10 places that love cats
Cats are very capricious animals, but despite this, these cute fluffies are invariably loved all over the world. Sometimes human love for these creatures is very reminiscent of obsession ...
We present to your attention ten unusual places that were born thanks to the incredible love for cats.
(Total 9 photos)
1An Island Where Cats Matter More Than People: Tashiro, Japan
On the Japanese island of Tashiro, cats are treated better than humans. And this is not an exaggeration. Cats here calmly roam anywhere and multiply uncontrollably. And the locals, whose number is much smaller than the number of their furry neighbors, take care of the island's feline population in every possible way, feed the cats and regularly conduct veterinary examinations.
In order not to cause the slightest discomfort to cats, it was forbidden to import dogs to the island. Tourists are expected here by cozy lodges in the form of cat baskets and houses, as well as numerous temples and shrines erected in honor of the cat, the main island deity, which, according to local beliefs, brings good luck. Whether purrs somehow have a beneficial effect on the fate of the islanders is not exactly known, but local devotion to cats has been attracting tourists from all over the world for several years.
2. Acrobatic cats perform in the cat theater: Moscow
Four-legged artists balance on mirror balls, walk on a thin tightrope, ride horses and even ride around the circus arena on skateboards - all this can be seen at the Kuklachev Moscow Cat Theater.
The theater, which since 1990 has been called "Cat's House", was created by Yuri Kuklachev, a clowning artist and a talented animal trainer. Today it is the only cat theater in the world. About 120 furry performers live here, although each performance usually employs no more than 20. Over the years of the theater's existence, more than 10 performances have been created here. The colorful show does not leave anyone indifferent, even the most avid dog lovers.
3. Ceramic cat collection with over 2,200 figurines: Birmingham, England
Love for cats can be expressed in many ways. So 60-year-old Englishwoman Pamela Cole collects ceramic figurines in the form of her favorite animals. There are almost 2,200 figurines in her collection, and every year the number of exhibits only increases. To store her extensive collection, the woman specially allocated several rooms in her house.
A simple hobby eventually turned for Pamela into the meaning of life and a kind of work. The Englishwoman spends all her free time looking for new figurines all over the world. Most often, Ms. Cole finds new “pets” in online stores and antique shops. In addition, she created a worldwide network for people who are fascinated and attracted by cat memorabilia.
4. Musical group of cats touring the USA: Chicago, Illinois
Many musicians can envy the success of the cat band. Four-legged artists from Chicago successfully tour all over America and invariably break a flurry of applause.
During their fantastic live concerts, the cats themselves beat the drums and even dance to the beat. In addition to drums, fluffy artists play guitars, bells and ring chimes. The style in which the musicians play is difficult to determine. It is closest to atonal experimental jazz.
5. For a small fee, you can relax in a cafe filled with cats: Tokyo, Japan
In recent years, cat cafes have become increasingly popular in Japan. For a modest fee, you can dine in a room filled with live cats. Most often, residents of Japanese megacities, who are deprived of contact with animals, resort to such a service, since it is forbidden to keep pets in many apartment buildings.
In such establishments, cats completely “rule the ball”. It is they who choose to whom to get on their knees or whose legs to rub against, it is not customary to force them to do anything in a cafe.
6. Cat history and kitty kitsch coexist in a strange museum: Kuching, Malaysia
The people of Malaysia believe that cats bring good luck. If this is true, then the museum in the Malaysian city of Kuching is simply overwhelmed with luck. An unusual exposition, opened in 1993, is dedicated to these wayward, but so cute animals. The museum seems to be doing its best to keep the contents of the city true to its name: "Kuching" translates from the local language as "cat city".
In total, the museum has about 2000 exhibits. Here you can learn everything about the history of the cat family, get acquainted with the beliefs associated with cats and see the numerous stuffed animals of these animals. The most valuable exhibit of the museum is considered to be a real Egyptian mummy of a cat, which was made around 3500 BC.
7 Cat Street Festival: Ypres, Belgium
The Kattenstot Festival in Belgium has a strange and somewhat creepy history. It originated in the Middle Ages, when every year the city jester threw live cats from the highest tower of the city. How this tradition originated is not known for certain. This may have been due to the belief that cats are associated with witchcraft.
In 1817, the barbaric practice was put to an end, and since that time the townspeople have been trying to atone for their guilt before the representatives of the cats. Every year the city hosts a colorful festival dedicated to cats. On this day, hundreds of children dress up as cats, huge carnival platforms are built, and solemn processions are held. The holiday ends almost the old fashioned way: a man dressed as a jester, to the screams and applause of the crowd, throws toy kittens off the town hall.
8. A couple furnishes their home so that the cats in it are as comfortable as possible: San Diego, California
There is a married couple in San Diego who loves cats to the point of madness. After the number of their pets exceeded a dozen, the couple realized that they needed to reconstruct the house. Neon-lit ladders were built along the walls and ceiling, floor-to-ceiling scratching posts were added, and tunnels were laid between the walls.
The home of dedicated San Diego cat lovers has not only become an ideal place for cats. Decorated with figurines and paintings of cats, painted in bright colors and covered with leopard-colored carpets, the house has become a real tourist attraction. On one of the open days, about 900 tourists visited the amazing house in just 4 hours.
9. International Cat Show: USA
Cat Fancier is one of the most prestigious cat show associations in America. At such events, cats of all kinds compete for the title of "The Most Beautiful Cat".
The atmosphere at such exhibitions is always festive: animals sit decorously in boxes or on the hands of their owners and allow themselves to be admired. Sometimes, however, it is very difficult to determine who, in fact, is the owner here - a person or an animal.
Source 10Fine Art Gallery Entirely Dedicated to Cats: Amsterdam, Holland
Fine Art Gallery in Holland is another themed place. Numerous works of art are exhibited here - paintings, sculptures, engravings, photographs. At the same time, the entire exposition is completely devoted to cats. So one rich Dutchman decided to honor the memory of his dead cat.