In recent years, a quirky trend has emerged where Chinese pets are getting “jobs” in cafes, earning their snacks while charming visitors. This amusing concept, dubbed “Zhengmaotiaoqian” or “earning snack money,” has gained immense popularity, drawing attention from both pet owners and customers.
With over 4,000 pet cafes established across the country, this trend is not just about fun but also reflects the growing bond between humans and their furry companions.
These cafes allow visitors to enjoy the company of playful pets while sipping coffee, making it a win-win situation for both animals and their owners.
Pets, mostly cats and dogs, roam around interacting with customers, and in return, they receive snacks as their salary. Café owners have cleverly used this approach to attract more customers, boosting their business while giving pets a chance to socialize.
Pets Earning Snack Money
The idea of pets working for snacks may sound bizarre, but it’s becoming a reality in China. Café owners post humorous job openings on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, inviting pet owners to send their healthy, good-tempered pets for part-time or full-time work. One café owner’s post garnered over 100 likes and 600 comments, showing widespread interest in the concept.
PhD student Jane Xue, for instance, sent her Samoyed, OK, to work at a dog cafe in Fuzhou. “It’s just like sending a child to school,” Xue said.
This pet employment trend has created a social space where animals get to interact with others, keeping them busy while their owners are away. OK’s café job not only keeps her entertained but also saves Xue money on air conditioning at home during the hot summers.
Business And Pet Companionship
Pet cafes in China operate on a simple business model—customers pay an entrance fee ranging from 30 to 60 yuan. The costs come to around Rs 350 to Rs 700. Either they order food or enjoy the company of these “pet employees.”
Café owners benefit by offering an interactive experience, while pet owners find this a perfect solution to keep their pets engaged. Xue, for example, saves on cooling costs and ensures her dog is never lonely.
This trend has exploded in popularity, with pet owners happily sending their pets to work, like Xin Xin, a teacher from Beijing, who is trying to get her tuxedo cat, Zhang Bu’er, hired. “He is clingy and good at purring,” Xin noted on his resume. Despite Zhang’s skills, he has yet to land a job, but the growing demand for pet employees suggests he might get lucky soon.
The Growing Pet Culture In China
China’s booming pet culture is at the heart of this unique phenomenon. With predictions suggesting that pets will outnumber toddlers by the end of this year, many people are choosing pets over children. The rise of pet cafes reflects this shift, offering a space for pets to socialize while providing much-needed companionship for their owners.
For café owners, the concept of pet employees adds a lighthearted twist to their business. In one case, a café owner humorously shared that a cat named Datou received five cans of cat food “after taxes” for his work. These posts showcase how deeply ingrained pets have become in the daily lives of Chinese families.
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Pet Culture In India
In India, while the idea of pets “working” in cafés like in China isn’t as formalized, pet-friendly and pet-themed cafés have started gaining popularity in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. These cafés cater to animal lovers, allowing them to spend time with pets, either their own or those provided by the café while enjoying a meal or coffee.
For instance, Cat Café Studio in Mumbai allows visitors to interact with rescued cats in a cosy environment, blending a café experience with the joy of petting cats. Similarly, TherPup – A Dog Café in Bengaluru offers an inviting space where customers can play with in-house dogs, creating a similar vibe to the “pets at work” trend.
Although Indian pet cafés haven’t formalized the concept of pets “earning” snacks or treats by interacting with visitors, the idea of pets as companions in such settings is growing.
These cafés provide a unique space for people to bond with animals, enhancing the café experience, while allowing pet owners to bring their pets along too. As pet ownership continues to rise in India, this trend could expand, making pet cafés more popular in urban areas.
China’s pet café trend might seem unusual, but it has captured the hearts of pet owners and customers alike. With pets like OK thriving in their part-time roles and hopeful candidates like Zhang Bu’er waiting for their chance, this trend offers a delightful combination of companionship and business innovation.
As more people embrace pet ownership, it’s clear that these “pet employees” will continue to be a star attraction in China’s café scene. Whether for snacks or socialising, these furry workers are here to stay.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, Economic Times, CNN
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: Pet Cafes, India, pet friendly, Animal Lovers, Cat Cafe, Dog Cafe, Furry Friends, Pets Of Instagram, Pet Adoption, Coffee And Cats, Dog Lovers, Cat Lovers, Pet Culture, Pet Life, Zhengmaotiaoqian, Pet Trends, China, Pet Friendly Cafes, Animal Interaction, Pet Jobs, snacks, part time jobs
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