Something to think about – cat cafes

The news: https://news.sky.com/story/cat-cafes-should-be-phased-out-rspca-warns-13331963

Pertinent points from the article:

The charities say that the cafe environment makes it “almost impossible” to meet the welfare needs of the cats, as they may be stressed by forced proximity to other animals and strangers.

“We don’t believe these environments can consistently provide cats with a good quality of life and are hugely concerned that many cats will be unhappy as a result.”

Ms Potter added: “Generally cats are not sociable, and many felines often prefer to live without other cats, or prefer to form social groups with their relations.”

Ms Potter said: “Cats in cat cafes are essentially being used for entertainment – and are often licensed as such – so we are concerned that they are paying the price for this by having a poor quality of life.”

“Some cats adopt a strategy of feigning sleep when they are stressed, leading consumers to mistakenly assume they are simply resting.”

I remember many years ago, someone (barely an acquaintance) wrote to me saying he wanted to bring his children to visit our cats and give a donation to AnimalCare. Clearly, he did not understand that not all cats welcome socialisation, especially visits from total strangers. So I explained to him that most of our cats aren’t sociable and it would be stressful for them to have visitors. I guess he took it the wrong way and did not respond after that. Of course, there was no donation to AnimalCare either!

That’s the danger of anthropomorphism – thinking that animals think the way we do. But for that matter, not all humans are sociable either. Some are just introverted and would not welcome any form of socialisation. They are happier living on their own. It’s not a case of one size fits all.

The most annoying insistence of some humans is this: “You MUST travel” – I absolutely abhor this “advice”. Have you ever heard me saying, “You MUST adopt a street cat”? Do I shove my interests down your throat? Sorry I digress.

Juno: If I like you, I will entertain you when you come to my house. But if I don’t like you, I will hide upstairs so please don’t try to look for me. I hide because I don’t trust you. Get it? 

Tabs also takes to certain people instantly, rubbing her head on them, but she hides upstairs when some other people come. It’s her choice.

Never force a cat to do what you want. That’s not fair to the cat.