A framed picture of a sassy calico cat takes pride of place at the newly opened Jin Min Cat World, an interactive educational space in Mysuru that focuses on cat awareness and responsible pet care.
“That’s Coco,” says Sharath BS, founder of Jin Min Cat World, who gives me a virtual tour of the space, which he calls a cat museum and outdoor theme park, “for the entertainment of cats, not humans.”
It was Coco’s death after she escaped from a window and a horrific car accident in 2024 that prompted him to found the museum. “I wanted more people to learn about cats,” he says, offering me glimpses of the signboards and artifacts in the museum that are focused on just that.
The museum has a diverse range of cat artefacts and art | Photo credit: Special arrangement
In one part of the museum, Egyptian cat figurines rub shoulders with animated cat characters such as Tom from Tom and Jerry and the Japanese manga character Doraemon, while another part of the museum offers a diverse range of feline artwork.
Sharath also shows me an information section with large boards offering relevant information about cats, from the basics of what exactly a cat is, to details on cat vision, how to read an animal’s body language, when to take a cat to the vet, cat coat types and even a detailed section dedicated to the different cat breeds in the world.
“Just like dogs, there are several breeds of cats, at least 40-50, but people don’t know about it,” he says, adding that Jin Min does not promote any particular breed. “I’m just letting them know that there are so many breeds in the world. I love independent cats and have had them for decades.”
The museum also includes animated cat characters | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Located on Nanjangud-Ooty Road, Kille Mohalla, Jin Min Cat World is quite close to Mysuru’s star attraction, the palace, and is home to about 20 cats of various breeds, including many independents.
“All of our cats are adopted,” says Sharath, walking out into the vast space behind the museum, where many of these cats, including a shaggy ragdoll and a lively, shy Bengal, are basking in a narrow cattery, conspicuously ignoring the various museum visitors watching.
Sharath BS hopes to raise awareness about cats through this museum | Photo credit: Special arrangement
This catheter, connected to several other labyrinths of cat tunnels, eventually leads to a larger, 1,000-square-foot enclosure within the building, which is filled with cat enrichment items, including cat trees, scratching posts, and shelves, with mandatory items such as food and water bowls and trays. “That way, they can come and go whenever they want,” he says.
These interlocking nets, made of mesh one at a time, designed and planned by Sharath, allow cats to enjoy the outside world while isolating them from outside threats.
Sharath, spent many hours surfing the internet to understand how people in other countries build catios, a concept little known in India. “That way the cat gets some privacy,” he says, pointing out that while anyone can visit the cat museum, they can’t go and touch the cat without permission. “We respond to requests.”
Sharath, who used his personal savings to create the space, intends to fund day-to-day operations through ticket sales: entry to Jin Min Cat World costs ₹69 for children under 10 and ₹99 for all other visitors. “That will be enough to keep our salaries, rent, household expenses, vet fees and food going.”
Before adopting cats, it is important to know some basic things about them, says Sharath | Photo credit: Special arrangement
So far, he adds, the response has been excellent, with many visitors flocking to the space, the first of its kind in India, although Istanbul in Turkey and Shizuoka in Japan already have cat museums.
“Since Mysuru is a tourist city, thousands of tourists visit it,” says Sharath, who believes that because the city attracts both these floating tourists and is interested in local residents, it is an ideal place to educate people and build a larger cat community. “I just want more people to be more aware of cats and their lifestyle. If you want to adopt a cat, you should know these basic things.”
Published – February 9, 2026 12:38 PM IST
