RELATED IDEA FOR SPACE: “Pet Café”
A pet café can be considered as a communal space not restricted only for humans. It can be
an intervention for both species. Idea is to create a harmony between animals and humans
and to break the physical and emotional barriers. Considering the lack of emotions towards
animals and their well-being, a pet café serves animals as their primary user as opposed to
majority architecture which is catered for human inhabitation. The need to empathize with
animals and animal lovers is stronger than ever deliberating the ever rising abuse towards
animals. A space where either being feels comfortable and content while enjoying the
atmosphere and food. The café not only offers a space for individuals to enjoy a meal with
their pet but also shelters rescued animals; ultimately providing a safe zone for these
animals and an opportunity to be adopted by possible animal lovers visiting the space. It’s a
social cause and amusement under one roof.
INTRODUCTION
History of pet cafes:
A pet café “…is a place where people can see and interact with various animals such as cats,
dogs, rabbits, goats, owls, or sheep while they enjoy the food and drinks” 1
The world’s first ever pet café surfaced in Taiwan in 1998 named ‘Cat Flower Garden’ whose
entire concept was to create a space for cats and cat lovers. Considering Taiwan’s initial step
towards a space for animals, the idea for pet café blossomed over the years in a number of
regions but most importantly in Japan. Japan and its tight population allows for the
residents to live in small apartments and condominiums restricting the residents from
keeping any pets. This served as a key for multiple pet cafes to open up and be popularized
over the years in Japan where people could come and experience companionship and
comfort. Following the first pet café in Japan Neko No Mise (Shop of cats – 2005) in the
span of 5 years up to 79 pet cafes showed up in Japan. From that animal enthusiastic all
over the world picked up on the idea of pet cafes catered to their culture and land; while
the most popular pet cafés are known to be cat cafes. The idea has spread to a number of
countries such as Thailand, Singapore, India, Austria, Germany, Russia, Canada, UK, USA,
Mexico and so on.
Site vision and analysis:
Now taking into account our country, Pakistan lacks empathy towards all sorts of animals
let it be stray dogs, cats or animals caged in the zoo in dire atmosphere with little to no care
at all. The insensitivity and lack of consideration goes to a point where hundreds of stray
dogs are being killed on a routine in Karachi. Multiple donkeys and dogs are subjected to
political activists and abused to a barbaric death for personal pleasure. The Pakistan zoo is a
completely different story with inhabitable environment to live in for all animals and no
sufficient space. The animals in the zoo are also a subject to physical abuse and there is little
to no veterinary aid available. That being said Pakistan is in terrible need for a space FOR
ANIMALS, a space where both beings feel comfortable and is safe on either part. A place for
the audience to experience pure nature and empathize with the fellow beings. The pet café
would also offer a place for the animals to feel secure, comfortable and enjoy love and
happiness. A space that comfortably brings the two together. Let’s also take into account
why protecting animals is also a necessity and rather important. In order to maintain a
healthy ecosystem, it’s vital that we keep a check on our wildlife as well. Take the common
bee as an example, if the number of bees is reducing in our ecosystem the growth of food
crops would also be stunted to great extents. Another factor is a healthy environment; the
wildlife plays a big role in maintaining a healthy atmosphere. Caring and aiding towards
animals also builds within you the sense of humanity, empathy and morality.
Design:
The café must be designed in a way that it caters different or say multiple animals. The
spaces must be according to the different behavioral patterns of animals and birds. There
should be adequate areas for animals to live according to their mood, emotions, needs and
wants. The café design must be more like an eco-friendly garden or say “a real wild life
park” and not a forced or restricted zoo. An open space for birds with trees of their
respective acoustics and fruits, that are welcoming for different bird species. Beside the
trees, for birds, there must be spaces for their leisure and comfort. for example, different
wall panels with perforations on different heights to give birds a feeling of home.
The primary user for the design must be animals and humans as secondary to give animals
more value and the importance, care and attention they deserve.
There must be certified qualified vet constantly present for service. A proper staff which
should be registered on the criteria of pet love. Cleanliness and hygiene must be the priority
of the design.
Policy:
Talking about a café or a communal space, the first thing that is an attraction for both types
of users is food and entertainment. But question is what food will be served for the staff
and users. The food must obviously be vegan and discouraging animal cruelty. There must
be everything in favor of animals.
The café must not be only for people bringing their pets but should cater animals from
everywhere, be it rescued animals, or pets or stray. The café must welcome senior citizens
and kids to interact with animals just to create a sense of friendship and love for animals
and to ensure a healthy ecosystem.
