For a Photojournalism assignment at NTU WKWSCI taught by Singaporean photographer Tay Kay Chin, I photographed Neko no Niwa, Singapore's first cat café.
I interviewed one of their founders, Ms. Tan Sue-Lynn, about the expanding cat café industry in 2014 and how Neko no Niwa was utilized as a platform to spread awareness for cats and cat welfare in Singapore.
I was one of the top three students in the class by the end of the course.
MORE AWARENESS BUT LESS BUSINESS: Originally the only cat café when it opened last Christmas, Neko no Niwa, tucked among the bars and restaurants at Boat Quay, has become one of five in Singapore. While the expansion of the cat café industry encourages awareness for cats and their welfare, business at what used to be a fully booked café has dropped. The fall in the number of walk-ins and reservations means other options such as holding yoga classes and corporate events at the café need to be explored, especially on the emptier weekdays. “It’s a slow burn,” said Ms. Tan Sue-Lynn, 37, who co-owns Neko no Niwa with her husband. “But we just have to evolve.” /// Business at cat café Neko no Niwa is slower on weekdays, but still enjoys brisk business on weekends and public holidays.
MORE THAN JUST PROFITS: Even after cat café Neko no Niwa closes for the night, work does not end there. On Tuesdays, when the café is closed, primary handlers return to feed and groom the café cats. Primary handlers are kept to a select few whom the cats are comfortable with. “We can’t keep rotating primary handlers because the cats will get stressed out,” said Ms. Tan Sue-Lynn, 37, who owns Neko no Niwa with her husband.
Even with three of her own adopted felines back at home, Ms. Tan tries her best to maintain a close bond with all 13 café cats. “This is not an easy F&B business where you just keep the cups away after hours,” she said. “It’s not a business where you can not put in 24/7 every day.” /// Despite the tiring job of running the café, Ms. Tan makes it a point to remain bonded with the café cats.
TIMELESS MESSAGES: Apart from being just a business, cat café Neko no Niwa promotes pet adoption by emulating what home life is like with cats – adopted ones, not bought pedigrees. This way, patrons experience firsthand how adopted street cats are equally as capable of providing love for their owners as pedigrees are. “Some people have no chance to have cats because of various reasons, like family members having allergies, and can’t enjoy a home setting with cats,” said Ms. Tan Sue-Lynn, 37, one-half of the husband-wife team that helms Neko no Niwa.
So for a time-based fee, patrons get to enjoy a cup of coffee or work on their laptops with one of the 13 rescued café cats by their side. This approach is one that appeals to the public’s “softer side” to encourage adoption and proper cat care. /// After her shift is over, part-time Neko no Niwa waitress and freelance graphic designer Sarah Mok, 21, works on her laptop while Luna, one of the 13 rescued café cats, keeps her company.
