Jakarta Globe, Lisa Johanna Keemink, Mar 17, 2015
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| The cats are the often indifferent stars of the show that is the newly opened Cutie Cats Cafe in Kemang, South Jakarta. (JG Photos/Lisa Johanna) |
Some say
the world has gone to the dogs. Nihilism aside, judging from the rapidly
growing number of cat cafes popping up around the globe in recent years, the
world is obviously going to the cats — and Indonesia is no exception to the
overload of fluffy cuteness.
Jakarta cat
lovers, go ahead and let out that suppressed squeal of delight (you know you
want to) at the news of Cutie Cats Cafe, the first of its kind in the archipelago.
Since the late 1990s, Asia has seen a boom in this CATegory of feline-friendly
businesses, but Jakarta’s first taste of this growing trend hopes to set itself
apart in several ways.
The sheer
concept of a cafe where customers pay money to be surrounded by cats is so
bizarrely quirky that it had to have come from Japan, the land of all things
adorable — with an unconventional twist. But surprisingly enough, the world’s
very first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998.
“Japanese
tourists coming to Taiwan, they took on the idea and then the first one opened
in [the year] 2000-something in Tokyo and that’s actually the place where the
most cat cafes are at the moment,” explains Michael Kurtz, co-owner of Cutie
Cats Cafe. “There, the people have the same problems [as in Jakarta]; there,
the people live in very small places that are very cramped. [So] it’s quite
popular for people to go to cat cafes, to sit and relax, and play with the cats
of course.”
Japan now
boasts more than 150 cat cafes, according to Smithsonian magazine, while
Singapore has five. Other cities to join the fray include Bangkok, Melbourne,
Sydney, London, Vienna and Munich. Thanks to Michael and his wife Lia Kurtz,
the driving force behind their establishment, Jakarta now also has a cozy haven
for cat lovers.
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| (JG Photos/Lisa Johanna) |
Located in
Kemang, South Jakarta, the capital’s unofficial center of contemporary art,
hipster hangouts and expat housing, Cutie Cats Cafe is a purrfect fit for the
area — especially in the row of pet shops, independent boutiques and modern
furniture stores on which it’s nestled. For those craving a meal — or a pint —
after their visit, Bremer Beer Garden, Tree House and Pizza Barboni are a short
stroll away.
The cafe
isn’t the easiest to spot; situated above a boutique, the first telltale sign
of the place is a narrow glass door with a logo of a smiling yellow cat. Look
up, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot one or two of Cutie Cats’ residents
lounging against the floor-to-ceiling window of the second floor.
Once
through the doors, a hallway leads to a flight of stairs where you’re greeted
with that familiar cat smell — one all cat lovers know and love. And though the
quaint counter of Mama Cats Kitchen looks inviting with its range of cakes and
drinks, all you’ll want to do is dash over to the framed window for a look at
the furry occupants on the other side. Before entering, however, you’ll be
asked to hand over Rp 55,000 ($4.20) for your first hour of play time, exchange
your shoes for a pair of sandals, and spread a few drops of sanitizer on your
hands.
Don’t
expect a rousing welcome; cats will be cats and though they might give you an
apathetic glance, they’re more likely to lay their heads back down on a
comfortable pillow, sharpen their claws on one of the room’s many scratching
posts, or leap onto a maze of perching platforms fixed to the wall. The best
time to have the room and all 16 cats to yourself is at opening time, 10 a.m.
Business picks up an hour later, and as per the Jakarta social landscape where
nothing is done individually, customers come in hordes.
“Afternoons
are quite full, evenings are really full and weekends are packed. We take
reservations from people with prepayments,” Michael says, urging guests who
have booked their spot to arrive on time. Should the cafe reach its maximum
capacity of 20 people, including up to five children and one Cutie Cats
employee, you won’t have the option of exceeding your allotted time. The cafe
has even had to turn away visitors who show up without a reservation on a busy
day.
A month
after its launch, Michael says the response has been overwhelming, joking that
he and his wife would have created a larger space “if we had known from the
very beginning that so many people would come.”
Store
manager Lisa concedes that she and her staff were caught completely off guard
on opening day.
“It was
completely full. People were lining up,” she says. “We actually only expected
guests who were friends of [the Kurtz’s] or maybe their relatives, but we
immediately received real customers!”
Even cafe
employees are always at the ready to do their bidding, with the start of each
day dedicated to their grooming needs — a part of the job Lisa finds most
challenging.
“Sometimes
[the cats] are on the very top platforms and we have to [coax them down],” she
says. “Or they run away and we have to chase them. It can be a real struggle.”
Throughout
the day, Lisa and her staff keep a sharp eye on the cafe’s goings on, making
sure the cats are treated well and cleaning out their litter boxes as often as
needed. Hygiene is another top priority, which is why — unlike many other cat
cafes — the kitchen and cake display are kept separate from the play room, Michael
explains.
The treats
on offer at Mama Cats Kitchen are “foods that cats typically don’t like,” he
adds. “We only provide cakes and savory things” to ensure the cats don’t try to
sneak a bite.
But that
still doesn’t stop Spotty, a black-and-white Persian mix and one of the most
active of the bunch, from deftly hopping onto my table and tentatively sniffing
at my carrot cake with wide, expectant eyes. The 1-year-old is also one of the
more fearless, approaching anyone holding a cup of juice or cupcake with, well,
cat-like curiosity. Another spirited member of the family is 6-month-old Argo,
a beautiful Bengal who roams around the elevated bridges, leaping gracefully
from one platform to another like his wild cousins. Seven-year-old Candy, an
Exotic and the eldest of the group, prefers to lounge on the carpet, giving the
toys waved in front of her an indignant glance before once again closing her
eyes for a snooze. And then there’s the baby: 3-month-old Usagi (rabbit in
Japanese) is a gray-and-white Scottish fold who perhaps attracts the most
attention for being just so darned adorable.
Come to
Cutie Cats Cafe at your own peril; these furry felines will melt your heart and
leave you planning your second, and third and fourth trip for more cuteness
overload.
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Rino
Kakinuma, 7, plays with toy poodles, beagles and a golden retriever
at the Dog
Heart cafe in Tokyo, February 22, 2015 (AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)
|
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Question:
Dear Kryon: I live in Spain. I am sorry if I will ask you a question you might
have already answered, but the translations of your books are very slow and I
might not have gathered all information you have already given. I am quite
concerned about abandoned animals. It seems that many people buy animals for
their children and as soon as they grow, they set them out somewhere. Recently
I had the occasion to see a small kitten in the middle of the street. I did not
immediately react, since I could have stopped and taken it, without getting out
of the car. So, I went on and at the first occasion I could turn, I went back
to see if I could take the kitten, but it was to late, somebody had already
killed it. This happened some month ago, but I still feel very sorry for that
kitten. I just would like to know, what kind of entity are these animals and how
does this fit in our world. Are these entities which choose this kind of life,
like we do choose our kind of Human life? I see so many abandoned animals and
every time I see one, my heart aches... I would like to know more about them.
Answer:
Dear one, indeed the answer has been given, but let us give it again so you all
understand. Animals are here on earth for three (3) reasons.
(1) The
balance of biological life. . . the circle of energy that is needed for you to
exist in what you call "nature."
(2) To be
harvested. Yes, it's true. Many exist for your sustenance, and this is
appropriate. It is a harmony between Human and animal, and always has. Remember
the buffalo that willingly came into the indigenous tribes to be sacrificed
when called? These are stories that you should examine again. The
inappropriateness of today's culture is how these precious creatures are
treated. Did you know that if there was an honoring ceremony at their death,
they would nourish you better? Did you know that there is ceremony that could
benefit all of humanity in this way. Perhaps it's time you saw it.
(3) To be
loved and to love. For many cultures, animals serve as surrogate children,
loved and taken care of. It gives Humans a chance to show compassion when they
need it, and to have unconditional love when they need it. This is extremely
important to many, and provides balance and centering for many.
Do animals
know all this? At a basic level, they do. Not in the way you "know,"
but in a cellular awareness they understand that they are here in service to
planet earth. If you honor them in all three instances, then balance will be
the result. Your feelings about their treatment is important. Temper your
reactions with the spiritual logic of their appropriateness and their service
to humanity. Honor them in all three cases.
