People can get a better understanding of how to protect stray or abandoned cats by watching YouTube, thanks to a cat cafe company. Neco Republic, based in Gifu City, runs cafes to house stray cats and has been posting videos in which viewers can watch cats relaxing for hours.
The company developed the project because of the decrease in the number of visitors to its cafes as a result of the spread of the coronavirus.
Neco Republic operates seven cat cafes, including in Tokyo and Gifu prefectures. It also holds adoption events in Nagoya, Fukuoka and other parts of the country to find homes for these cats.
Cafes were forced to close from April to May because of the pandemic but could open for business again in June if they kept shortened business hours or took reservations. However, the number of customers has decreased and sales have fallen significantly.
In an effort to raise money to maintain the cafes and feed the cats, the company has launched a YouTube channel with ads to show video feeds from inside its Tokyo-Ochanomizu branch.
The videos are available at the Remote Cats YouTube channel. Livestreams will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and July 30, and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on July 23.
Viewers will also be able to adopt a cat they see on the livestream. Once the person is approved by Neco Republic, they will be able to take their new pet home.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
