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Photographer Documents The Secret Lives Of Cats Living in Hong Kong’s Stores (47 Pics)
When Dutch photographer Marcel Heijnen moved to Hong Kong, he noticed something quite interesting about the traditional shops there - most of them have their own cats living inside!
So fascinated with this culture of shop cats, Heijnen couldn't resist photographing the feline fellows. He even created an Instagram account featuring the Chinese kitties and uploads new photos of them regularly. Shop cats, market cats, alley cats - he's captured them all! You can find his photos on Instagram or in his new book which will be launching at Blue Lotus Gallery in December together with his pop-up exhibition.
More info: Instagram | marcelheijnen.com (h/t: creativeboom)
This post may include affiliate links.
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Radka Pipotová 9 years ago
Prague:-) https://www.facebook.com/radkapipotovafotografie/ WP_2016032...7e0866.jpg 
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"Ummmmm.....I don't want to bother you, but do you suppose you could open this door? I came in for a nap and someone went and closed it. I'd be ever so grateful."
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Vini Vinsent 9 years ago
Stamina 5555+ Armour 1768+ Speed 10000+ Charisma 183649+
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"If you are interested, please inquire within. I'm just here to keep track of everything."
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
The safest place to cop a bit of a nap is to blend in with the merchandise......
Tillie Martinussen 9 years ago
This is my favourite! That's so cute! Aaaw! Those teeny tiny Paws!
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Anna McHugh 9 years ago
HAve you ever been in a TCM shop? It really doesn't smell that different.
Load More Replies... Michael Chu 9 years ago
"Why did he sniff my butt before sniffing the herbs? Oh, because I'm the benchmark" - Cat
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"No, I am not a translator; I neither read nor speak Japanese, however, if you are interested, take the next door on the right just ahead. Tell them Snuffy sent you."
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"It may take me a while, but I'll eventually get this pushed into its proper spot."
brandon sat 9 years ago
"yo, can you give me a hand with this box please...we need to move it right over there"
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brandon sat 9 years ago
hey you..human...do like this, put your head right here....let me show you something ;-)...hehehe.
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Lucifer 9 years ago
He had to sell a lot of carpets with his human, to go and buy some catnip later.
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"And here you thought I was sliding down the wall! I'm just sitting on a glass-top counter, is all. (I fool people like that all the time! He-He!)
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"Yes, we know there is another bed; we just both like this one. And there's room. So--what's the problem?"
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"Quick--take the shot before the itch on the end of my nose gets to be too much! Call it, Reflected Nobility."
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Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"I'm stationed down here where no one will see me; that way, any shoplifters will be sorry right off!"
Daria B 9 years ago
Or the ghost in the closet, I mean, behind the shelf.
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Gina Gunt 9 years ago
There are not shark fins, but the belly of the fish. Eating cats and dogs in Hong Kong (which is NOT China) has been banned since 1954. These fish bellies (fa gau) are first washed, then soaked, then boiled in water, and then finally prepared in various dishes, so any traces of the cat's feces will be long gone by then.
Jana Fuentes 9 years ago
"For heaven's sake--if you must scratch, would you please get down off the display counter? One wrong move and the whole thing comes tumbling down. And you know how long it took to get all this stuff up here, right?" (Honestly, some cats have no sense at all!!)
Andrew Lull 9 years ago
"It was at that moment when Francis realized that she had left the oven on at home."
Katica Burony 9 years ago
They call those things "food" ? :D It looks like snake and worm skin *yikes* :D
Pi... 9 years ago
If these are indeed shark fin, then it's really sad and should not be encouraged. :'(
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Tillie Martinussen 9 years ago
It's amazing how many of the cats also look like their owners in this series. Seems like their personalities and vigilance-level are likeminded. I have only seen that with dogs and humans before. Great photographer!
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Pamela Mitchell 9 years ago
It looks like a cat head drawing on his side!
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Tillie Martinussen 9 years ago
First one where they look really different from one another; owner and cat. But there's synchronicity in their head-tilts. X)
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Tillie Martinussen 9 years ago
Hunting for mice! Wow! :D And looks like lucrative hunting grounds too!
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What do you think ?
Wing and Mary Chan 9 years ago
Most of these shops are owner-occupying or else they cannot survive the extremely expensive rents. Very often the front of the unit is shop while the rear is accommodation, so these cats are actually house pets. These 'shop' cats appear to be well-fed and have absolute trust in their owners.
Hans 9 years ago
While I really like animals, some of these shots are a little questionable from a perspective of food hygiene.
Dessie 9 years ago
I like that some photos don't focus too much on the cats that it make a viewer look around, searching for where the animal is, like a "where is Waldo" segment. Some photos are so perfectly timed that it creates an interesting narrative, not to mention a parallel between feline to human life
Carol Taylor 9 years ago
in Asian society Cats bring good luck, that is one reason for having them..the other reason is to keep down the rodent population...
Tricia Ferrell 9 years ago
I wonder how the phenomenon got started and also why no one seems bothered by it. Love it.
Steven Chan 9 years ago
Most shops are selling dried goods well contained in bags/bottles (saw pics of coffin store at ig). You never see kitties in restaurants
Wing and Mary Chan 9 years ago
Most of these shops are owner-occupying or else they cannot survive the extremely expensive rents. Very often the front of the unit is shop while the rear is accommodation, so these cats are actually house pets. These 'shop' cats appear to be well-fed and have absolute trust in their owners.
Hans 9 years ago
While I really like animals, some of these shots are a little questionable from a perspective of food hygiene.
Dessie 9 years ago
I like that some photos don't focus too much on the cats that it make a viewer look around, searching for where the animal is, like a "where is Waldo" segment. Some photos are so perfectly timed that it creates an interesting narrative, not to mention a parallel between feline to human life
Carol Taylor 9 years ago
in Asian society Cats bring good luck, that is one reason for having them..the other reason is to keep down the rodent population...
Tricia Ferrell 9 years ago
I wonder how the phenomenon got started and also why no one seems bothered by it. Love it.
Steven Chan 9 years ago
Most shops are selling dried goods well contained in bags/bottles (saw pics of coffin store at ig). You never see kitties in restaurants
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