Meet Zub and discover why Hong Kong’s famous shop cats have become social media stars, tourist attractions and beloved neighbourhood icons.
“The first thing I wanted to do in Hong Kong was meet Zub!” More and more visitors from the Chinese mainland are making that their first stop after arriving in the city, heading to a pharmacy in Mong Kok to see one of Hong Kong’s most famous shop cats.
According to China News Service, Zub’s real name is Cai Ge. When it’s not keeping watch over the pharmacy, the cat can often be found sitting at a nearby bus stop, where it casually blocks passengers waiting in line. Its laid-back attitude has earned it thousands of fans, who affectionately nicknamed it Zub, roughly meaning “the little one who blocks your way.”
Zub now has a dedicated fan page with more than 30,000 followers. Fans have created postcards, stickers and other merchandise, and even put up a giant support poster outside the shop, turning the pharmacy into a popular photo stop. Zub is far from alone. Across Hong Kong, many neighbourhood shops have resident cats that warmly greet customers. Locals affectionately refer to them as shop cats, or “cat managers.”
The tradition has deep roots. Decades ago, dried seafood shops, Chinese medicine stores and grocery shops relied on cats to keep rats away and protect their goods. Many people also believed cats could bring prosperity and good fortune. Over time, they became part of the character of Hong Kong’s street-side businesses.
In recent years, shop cat competitions and cat photography contests have grown in popularity across Hong Kong. Rather than simply ranking cats by popularity, these events celebrate the bond between shop owners, their cats and the local community.
This year, the Partnership Award went to Sai Yung, a shop cat at a pet supplies store in Yuen Long, in recognition of its role in the local community. Another resident cat, Wonton, joined Zub as one of the event’s mascots, helping promote the competition.
“Hi, I’m back!” Bella says as she walks into the shop to visit Sai Yung and Wonton. Even when she has no plans to shop, she often stops by just to see them. Since becoming social media stars, the two cats have brought the shop a steady stream of customers. Their owner jokes that they’ve earned enough to cover their own food and daily expenses, making them true lucky cats.
The owner says the cats offer more than commercial value. One fan living with a mental health condition regularly watched videos of Sai Yung and Wonton and collected postcards featuring them during treatment, finding comfort and relief from anxiety. Another student often visits simply to sit quietly beside the cats and talk through personal worries.
“Pets have a unique ability to comfort people,” said Siu Ka-fai, a member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Once pets become part of a neighbourhood shop’s identity, they naturally attract visitors while helping build a more pet-friendly community, he said. As Hong Kong’s pet industry continues to grow, Siu expects more businesses to welcome shop cats and other animal companions.
If you liked this article, why not read: How a Cat Village in China Became a Tourist Attraction
