Some 60% of animal cafes in Japan contain exotic species restricted by international trade laws. There were 137 such cafes as of 2019. This raises fears that their popularity may threaten conservation and heighten animal-borne disease risk.
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Budget Range
- You should budget 1,000-2,000 yen per hour at an animal cafe for drinks and petting.
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Types of Animal Cafes
- There are many types of animal cafes in Japan: cat, dog, bunny, reptile and more.
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Concerns
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An exhaustive survey published this year found 3,793 animals from 419 species. 52 are threatened; 9 are banned from trade, including endangered slow lorises.
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Exotic Species
- Around 60% of cafes have exotic, banned species. Their popularity could trigger overhunting.
What is the controversy with animal cafes?
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Ethical Considerations
- Whether an animal cafe is ethical or not comes down to a multitude of factors.
- It is not suitable to use cats as showpieces in cafes.
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Pet Welfare Concerns
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Secondly, because animal cafes are usually cramped places so that customers can interact closely with animals, the environment can be stressful, especially for animals who are not used to humans.
Are otter cafes safe?
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Illegal Trafficking
- Otters at cafes are often illegally trafficked from the wild.
- Their popularity fuels demand, threatening wild otter extinction.
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Petitions
- Sign petitions urging Japan to ban wild animal cafes.
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Instagram Influence
- In Japan, Instagram fame drives otter cafes.
- Takechiyo the pet otter rests between performances.
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Animal Welfare
- Pet trade displaces wild spaces.
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Conservation
- As Asia’s appetite for cute otters grows, persistence protects them.
- We must value animal freedom over selfish gain.