Environment of love

Looking for a place to take a rest, sip a cup of coffee and have a fluffy companion? Welcome to animal-themed cafes.
想找一个休憩的地方，喝杯咖啡，还能有毛茸茸的小动物陪伴左右？欢迎来到动物主题咖啡店。

In recent years, the combination of pets and catering has become incredibly popular in many cities throughout China. While many cafes started out offering the company of cats and dogs, others are expanding their range. Some cafes include animals like squirrels, raccoons and even capybaras.
近年来，宠物主题的餐厅在全国多个城市风行。许多咖啡店里都开始有猫狗陪伴客人，还有一些店提供了更广的选择范围。有的咖啡店里有松鼠、浣熊甚至是水豚等动物。

In reviews, internet users have commented that one of their main reasons for visiting these businesses is to interact closely with animals they have only seen from afar.
在评论中，网友们都表示他们会去这些店的一大原因，是能与这些先前只是远远见过的动物们亲密互动。

“[The customers] love animals. They are curious about these pets and want to raise one at home, but circumstances don’t allow it,” said pet cafe owner Tian Xuhui.
“（顾客们）很爱动物。他们对这些宠物很好奇，想要在家里养一只，但条件不允许，”宠物咖啡店店主田雪卉（音译）表示。

Liu Wan, a Beijing resident who works in finance, loves pigs, but her parents would not approve of her getting one as a pet. The 24-year-old had to admire the animals through videos and images. But now, she can have a close encounter with an adorable pig every weekend in a pet cafe.
居住在北京的金融工作者刘婉（音译）喜欢小猪，但父母并不允许她养。这位24岁的年轻人只能通过视频和图片来欣赏小动物。但如今，她每个周末都能在宠物咖啡店里与一只可爱的小猪亲密接触了。

Also, these pet cafes serve as a haven for those who find comfort in being around animals.
此外，这些宠物咖啡店还成为了寻求小动物安慰的人们的避风港。

“In this place, you can get close to the cute little ones in a very comfortable way without having to worry about safety and hygiene – overall, it is an extremely comfortable experience,” said Xiao Ou, 30, a frequent pet cafe visitor.
“在这里，你可以与这些可爱的小家伙们十分舒服地亲密接触，不用担心安全与卫生的问题 —— 总之，这是一次极度舒适的体验，”30岁的宠物咖啡店常客肖欧（音译）说道。

Animal lovers also expect the pet cafes to change people’s attitudes toward pets.
动物爱好者们还认为，宠物咖啡店能够改变人们对于宠物的态度。

Animals like ducks, pigs and sheep have been served as food for many years. People hardly see them as pets. But the pet cafes help shift their attitude from seeing them as playthings to regarding them as family members or close friends.
鸭、猪、羊等动物多年来都被用作食材。人们很少将它们视为宠物。但宠物咖啡店有助于改变人们将它们视为玩物的态度，而是把它们看做家庭成员或者亲密伙伴。

“Whether at home or in stores, these little animals are there for companionship and they bring warmth to our hearts. They care and understand just like family members. They give us much more than the love we give to them,” Xiao said.
“不论是在家里还是在店里，这些小动物都会陪伴我们，让我们的心里暖暖的。它们就像家人一样关心理解我们。它们对我们的付出比我们给予它们的爱要多多了，”肖欧表示。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高三720期