What Tourists Should Know About Animal Cafes with Sooz Shanker

<p>In this interview, <strong>Susanna “Sooz” Shanker</strong>, founder of Curiosity Saves Travel, shares disturbing findings about exotic animal cafés in Japan and their wider impact on wildlife.</p><p><br></p><p>Recent studies show that <strong>around 60% of the animals found in Japanese animal cafés belong to species listed on conservation concern registers</strong>, with <strong>50% classified as threatened with extinction</strong> by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.</p><p><br></p><p>While many of these animals are bred in captivity through wildlife breeding schemes, <strong>14% were found to be wild-caught</strong>, meaning they were taken directly from their natural habitats and placed into café environments. Even more concerning, these cafés have been linked to an <strong>increase in wildlife trafficking</strong> and a growing demand for exotic pets, both in Japan and internationally.</p><p>Sooz explains how seemingly harmless animal attractions can fuel a much larger system of exploitation and why travellers need to look beyond the surface when choosing ethical wildlife experiences.</p><p><br></p><p>Petition people can sign: <a href="https://www.change.org/p/end-the-support-for-wildlife-cafes-in-japan-that-cause-animal-harm">https://www.change.org/p/end-the-support-for-wildlife-cafes-in-japan-that-cause-animal-harm</a></p><p>Video of the animal market - warning it is upsetting: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDrrINjN3Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDrrINjN3Y</a></p><p>Ethical cat cafés in Tokyo: <a href="https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/ethical-cat-cafes-tokyo/">https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/ethical-cat-cafes-tokyo/</a></p><p>Curated and vetted animal cafe experiences: <a href="https://giveback.guide/search/?q=animal+sanctuaries">https://giveback.guide/search/?q=animal+sanctuaries</a></p><p>Animal Cafe Guide: <a href="https://curiositysavestravel.com/are-animal-cafes-in-japan-and-asia-ethical">https://curiositysavestravel.com/are-animal-cafes-in-japan-and-asia-ethical</a></p><p><br></p><p>Learn more about Sooz: <a href="https://curiositysavestravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Curiosity Saves Travel⁠</a></p><p>Join a Veggies Abroad Tour: <a href="https://veggiesabroad.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠veggiesabroad.com⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ </p><p>Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https:/