• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Man who spent $14,000 to 'become a dog' opens fantasy zoo with jaw-dropping entrance fee

Home> Community> Viral

Published 15:16 31 Jan 2025 GMT

Man who spent $14,000 to 'become a dog' opens fantasy zoo with jaw-dropping entrance fee

The 'zoo' is the brainchild of canine-obsessed YouTuber Toco

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

A man who spent thousands of dollars to 'become a dog' is now opening his own 'zoo'.

Yes, you read the above line correctly: a man paid an eye-watering $14,000 to live out his dream of becoming a Border Collie.

Of course he didn't literally become a dog, but YouTuber Toco purchased an eerily realistic-looking dog suit and proceeded to live like a dog – crate and all.

Advert

To really prove that he was a dog, Toco even took part in an agility course.

Now he wants people to live their best doggy lives too, and has opened a Japan-based 'zoo'.

Taking to Instagram to announce the unusual news, Toco penned in October: "We are opening a zoo where you can become an animal, where you can make your dream of becoming an animal come true!"

Advert

The post continued: "I have had the dream of becoming an animal since I was a child, and I have made it come true in the form of a mascot costume. When I was young, I thought, 'It would be nice if there was a service where you could become an animal. Maybe there is something I can do now for people who have the same thoughts as me?'"

Named Tocotoco Zoo, people are able to go there to 'wear a mascot costume and become an animal'.

People can become an Alaskan Malamute at the 'zoo' (@toco.ev/Instagram)
People can become an Alaskan Malamute at the 'zoo' (@toco.ev/Instagram)

The unique business venture is believed to now be open, having opened its doors on January 26.

Advert

As per its site, the only animal option currently available is for people to become an Alaskan Malamute.

According to The Express US, it costs a whopping $250 to hire the suit for a morning or afternoon.

You have to make reservations 30 days in advance, and there's a warning that people with 'stiff muscles' may struggle to get into the Malamute suit.

Toco's own Border Collie suit isn't available for reservations.

Advert

The dog suit is extremely realistic (@toco.ev/Instagram)
The dog suit is extremely realistic (@toco.ev/Instagram)

As to why he chose to become that breed of dog, the YouTuber previously revealed to Mynavi: "I chose a collie because of my preference and because I wanted it to look realistic when made into a costume.

"I like animals that walk on four legs, and I especially like cute animals. Among those, I thought that a large animal that is close to us would be best for a realistic design, so I decided to go with a dog.

"Long-haired dogs can disguise their human body shape, so I chose a collie, which met those criteria and is a breed I've always liked."

Advert

Each to their own!

Featured Image Credit: toco.ev/Instagram

Topics: Japan, Animals, News, Dogs

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
3 days ago
4 days ago
  • a day ago

    Mom-to-be slammed for naming baby after disaster that impacted millions of people around the world

    One social media user wrote that they 'refused to believe this is real'

    Community
  • 3 days ago

    Horrifying simulation reveals what really happened when man was swallowed whole by a humpback whale

    A new terrifying fear has just been unlocked, brilliant...

    Community
  • 3 days ago

    Hidden interview question could cost you that new job even if you are perfect for the role

    Don't get caught out...

    Community
  • 4 days ago

    Shocking simulation reveals how two inmates in separate prison cells had a baby without ever meeting

    Miami inmates Daisy Link and Joan Depaz had never met

    Community
  • Horrifying video shows moment dog started house fire after chewing through portable battery as warning issued
  • Actor who played 'Goofy' for 30 years shocks fans by revealing the character isn't a dog
  • The world's most beautiful dog has been revealed according to science
  • Doctor issues chilling warning as to why you should never let your dog lick your face