Owner Loses His Pet Cat In An Accident, Builds A Museum In Its Memory In Mysuru

BENGALURU: A cat lover Sharath.B.S., lost his pet cat ‘Coco’ in a road accident about a year-and half and the road kill of his pet hurt him the most before he decided to gather details on proper upkeep of cats as pets at homes which ultimately gave birth to ‘Jin Min Cat World’, an amusement and museum for cats in Mysuru city. Such a museum for cats is said to be the first of its kind in the country.

With the start of a museum for cats, Mysuru city joins Istanbul in Turkey and Japan when it comes to sharing and caring for cats. In faraway Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey, the residents happily share their spaces with stray cats and such is the love for stray cats that the residents’ leave a bunch of food and water for the cats on every street.

The love for cats does not end at offering food and space, but the Istanbul city remembers its iconic cat ‘Tombili’. A statue is dedicated to the iconic cat pretty much similar to the way ‘Tombili’ used to watch passers-by resting on a roadside bench.

Cats in Japan hold historical and cultural significance. Cat cafes have become increasingly popular in Japan since Japanese stories represent cats as guides or companions to humans. “Japan considers cats as a symbol of good luck and fortune,” says literature available online. Cats hold a special significance in Islam.

The Mysuru cat amusement inaugurated about 15-days aims to spread awareness among cat lovers on ways to care for cats such as their feeding, health care, playing habits among others.

“The lifespan of a cat can last up to 18 years if cared for,” said Sharath in a chat with Deccan Chronicle on Monday and stated “They can be good companions at home and can be with their owners for their entire life.”

Having lost his pet cat, Sharath started to gather information on how to care for pet cats and an idea struck him to start a museum for cats to disseminate information among cat lovers on proper handling of cats. The idea to start an amusement/museum took a final shape after his wife Shilpa backed him. The amusement/museum design was gathered from various sources available online.

To accomplish his mission, Sharath left his corporate job to dedicate full attention to spreading information on caring cats.

Sharath said the museum is not a mere place for visitors to go around but helps to understand the way a cat should be cared for. “We tell visitors to the way a cat should be handled at homes such as offering food/ cleaning drinking water, regular vaccination among others,” he said and stated “Even visitors bring to my notice certain things about cats such as their behavior. The museum is a mutual for sharing details.”

As many as 20 cats are accommodated at the museum. Caretakers at the museum attend to cats while a couple of veterinarians keep cats fit. The museum is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

A visitor to the museum, Rakshitha said "Liked the place' and another visitor Nishika, a resident of Bengaluru said "This museum is an interactive place."