KUALA LUMPUR – A Japanese pet store/cat cafe that came under fire from netizens for supposedly ill-treating its cats, says it has been cleared by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), who paid a visit to check its operations yesterday morning.
Coo&Riku’s manager Anna Nagano told Scoop that DVS officers came to the shop in LaLaport in Bukit Bintang without notice and did a thorough inspection.
The visit followed complaints on X by an animal welfare group which had also tagged DVS.
“DVS came without notice for inspection and they have confirmed our cats are healthy. They checked everywhere in the shop, the kennel area, cat cafe and the staff room where the sick cats are kept, too,” Nagano said.
She said Coo&RIku would improve its service and ensure the hygiene and health of both their cats and customers.
On Monday, animal welfare group Stray Free Foundation had posted about allegedly sick cats at the store being kept in cramped spaces together, with one suffering diarrhoea and others with teary eyes. It urged its followers to report the outlet to the DVS.
The post, which had photos of supposedly ill cats, received 1.4 million views and was retweeted 4.2 million times. It drew angry comments from other X users, who said it was unethical to breed and sell pets in such conditions.
X users accused the store of poor conditions, including a bad smell, to which Nagano admitted that improving the premises’ ventilation was one of the urgent matters it was addressing.
Coo&Riku, in an Instagram post, subsequently denied the Stray Free Foundation’s claims that the cats were sick, explaining that one cat breed – the Russian Flat Face – naturally tears easily and also needed regular tear drops, while the one with diarrhoea was adjusting to a new environment.
Nagano added that the store had yet to receive its operating licence, and is waiting for DVS’ approval.
DVS, in a statement to Scoop, said it reminded pet cafe operators to comply with the law on running such a business.
“Hygiene management should be prioritised, including the cat environment and food sales area,” the department said. – November 15, 2023