Shelter-Function Rescue Dog and Cat Interaction Cafe “ANELLA CAFE Minami-Urawa” to Open on May 15, 2026

ANELLA Group Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Daiki Ito), operator of the shelter-function rescue dog and cat interaction cafe “ANELLA CAFE,” will open “ANELLA CAFE Minami-Urawa” on Friday, May 15, 2026. The new location will be the company’s third store opening this month and its 29th store nationwide. The Minami-Urawa store is located on the east side of Minami-Urawa Station, about a three-minute walk from the station. Like most other ANELLA CAFE locations, excluding some stores, it will be home to both dogs and cats. Beyond the entrance is the dog area. ANELLA CAFE’s concept is “Classic Hawaiian.” The interior is based on the brand color “Anella Blue,” evoking a clear sky, and offers a relaxed atmosphere with Hawaiian music. A large wall featuring the brand character “ANELLA-kun” is also popular as a photo spot. The cat area is located in the room next to the dog area, separated by a door. The walls feature natural wood-style cat steps that pair well with Anella Blue, allowing visitors to enjoy watching the cats exercise energetically. The eye-catching large cat wheel serves as a running machine for cats. Cat toys are also available, giving visitors a chance to play with the cats and build a closer connection. At ANELLA CAFE, guests may also consider welcoming a dog or cat they feel connected to as a family member. The cafe is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of visitors, including those who want to interact with dogs and cats, those seeking a relaxed cafe experience, and those interested in adoption. As an opening campaign, admission will be free for the first 30 minutes for all visitors on May 15 and 16. Visitors are encouraged to stop by ANELLA CAFE Minami-Urawa during this opportunity. ANELLA CAFE’s Core Philosophy ANELLA CAFE operates under the belief: “Saving one animal may not change the world, but for that one animal, the world will change forever.” By welcoming more visitors, the cafe aims to raise awareness of rescue dogs and cats and create encounters with people who will give them love every day. These encounters also help rescue animals regain trust in humans. With the search for “forever families” for rescue dogs and cats at its core, ANELLA CAFE also serves as a place of everyday healing and creates employment opportunities as a Type B continuous employment support facility. Through this approach, it realizes a “three-way benefit” model. The company aims to offer more people a new option: welcoming rescue dogs and cats into their families, in addition to the conventional choice of purchasing pets from pet shops. Its wish is that, through fateful encounters, the days spent together will enrich people’s lives. Another Side of ANELLA CAFE ANELLA CAFE is not only a place to interact with rescue dogs and cats, but also functions as a Type B continuous employment support facility. Through its employment support initiatives, people with disabilities can gain training and practical experience for social participation by caring for dogs and cats and engaging in customer service. Interaction with dogs and cats is also expected to have animal therapy benefits. The cafe provides an environment where participants can feel connected to other people, animals, and the local community while developing pride and fulfillment in their work. Through these community-based efforts, ANELLA CAFE aims to help realize a society where people and animals can live together comfortably. Representative Director Daiki Ito commented that “ANELLA CAFE Minami-Urawa” will be the company’s second store in Saitama Prefecture, following the Yatsuka store. Saitama has a notably high level of animal welfare awareness nationwide and has been among the leading prefectures in strengthening initiatives to reduce animal euthanasia. The company hopes to create places across Japan that are kind to life, where everyone is respected and can feel connected to society. Expanding ANELLA’s presence further in Saitama has strengthened the company’s sense of mission. Ito said the company is not aiming to be merely an animal shelter, a welfare business, or a cafe chain. Rather, it wants to make a culture of kindness into social infrastructure through both human welfare and animal welfare. Starting from Minami-Urawa, the company will continue taking on challenges to make this warm cycle a common part of everyday life across Japan. Store overview: ANELLA CAFE Minami-Urawa is located at High Grade Minami-Urawa 1F, 2-28-16 Minami-Urawa, Minami-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. Phone: 048-767-3936. Closed irregularly. Business hours are 12:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 11:00 to 18:00 on weekends and holidays. Admission is 1,000 yen for 30 minutes for general visitors, with extensions at 400 yen per 15 minutes; 500 yen for 30 minutes for elementary school students, with extensions at 200 yen per 15 minutes. Preschool children enter free. Senior and disability discounts are available at 500 yen for 30 minutes.