Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Hong Kong ‘rabbit cafe’ hops onto high street

HONG KONG — The newest addition to Hong Kong’s cafe scene is taking a soft approach to business — with 12 resident rabbits for customers to pet.

In this picture taken on August 16, 2016, a customer (C) strokes a rabbit at the "Rabbitland" cafe in the district of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

In this picture taken on August 16, 2016, a customer (C) strokes a rabbit at the "Rabbitland" cafe in the district of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

HONG KONG — The newest addition to Hong Kong’s cafe scene is taking a soft approach to business — with 12 resident rabbits for customers to pet.

The “Rabbitland” bunnies munch on grass while visitors coo over them between sips of tea and bites of toasted sandwich.

Tucked away on the third floor of a high-rise in the busy commercial district of Causeway Bay, the cafe says it gives people who have no room to keep a pet in space-starved Hong Kong the chance to bond with the fluffy animals.

Most of the rabbits have been abandoned by previous owners.

Hong Kong already has a number of “cat cafes”, but this is the first one for rabbits, inspired by a similar shop in Japan.

“I like how soft they are and like their fur and how gentle they are when you feed them,” said Natalie Chan, 11, whose mother had brought her to find out more about keeping rabbits as she wants one as a pet.

There are a list of rules about how to behave around the animals, including not picking them up or pulling their ears.

Co-founder Teddy Chui, 29, said anyone who does not obey the rules is asked to leave.

The “Rabbitland” bunnies are not for sale, but Mr Chui says a visit helps children understand what looking after one would involve.

“A lot of parents bring their kids here if they want to buy a rabbit, so they know it’s not all about playing with them — it’s a lot of work and responsibility,” says Chui.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.