Dogs earn treats and tourists' hearts in Asia's pet cafes
Dog-friendly restaurants and cafes in certain tourist countries in Asia are gaining popularity. The business is thriving to such an extent that pet owners are sending their pets to these establishments, allowing them to earn treats by interacting with tourists.
12:11 PM EDT, October 21, 2024
According to CNN, cafes and restaurants featuring animals are booming businesses in China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. In addition to dogs, you can find cats, parrots, capybaras, and rabbits in these places.
An attraction for tourists
Small and cute animals enhance the experience for restaurant patrons, primarily tourists, making their visits more enjoyable. These animals roam freely around the establishments, allowing guests to interact with them. Interestingly, these places often have higher service rates than other local establishments of similar standards. Nonetheless, there is no shortage of guests eager to spend time with the animals.
As CNN reports, some Chinese and Thai restaurants even recruit and hire dogs to work. By playing with customers, the dogs—or rather their owners—receive payments in return.
Dogs work for themselves
"In my opinion, it’s like parents sending children to school or work," says a 27-year-old owner of a two-year-old Samoyed who works part-time in a dog cafe in Fuzhou, China. "Sending a dog to a cafe is beneficial for both sides. He can play with other dogs and doesn’t feel lonely. We don’t have to leave him at home, and we earn money," she admitted, as quoted by CNN.
The dog owner explains that her pet had to undergo a "dog job interview." "The cafe owner observed him for about an hour to see if he interacts well with customers and gets along with the other four dogs," she said. She added that the meeting concluded with her dog being hired at the cafe.
