at the Fetch Club in lower Manhattan. The ultimate destination for everything canine The Fetch Club sounds hideous to me and the sort of place I would positively avoid as a day care option for my dog. I think dogs should be outside, chasing balls and rolling in mud, but I don’t live in Manhattan where dogs are really only allowed off the lead in dog runs.
Cats however are a whole different animal (literally) and are happy to lol around indoors all day and are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs.
In Japan there are over 100 cat cafes popular with cat lovers who have limited space or time and parents who want to introduce their children to cats without the responsibility of owning one. Visitors are encouraged to to drink coffee and spend time with the resident cats.
Now, it seems cat cafes are coming to the UK, in particular East London (obvs), where if an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign is successful, cat lover Lauren Pears, will open Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, which will allow customers to enjoy drinks and snacks while watching and playing with the resident cats.
Pears says “Cat welfare is really important to us. In particular, we want to make sure we can house cats who don’t have a home to go to. We’re also working with the Mayhew Animal Home to choose cats that will be happy in the environment that has lots of people in it, and we’re working with them to define a really solid care plan to make sure they’re cared for.”
The campaign has 44 days left to raise a total of £108,000 ($175,855). Pears is offering a number of incentives for contributions including high tea, free trial-run parties, VIP membership and venue hire.
Cat party anyone?
