Found on the Net: Lucky Cat in Asian Culture

The maneki-neko (Japanese: 招き猫^?, literally "beckoning cat") is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—often at the entrance—of shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, beckoning cat, or fortune cat in English.

The top cartoon says, "Everyone hopes that their cats are attracting wealth into the family",
the bottom cartoon says, "They think that the owner has money growing on the tree."