03:42Home to over 80 chinchillas and spread over three floors, the UUchinchilla Cafe in Taipei's Nangang district has become a trendy spot for animal lovers to grab a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Footage shows customers watching the furry creatures as they nibble on hay pellets and enjoy a run on an exercise wheel, all while grabbing a bite at the Totoro-themed cafe.
"When I found out that this species existed from a cartoon, I wanted to keep them. I ended up raising a lot of them, about 60 or so. Then I thought it would be great to open a café just for them, and at the same time, it would give my friends a place to come, have tea, and chat,” said Baby Shuai, owner of the UUchinchilla Cafe.
Chinchillas are considered low-maintenance pets and can live for up to 20 years on a basic diet in cool temperatures.
"Compared to cats and dogs, they're much easier to care for. They eat simple food, they don't smell much, and as long as there's air conditioning, they can live happily. Their monthly food cost is only a few hundred NTD, maybe 200 or 300, and you don't need to groom them or take them out for walks. For modern people, I think they're quite easy to keep," she explained.
With their thick fur coats, chinchillas are sensitive to high temperatures and humidity and should be kept in dry and cool environments.
"I would say they’re even cuter than I imagined. We have a Bichon Frise at home, and I think the chinchillas are like the Bichon — both are fluffy and look like candyfloss. I really love them, but they're too expensive for us, so we just come here to play with them and pet them,” said one customer.
Unlike traditional dog or cat cafes where customers can pet the animals as they please, Shuai’s cafe allows limited time for petting so the chinchillas can adjust to the new scents of their interlopers.
"I hope to create an environment where both the customers and the animals feel comfortable interacting… These animals are a bit shy, so we plan the interactions based on what's suitable for them,” Shuai noted.
Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. A species of rodent, they are easily recognisable by their rabbit-like ears, long tails, and incredibly soft coats, which are even finer than mink pelts.
Chin-chillin' in the cafe! Dining with dozens of adorable rodents in Taiwan eatery
Home to over 80 chinchillas and spread over three floors, the UUchinchilla Cafe in Taipei's Nangang district has become a trendy spot for animal lovers to grab a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Footage shows customers watching the furry creatures as they nibble on hay pellets and enjoy a run on an exercise wheel, all while grabbing a bite at the Totoro-themed cafe.
"When I found out that this species existed from a cartoon, I wanted to keep them. I ended up raising a lot of them, about 60 or so. Then I thought it would be great to open a café just for them, and at the same time, it would give my friends a place to come, have tea, and chat,” said Baby Shuai, owner of the UUchinchilla Cafe.
Chinchillas are considered low-maintenance pets and can live for up to 20 years on a basic diet in cool temperatures.
"Compared to cats and dogs, they're much easier to care for. They eat simple food, they don't smell much, and as long as there's air conditioning, they can live happily. Their monthly food cost is only a few hundred NTD, maybe 200 or 300, and you don't need to groom them or take them out for walks. For modern people, I think they're quite easy to keep," she explained.
With their thick fur coats, chinchillas are sensitive to high temperatures and humidity and should be kept in dry and cool environments.
"I would say they’re even cuter than I imagined. We have a Bichon Frise at home, and I think the chinchillas are like the Bichon — both are fluffy and look like candyfloss. I really love them, but they're too expensive for us, so we just come here to play with them and pet them,” said one customer.
Unlike traditional dog or cat cafes where customers can pet the animals as they please, Shuai’s cafe allows limited time for petting so the chinchillas can adjust to the new scents of their interlopers.
"I hope to create an environment where both the customers and the animals feel comfortable interacting… These animals are a bit shy, so we plan the interactions based on what's suitable for them,” Shuai noted.
Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. A species of rodent, they are easily recognisable by their rabbit-like ears, long tails, and incredibly soft coats, which are even finer than mink pelts.
Home to over 80 chinchillas and spread over three floors, the UUchinchilla Cafe in Taipei's Nangang district has become a trendy spot for animal lovers to grab a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Footage shows customers watching the furry creatures as they nibble on hay pellets and enjoy a run on an exercise wheel, all while grabbing a bite at the Totoro-themed cafe.
"When I found out that this species existed from a cartoon, I wanted to keep them. I ended up raising a lot of them, about 60 or so. Then I thought it would be great to open a café just for them, and at the same time, it would give my friends a place to come, have tea, and chat,” said Baby Shuai, owner of the UUchinchilla Cafe.
Chinchillas are considered low-maintenance pets and can live for up to 20 years on a basic diet in cool temperatures.
"Compared to cats and dogs, they're much easier to care for. They eat simple food, they don't smell much, and as long as there's air conditioning, they can live happily. Their monthly food cost is only a few hundred NTD, maybe 200 or 300, and you don't need to groom them or take them out for walks. For modern people, I think they're quite easy to keep," she explained.
With their thick fur coats, chinchillas are sensitive to high temperatures and humidity and should be kept in dry and cool environments.
"I would say they’re even cuter than I imagined. We have a Bichon Frise at home, and I think the chinchillas are like the Bichon — both are fluffy and look like candyfloss. I really love them, but they're too expensive for us, so we just come here to play with them and pet them,” said one customer.
Unlike traditional dog or cat cafes where customers can pet the animals as they please, Shuai’s cafe allows limited time for petting so the chinchillas can adjust to the new scents of their interlopers.
"I hope to create an environment where both the customers and the animals feel comfortable interacting… These animals are a bit shy, so we plan the interactions based on what's suitable for them,” Shuai noted.
Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. A species of rodent, they are easily recognisable by their rabbit-like ears, long tails, and incredibly soft coats, which are even finer than mink pelts.