Last Updated on 6 February 2026 by Vanessa
One of my favorite things about traveling is stumbling upon those little details that make a place feel alive. And in the bustling streets of Hong Kong, this happens to come with whiskers and an attitude. Hong Kong Shop Cats by Marcel Heijnen is a photo book that captures the city’s feline shopkeepers: cats lounging in hardware stores, napping on fabric bolts, or judging you from behind the counter. You’ll see Hong Kong’s street culture in a whole new way.
Ready to meet these cool cats for yourself? Keep reading, and enjoy this feline photo series!
Hong Kong Shop Cats by Marcel Heijnen
How it all started
Back in late 2015, Dutch photographer Marcel Heijnen was wandering around his new neighborhood of Sai Ying Pun in Hong Kong. Even though he’d lived in the city for a while, this part of town was still new to him.
He quickly noticed that many shopkeepers kept cats to protect their goods from mice and rats, especially in traditional stores in the older districts.
The first Hong Kong shop cat he found and photographed was called Dau Ding (豆丁), a Cantonese nickname that translates to “little bean” or “tiny one.”
Fast forward a year, and this cat’s photo ended up on the cover of his book, Hong Kong Shop Cats.
A love letter to Hong Kong’s cozy corners
What I love most about Heijnen’s book is that it’s not just a collection of cute cat photos (though it delivers plenty of those). It’s a celebration of a culture where cats and commerce coexist in the most heartwarming way.
The shops featured in the book feel like little time capsules. No flashy signs. No sleek branding. Just shelves stacked with goods, lots of organized chaos, and cats that clearly run the place.
China often makes headlines for the mistreatment of animals—especially cats. So seeing these felines not only accepted, but adored, is incredibly touching.
You can tell these cats are companions, co-workers, and shop mascots. After seeing several of Marcel Heijnen’s photos, it becomes clear that these cats are well-fed, and most importantly, loved. The connection between shopkeeper and cat feels real, deep, and totally heart-melting.
Marcel Heijnen didn’t just take photos—he captured relationships and small, soulful moments. And in doing so, he’s gently challenging stereotypes about how animals are treated in this part of the world.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The book is mostly photographs—with just a short introduction—but honestly, that’s all it needs. The images speak for themselves. They invite you to slow down, soak in the charm, and maybe even imagine what it would be like to run a shop with a sleepy cat assistant by your side.
It takes Marcel Heijnen hours or even days before he finds a cat in a perfect setting, and he often has to go back to the same place several times before he can finally get that perfect shot.
“What works best for me is waiting and being patient,” Marcel Heijnen told me. “Sometimes, I spot a cat in a delightful situation and make sure to capture a photo immediately because the situation can change in a heartbeat – the cat might walk away, or, on the contrary, come closer. Then, I linger around to see if anything changes, if I can capture even better compositions and angles of the same scene.”
Marcel Heijnen told me, “I also enjoy creating ‘search images,’ where you have to find the cat in the picture in a ‘Where’s Wally?‘ style, amidst a busy background filled with almost timeless shops.”
“I am also quite particular about the angles I use, aiming for as many straight lines in the composition as possible. Sharpness is crucial in this series; I want viewers to discover plenty of details in the background. And, of course, there’s an element of humor.”
Final thoughts
Did you enjoy Marcel Heijnen’s Hong Kong Shop Cats? Will you be adding these shop cats to your Hong Kong itinerary? Then check out his book on Amazon.
You can further support Marcel Heijnen’s work by sharing this article with your friends and on social media.
Disclosure: I received a PDF copy of Hong Kong Shop Cats from Marcel Heijnen, for the purpose of writing this review. All opinions, however, are my own.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links, Traveling Cats will get a small commission.
Pictures of the Hong Kong shop cats courtesy of Marcel Heijen.
Don’t miss the follow-up: Shop Cats of China
If you can’t get enough of these shop cats, you’re in luck—Marcel Heijnen followed up with Shop Cats of China, a gorgeous continuation that takes you beyond Hong Kong and into the rest of the country. Expect more curious cats, timeworn storefronts, and quiet moments that speak volumes.
Love this book? Check out more cat photo books from around the world!
- Cats of Greece and Scenic Places
- Cats of the World
- The French Cat
- Neko Land
- Cats in the Sun
- Street Cats and Where to Find Them
- Travels of Suki the Adventure Cat
- Land of the Rising Cat
- Chats autour du monde
Read next: Meet Cecil, the feline manager of a Safeway store in Portland.
