"People who want to get a qualification" and "people who have a qualification but haven't found employment as a groomer." If you love cats, there's a way to make grooming a job you can continue.

Pechika Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Atsuo Watanabe), which operates 20 cat-exclusive pet hotels and salons nationwide, has officially launched "Nekobeya Academy," a training institution for cat-exclusive groomers. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum covering both grooming techniques and business startup know-how, allowing individuals who wish to learn grooming from scratch, as well as those who already hold qualifications and are seeking employment, to choose not only to "get a job somewhere" but also to "open their own cat-exclusive salon." For those considering enrollment, free LINE consultations and one-day trial sessions are now available.

Do you have these thoughts?

【For those who want to learn grooming from scratch】

- I love cats and want to make grooming my profession. However, I'm worried about the 1-2 years of study and tuition fees at vocational schools.

- I want to know if I can truly make a living by obtaining a qualification.

- If I'm going to learn, I want to do it somewhere that offers a clear vision of "how I will work" afterwards.

【For those who already have a qualification】

- I have a qualification, but I can't find a job that meets my expectations. My salary isn't as high as I thought it would be.

- Standing work and physically demanding tasks are tough on my body. I've injured my hands and back from working with large dogs or aggressive animals.

- I really want to focus on working with cats, but there are few workplaces that specialize in cats.

For both groups, the true goal should not be "the qualification itself," but "to be able to make a living by interacting with cats." And there is more than one path to achieve this.

Is "getting a qualification" your goal?

A qualification is one means to reach the starting line. However, if obtaining the qualification itself becomes the objective, it often leads to a situation where "you have the qualification, but nothing beyond it." That's why I especially want to convey to those who are about to learn: if you're going to invest the same amount of time and money, choose a place to learn that looks beyond just the techniques, all the way to "starting your own business" – in other words, a place that helps you "live by interacting with cats."

Actually, there is an overwhelming shortage of "groomers who can specialize in cats" right now.

The number of cats owned in Japan has reached 8.83 million (according to a survey by the Japan Pet Food Association), exceeding the 7.05 million dogs. Despite this, there are still only a handful of grooming salons that can handle cats professionally. Many salons are dog-centric and tend to turn away cat clients, and grooming at veterinary clinics often requires anesthesia.

In other words, "people who love cats and can handle them with care" will be increasingly in demand. Cat-exclusive services are less prone to price wars, and it's said that higher prices, approximately double those for dogs, can be established. Your "love for cats" can directly become your strength.

What you can learn at Nekobeya Academy

To ensure that learning doesn't end with "just acquiring skills," you can learn grooming techniques, business startup, and customer acquisition in an integrated manner.

1 Grooming techniques specialized for cats

Learn cat-specific techniques from the basics, as cats are handled completely differently from dogs. Based on field experience, you'll learn everything from nail trimming, gentle restraint, cat-specific shampoos, to non-anesthetic procedures.

2 Preparation for starting a business

Learn how to prepare for starting your own business, including how to begin as a solo operator from home. This will turn your dream of "someday owning my own shop" into a realistic step.

3 Customer acquisition and business management

In addition to managing your business, such as appointment scheduling, customer service, and understanding sales figures, you'll also learn how to utilize websites, Instagram, Google Maps, and online advertising. This is knowledge that the Nekobeya headquarters can share because they possess expertise in customer acquisition.

Three paths that lie beyond your studies

You can choose your path after graduation based on your lifestyle and financial situation.

Path

Image

1 Start a business from home as a solo operator

Minimize rent and start small at your own pace.

2 Home salon + attached cat-exclusive hotel

If desired, attach a hotel to increase revenue (optional).

3 Establish a physical store and operate professionally

Choose a location and expand your business reach.

* For starting a business, you can utilize Nekobeya's franchise system and ongoing support. Specific costs and procedures will be explained during the free consultation and one-day trial session (income is not guaranteed).

What Nekobeya Academy can offer

Nekobeya has operated cat-exclusive pet hotels and salons at 20 locations nationwide. The cat-specialized techniques and operational know-how, honed over 10 years and with over 50 million yen invested, form the foundation of the academy. At the one-day trial session, you can experience the atmosphere of a real workplace firsthand. This is learning "with a real workplace," not just from textbooks.

We answer common concerns

Q. Is there an age limit?

A. No. Anyone can pursue this career as long as they love cats and have the motivation to learn, regardless of age.

Q. I don't have any qualifications or experience, is that okay?

A. Yes, it's okay. You can learn from the basics step-by-step to become a professional, even with no prior experience or qualifications.

Q. I'm not very dexterous with my hands...

A. Everyone starts as a beginner. We will support you at the workplace until you feel confident that you can do it on your own.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Details regarding tuition fees and other costs will be provided during the free consultation and one-day trial session. Please feel free to inquire first.

Q. I'm hesitant to apply right away.

A. Of course, you don't have to decide immediately. You can get a feel for the atmosphere through our free LINE consultation or one-day trial session before making a decision.

Flow to enrollment

STEP

Content

1. Free LINE consultation

Feel free to ask any questions via chat.

2. One-day trial session

Experience interacting with cats and learning methods at an actual workplace.

3. Start of enrollment

Learn grooming techniques, business startup, and customer acquisition in an integrated manner.

4. Business startup support

After graduation, the headquarters will support you in opening your own cat-exclusive salon.

Comments from the person in charge

"I've heard so many voices saying, 'I got a qualification, but I have nowhere to use it.' There's a big gap between learning a skill and being able to make a living from it. Nekobeya Academy aims to bridge that gap by offering a path to "starting your own business." If you love cats and want a job that involves interacting with them, we would be happy to create a place where that passion can be rewarded together." (Pechika Inc. / Representative Director, Atsuo Watanabe)

Nekobeya Academy Overview

Item

Content

Name

Nekobeya Academy (Cat-exclusive groomer training institution)

Operation

Pechika Inc. (Cat-exclusive pet hotel "Nekobeya" / 20 locations nationwide, Cat-exclusive grooming salon "Nekobeya Salon")

Target Audience

Individuals who wish to learn cat-exclusive grooming and open their own salon in the future / Current groomers who want to change their work style (No experience or qualifications required / No age limit)

What you can learn

Cat-exclusive grooming techniques / Business startup preparation / Customer acquisition and salon management

Consultation/Application

Free LINE consultations and one-day trial sessions are accepted at any time.

Tuition fees, etc.

Details will be provided during the free consultation and one-day trial session.

Details here

https://nekobeya-owner.com/salon_academy-before

【Company Profile】

Item

Content

Company Name

Pechika Inc.

Representative

Atsuo Watanabe, Representative Director

Head Office Location

3-13-5 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Established

March 13, 2015

Business Activities

Operation of cat-exclusive pet hotel "Nekobeya" and cat-exclusive shampoo salon "Nekobeya Salon" / Operation of cat-exclusive groomer training institution "Nekobeya Academy" / Franchise development of the same business / Veterinary clinics

Number of Stores

14 directly managed stores / 6 franchise stores, totaling 20 stores

Official Website

https://nekobeya.pechika.jp/

【Contact Information for this Matter】

Pechika Inc. Public Relations Representative: Hamaya Email: nekobeya_academy@pechika.co.jp / Phone: 050-1808-0235 (Reception hours 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)