7 ways to support “cat inns” that go beyond just staying overnight

Staying to meet the resident cat will not only help you pay for the accommodation, but will also help increase the number of people who learn about the inn and want to visit again. On the other hand, if there is a strong expectation that the cat must be let out, it may impair the cat’s rest and the host’s judgment.

Rather than receiving maximum customer service from cats, we support inns where cats are treated as if they were residents. Here are seven things travelers can do to achieve this.

The foundation of this way of thinking is summarized on the fixed page What Neko Yado Research values.

1. Read the official information before booking

Check the inn’s official website and official SNS to verify the resident cat’s current status, where they can be found, whether photos are allowed, if snacks are provided, and closed days, etc. Do not request a response based only on old reviews, such as “I used to come to your room” or “I was able to hold you.”

There is no problem in asking about the cat’s current status and range of interactions, but we do not ask for guarantees that “we will definitely meet” or “he will definitely come to the room,” and we accept the possibility that we will not be able to meet due to the cat’s physical condition or will.

2. Compare the conditions and choose official reservation if you are satisfied with it.

Official reservations make it easy to communicate directly with the inn, and limited plans may be available. However, the official reservation is not always the cheapest or easiest to change. Compare with the same dates, number of people, rooms, meals, and cancellation conditions, and choose if you are satisfied.

Using a reservation site is also a valid option. Rather than accepting unrealistic conditions for the sake of support, choose a method that will allow you to continue your journey for a long time. For more details, see Comparison of official website and reservation website.

3. Enjoy services other than accommodation

If there is something you would like to use, such as meals, hot springs, cafes, shops, experiences, additional dishes, etc., you can enjoy it at the regular price. Finding the charm of a guest room that will satisfy you even if cats don’t come out will help you avoid focusing your customer service expectations solely on cats.

There’s no need to buy things you don’t need. It is important to have the perspective of paying for the food, the building, the area, and the host’s work, not just because there is a cat.

4. Follow the rules of the cat and the inn

Do not chase, do not pick up, do not give food, do not use flashlights, and do not open entrances or exits carelessly. These actions not only ensure the cat’s safety, but also allow the host to maintain contact between the resident cat and the guest with peace of mind.

We prioritize the explanation of the day over past information, and support decisions such as rest days, non-public hours, prohibition of photography, and retirement. For the basics, please see Accommodation etiquette preferred by resident cats.

5. Write a polite review that conveys the facts

In my reviews, I write about not only whether I saw a cat, but also specific information about the food, guest room, customer service, cleanliness, access, etc. that the next traveler can judge. For cats, include the period of your stay and use expressions that make it clear that this is an example of your stay.

If you had been informed in advance that you might not be able to see the cat, I wouldn’t give you a low rating just because the cat didn’t appear. On the other hand, if there is an insufficient explanation of the reservation conditions or a problem with the equipment, we will separate it from the cat’s free movement and calmly write down the facts.

6. Introduce yourself accurately on SNS without getting too excited

Don’t generalize by saying things like “I’ll definitely see you” or “I’ll come to your room every night.” Instead, add the date of the photoshoot and the fact that it’s an example of who you are. Do not write anything that has not been made public by the inn, such as medical history, location where the cat was rescued, inn safety equipment, or personal information about staff.

If you point them to the inn’s official account or reservation page, people who see your post can check the latest information. Check to see if other guests are in the photo and if they are allowed to both take and publish the photo.

7. Continue to visit again during off-season periods and provide reasonable support.

Staying at your favorite inn again, introducing it to your family and friends, and choosing a weekday or off-peak time will also help. However, business days and seasonal circumstances vary depending on the inn, so choose from the times and plans that the inn welcomes.

When making donations, crowdfunding, purchasing goods, providing photos, etc., please check the implementing entity, purpose of use, rights, and recruitment conditions, and participate to the extent that you are satisfied. Rather than supporting a large amount all at once, it is more powerful to maintain an interest while respecting changes in the accommodation and the age of the cat.

What to avoid when cheering

• Repeatedly asking for the cat to come out
• Move the cat for photos
• Calling for donations and supplies without the permission of the inn
• Spread unconfirmed illness, retirement, and animal rescue history
• Evaluate the entire inn based solely on “I couldn’t meet the cat”
• Reproducing official photos of the inn or other people’s photos without permission

Even with good intentions, receiving and managing lodging can become a burden. When you want to send something or plan something, first check how the inn is recruiting.

Summary

Paying for accommodation is not the only way to support Neko Yado. You can also help by checking the correct information, following the cat and inn rules, carefully conveying the appeal of the inn as a whole, and visiting again.

Don’t ask the cat too much for customer service, and support the choice to rest. With this premise, the traveler’s feeling of “like” becomes a force that supports the lives of the resident cat and its host for a long time.

Reference materials

• AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines
• There are days when resident cat is absent from serving customers
• Tourism Agency “Checkpoints when using travel reservation sites”