👀 Dogs are doing WHAT for money?

Dogs are earning “snack wages” in cafes while their owners go to work!

Pet cafes have emerged as a booming business in China.

The owner of a cafe recently dropped an advertisement– “Cat employees wanted”– on Xiaohongshu, an alternative to Instagram in the country. He was looking for “healthy, good-tempered cats” available for a part-time job. In exchange, the cafe offered “a snack per day” for the cat and a “30 per cent discount” for its owner’s friends. The post grabbed the eyeballs of many pet owners, garnering hundreds of likes and comments.

It might sound odd to those, who have yet to learn about “Zhengmaotiaoqian” – a Chinese term which translates to “earn snack money.” Many cafe owners in the country have taken up this unique initiative to improve their business. They are hiring cats and dogs who will roam around the shop during business hours and play with the customers.

For this service, the cafes can charge an additional amount. Customers visiting such eateries in China, usually need to pay an entry fee ranging from 30-60 yuan (about Rs 350 to Rs 700) per head. There are some cafes that allow customers to play with the animals after just ordering some food.

Pet owners have also shown a big thumbs-up to the idea. Those who need to leave their cats and dogs alone at home due to work commitments can now opt for the arrangement. Jane Xue, a 27-year-old PhD student who owns a two-year-old Samoyed named OK, has recognized pet cafes as a perfect solution.

“I feel it’s just like parents sending their kids off to school. Sending OK to the cafe is a win-win. She gets to play with other dogs and won’t feel so lonely,” Xue said. It also helped them save on the cost of air conditioning at home.

Xin Xin, a 33-year-old teacher based in Beijing, has been searching for a job opportunity for her two-year-old tuxedo cat, Zhang Bu’er (meaning “not stupid”). They, however, have not yet found a vacancy in any pet cafe.

Xin identifies her pet as “clingy and good at purring’. According to her, the cat only “expects some cans of cat food or snacks as his salary”. “I thought cafe owners would reach out to me – now it looks like I need to take the initiative and send the cat’s resume out,” Xin said,

China had witnessed the establishment of more than 4,000 cat cafe-related companies by the end of 2023. The numbers have no doubt increased this year.

Chonkfest DC merchandise now on sale!

Dog appears in over 1,000 Google Maps photos!

We all know dogs are a man’s best friend, but they might also be a camera’s bestie too after Google Maps viewers spotted something adorable.

A golden retriever has been seen in over 1,000 Street Views after he followed a Google Maps photographer around an island in South Korea.

The pup can be seen guiding the visitor around Jukdo, which is next to Ulleungdo, in the Sea of Japan.

The tiny island used to be known as Boussole Rock and it’s a popular spot for tourists who want to take in its sea front sights, fields and cliffs…

…but when social media user played around on Google Maps, they kept seeing the same dog over and over again as it followed the photographer.

The golden pup, named Maru, is being identified as the island's ‘unofficial guide dog’ and had lived on the island for seven years. Sadly, Maru passed away in 2021, but her images live on!

Thanks for the tour, Maru!

“The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds

• 🥁 Winnie the golden retriever just joined the Northern Iowa marching band.

• 👧 New study proves that female dogs judge their owners more than male dogs.

• 🧑‍✈️ This pilot flew animals to safety during Hurricane Milton. Spoiler alert: he adopted one!

• 🐶 Why do dogs tilt their heads? A new study says it’s to pinpoint familiar words you use.

• 🏅 Charlie the dog just received a medal of valor after finding three missing children in Mississippi.

• 🪦 Graveyard visitors are leaving sticks at Rex’s gravesite. It’s been around for over 100 years. Here’s why.

Today’s Last Laugh:

This Halloween party can only go one of two ways…

@thegoldenbreakfastclub

Two very different versions of Halloween #fyp #foryou #catsanddogs #dogs #cats #puppy #goldenretriever #parksandrec #grumpycat