Yuki Arai is on an objective to save abandoned cats. So far, the 34-year-old has actually invested $50,000 of her cost savings to establish a rescue cat coffee shop, linking undesirable family pets with brand-new owners.
“There are so many stray cats on the streets,” Arai says at her little coffee shop in Sydney’s north.
“We have about eight to 10 cats at the moment, and they are brought in by rescuers. They were originally found on the streets or abandoned. Many were starving or in very bad condition.”
As a kid maturing in Japan, Arai desired end up being a veterinary nurse. She decided to open the cat coffee shop after relocating to Australia and losing her sis to cervical cancer.
“It made me realise that life is not long enough, and that became my turning point and I chose to follow my passion,” she says.
Jiji Rescue Cat Cafe opened 6 months earlier in Sydney’s Middle Cove, influenced by comparable businesses in Arai’s home city of Tokyo.
“People in Japan love cats, and also there are so many stray cats in Japan, even more than in Sydney probably.
“However, Japan also has many rescue cafes where cats are re-homed, and that inspired me to open this business.”
‘I’ve had individuals weeping as they hand me their cat’
Volunteer and independent rescuer Mags Hamilton says the variety of cats being abandoned is increasing and is partially to blame.
“People’s rent keeps going up, and many families have to move,” she says.
“I’ve had people crying as they hand me their cat because they cannot take it with them.”
Volunteer and independent rescuer Mags Hamilton. Source: SBS News / Sandra Fulloon
By law in all states other than Queensland and Victoria, and with the exception of support animals, pet ownership for tenants depends on a property manager’s discretion.
Tragically, Hamilton says not all undesirable cats make it to a shelter or rescue group. Some owners turn to discarding undesirable family pets in shopping center parking lot, or in bushland, incorrectly thinking the animals will make it through.
“People think they’re doing the right thing. But dumping a pet is so cruel,” she says.
“These animals cannot fend for themselves. Yes, they can eat cockroaches and mice, but eventually they either get run over or slowly starve.
“When we find them they are covered in fleas, ticks and lice, and they have worms from eating lizards.”
Female rescue cat Cotton was embraced today by the Reilly family. Source: Supplied / Jiji Rescue Cat Cafe
It’s an issue shared by the animal well-being group Save a Pet Foundation.
“A cat dumped in the bush will be lucky to survive six to eight months in the wild. And it is a terrible death. It is a shocking death,” director Bernard Bradshaw says.
“We work to try and stop people abandoning and dumping cats that people cannot afford to feed any more, or because they cannot afford the vet bills.”
Pet ownership a ‘long-lasting dedication’
Australia has among the greatest rates of pet ownership worldwide, according to the RSPCA.
Nearly 30 percent of Australia’s 9.2 million families have a cat. That corresponds to more than 5.3 million animal cats across the country.
The RSPCA euthanised around 6,500 cats in 2022, so re-homing undesirable family pets is a good service, according to RSPCA NSW’s Kieran Watson.
“If you adopt an animal, it’s really beautiful because you are giving it a second chance,” says Watson.
“However, pets can live for 10 or even 20 years. So, when we adopt an animal out, we always ensure that people understand it is not just for right now. It is a really long-term commitment.”
The effect of feral cats on native wildlife
Cats were very first presented to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and their tradition is an aching point for conservationists.
According to Sarah Legge, biodiversity councillor and teacher of wildlife preservation at Charles Darwin University, have actually been the main perpetrator in the termination of over 20 types of native mammals, and cats are still triggering population decreases today.
“We will see more extinctions of Australian native species in the coming years and decades if we don’t get on top of cat management.”
Legge says the very best method to decrease the effect on wildlife is to practice accountable cat ownership.
“We strongly recommend keeping cats indoors, to protect native wildlife and also to remove the cats from other dangers like cars and viruses,” she says.
“Sadly most of the cats we rescue are not desexed, vaccinated or microchipped. So that is the first thing we do.”
Love of animals and hospitality shows a purr-fect mix
Arai opened Jiji Rescue Cat Cafe in February this year. Behind a town shopfront, clients can have fun with rescue cats in devoted playrooms for a little charge. In the 6 months considering that the coffee shop opened, Arai has actually developed a devoted following.
“Most of our customers are families, parents with children who have no experience with cats,” she says.
“So far we have found new homes for 33 rescue cats and two more are in a ‘trial phase’.”
Growing up in Tokyo, Arai at first wished to be a veterinary nurse dealing with animals. However, while at university aged 17, she started operating at an Italian restaurant, which caused a profession in hospitality.
Yuki Arai at her cat coffee shop in Sydney. Source: SBS News / Sandra Fulloon
The Jiji Rescue Cat Cafe combines Arai’s 2 enthusiasms – cats and hospitality – although she says looking after strays isn’t inexpensive.
“Rent is the first thing. It costs $3,500 every month, and then there are ongoing expenses for cat food, vet bills and all the electricity.
“I am not from a wealthy family, so I pay for everything myself.”
Donations and the assistance of regional volunteers keep the business going, however Arai says more help is required.
“We can always use more volunteers, and that would suit someone who is studying to become a vet or a vet nurse and needs work experience.”
Mary Parsch and her child, Pia. Source: SBS News / Sandra Fulloon
All ages are welcome at Jiji however kids under 12 need to be monitored. Arai says that enables households with children to be familiar with a rescue cat prior to they adopt.
“We love to come here once a week for coffee and to play with the cats,” says Mary Parsch, as her three-year-old child Pia gladly snuggles a kitten.
“It’s a great way for children to learn to be gentle with animals.”
“Finding a brand-new home for a cat is the happiest thing for me to see,” Arai says.
“My way of life is complete with this coffee shop today, and it is 7 days a week.
“I’m constantly here spending time with the cats, however that is what I anticipated and I like it.”
This story was produced in partnership with SBS News in Mandarin and , a portal offering vital info to migrants.
