Huskiss Cafe 2021 - First Husky Cafe in Petaling Jaya
Not too long ago, my friend and I paid a visit to the first husky cafe in Klang Valley: Huskiss Cafe. Established in 2017, it is located only 10 minutes’ walk from Paradigm Mall in Kelana Jaya or about 20 minutes’ drive from Kuala Lumpur.
This cafe is unlike any other dog cafes in the region because it features only huskies! Well, actually they have five huskies (or “Huskids”, as they call them) and one Alaskan malamute, but I was unable to tell the difference.
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How to Get There
If you’re driving, type HUSKISS on Waze of Google Map to locate the cafe. If you’re taking public transport, the nearest LRT stations are Kelana Jaya, Glenmarie and Taman Bahagia. The cafe is 10 minutes’ walk from Paradigm Mall.
Operation Hours (2021)
First, we had to call to make a booking. There are five time slots per day, each one lasting only an hour to allow the Huskids at least 30 minutes’ break between sessions. They also have a daily nap time between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Especially now that they have to limit the number of people in the cafe at any one time, make sure you make your reservation early.
Entrance Fee
RM50 per person (1 hour), inclusive of one complimentary drink. Children below one year old can enter for free.
For safety reasons, all children below 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No outside pets are allowed.
What to Expect
Do’s & Dont’s
As soon as we arrived, one of the crew members greeted us at the door and briefed us on the do’s and don’ts that we must adhere to. These rules are extremely important to keep you and the dogs safe.
For example, before entering the play area, we had to remove our shoes and sanitize our hands (they have had this rule since they first opened, way before Covid). We were also not allowed to feed or attempt to lift the Huskids.
The Menu
The cover charge includes one complimentary drink. The drink selection includes coffees, teas, mocktails, and sodas. On top of that, they also serve food like pizza, waffles, cakes, and all-day big breakfast. Please note that this cafe is NON-HALAL. No outside food or drinks are allowed.
The Dogs
The pack of dogs consists of all adult huskies and malamute, and they are all super adorable. How can they not be with all that fluff and those blue eyes and pointy ears?
However, let me warn you that if you’re expecting to get a lot of love and cuddle time with the huskies, you are probably going to be disappointed. Huskies are by nature a rowdy bunch, much like toddlers on a sugar high. They can’t seem to sit still long enough for cuddles.
But they will surely entertain you with their antics — constantly running around, dry-humping each other, and sniffing each other’s butts. One of the guests also had her behind sniffed at.
It was a real feat to get clear pictures of them because all we ever seemed to capture were blurry movements. One big husky actually jumped over my shoulder while I was sitting on the floor. Good thing that the cafe was spacious enough and that all the tables and chairs were too high and sturdy for them to jump onto or topple over.
Maybe it was because we came during the first session and the dogs were still full of energy. As the day progresses, I suppose they would probably mellow down somewhat.
The cafe greatly prioritizes hygiene, so even with all those big dogs around, you’re not going to notice any dog odor. Food and drinks are also served in containers with lids, so that no stray fur will accidentally land in them.
However, as we were busy taking photos, a little accident happened. One of the huskies suddenly went number two right behind me. It was the watery kind that stank up the entire room.
I don’t have much experience with dogs but I know dog poo is not supposed to smell that bad. Poor baby probably had an upset tummy or something (this is why guests aren’t allowed to feed them).
The workers quickly apologized and cleaned up the mess. One of them always had a bucket and mop in his hands.
New S.O.P's in 2021
To ensure a worry-free experience amidst the endemic, there are several new safety protocols:
- All guests who are 18 years old and above must be FULLY VACCINATED (with completion of the 14-day incubation period). Guests below 17 years old must be accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult.
- Only guests with low-risk or casual-contact status will be allowed to enter.
- Guests will have to undergo temperature checks at the entrance. Only those with body temperature below 37° Celsius will be allowed entry.
- Guests will also be required to sanitize their hands and be sprayed with disinfectant before entering.
- Face masks must be worn properly at all times, including photo sessions (a new mask will be given upon arrival).
- Guests are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 2 metres from each other.
- The premise will be sanitized with disinfectant after every session.
Final Thoughts
Frankly speaking, I wouldn’t recommend this experience for people who are in any way uncomfortable around dogs. Like, if you’re just accompanying your friend, but are actually — secretly — a little intimidated of dogs, then just don’t. You’d better start off with other dog cafes with smaller and calmer breeds.
However, if you’re into big dogs and especially huskies, then this is a cafe you must not miss. Dogs are known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase oxytocin. With huskies, you’ll even get some cardio workout.
Huskiss Cafe is also a great place for prospective husky owners who would like to see what it’s like to live with this energetic breed before actually bringing one home. The staff members are made up of knowledgeable dog trainers as well as certified pet nutritionists who are happy to answer any questions you may have about your fur babies.
