BY
Hamizan Ahmad

The UrbanWire Deputy Production Editor

Hype Issue #59

Published on

July 19, 2024

Studying in Fuzzies, a cat coworking space. | Photo by Hamizan Ahmad

Many coworking spaces have emerged in Singapore in recent years, serving as conducive spots for work and study. With Singapore’s coworking space tripling since 2015, more spaces are being opened to meet the exponentially increasing demand.

This has been an unexpected boon for cat lovers. Cat coworking spaces, infusing existing concepts of cat cafes and coworking spaces, have started appearing across the island. Recently, one of Singapore’s newest cat coworking spaces, Fuzzies, opened its doors in May 2024.

Interior of Fuzzies as a casual coworking space. | Photo by Hamizan Ahmad

More Than Just a Coworking Space

This coworking space is not your typical formal space with conventional tables and chairs. Instead, the space is designed to make one feel at home, allowing customers to work and play whilst harnessing their creativity.

Ms Wong Chiu Theng, one of the founders of Fuzzies, expresses how she envisioned a setting that was more casual than regular coworking spaces, which she found too formal.

“We wanted a space where people [could] relax and be comfortable doing their own thing – a place that feels like home, but [is] not really home,” she said. 

Fuzzies is a flexible coworking space  – having conventional work stations with work tables topped with internet connection and electric sockets. To maximise the place’s comfort, Fuzzies ‘Cozy Corner’ is carpeted, and has bean bags and soft pillows. Most prominently, there are nine cats (as of 19 July 2024) to interact with while working or studying. This provides a calming experience for people who come by the space. 

“This space gives them an opportunity to at least interact with animals, and also just to chill,” Ms Wong said.

Additionally, there are over 60 board and card games, a Nintendo Switch console, multiple streaming platforms, and a free flow of drinks and snacks on offer.

Upper deck of Fuzzies with consoles, streaming platforms and board games. | Photo by Hamizan Ahmad

Ms Wong mentioned that the coworking space is popular during weekday afternoons, especially among tertiary students.

“We will see groups coming in just to have fun with friends. Some will come here and get a corner to study, and then they sort of take a little break in between where they will play with the cats,” she said. “So it’s just a very flexible and comfortable space for groups to hang out.”

Ms Siarra Sofea Binte Azmi, a part-timer at Fuzzies, finds that having such felines within the environment motivates people to come to the space and work, yet, also a place for people to unwind.

“The customers here react positively to the space. It feels like coming here for cats is an excuse for you to do your work,” Ms Sofea said. “These customers usually come in for a more quiet and peaceful environment, even if they come here to just chill with their friends or just to do work.”

Mr Alexander Gu, a 27-year-old who resides in Sydney, Australia, was visiting Fuzzies during his trip to Singapore. 

“I like the idea with this (Fuzzies) that downstairs, you have a space with the cats that you can chill with. And then up here, you have got a space to hang out and play games with your friends as well,” Mr Gu said.

Benefits of Studying In a Cat Co-Working Space

View of Fuzzies, with Miso the cat. | Photo by Hamizan Ahmad

Studying with cats has an overall positive impact on a person’s well-being – leading to a decrease in stress levels, and an increase in productivity.

1. Decrease In Stress Levels

According to a study published by Sage Journals, college students experience decreased levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, when they spend just ten minutes a day petting a cat. Many, including Ms Wong, have found this to be true.

“I started having a pet when I was studying in university, so that helped a lot with my mental space,” she said. “When I’m stressed, there’s my pet to accompany me, and I think that helps with balancing and managing my stress levels.”

This sentiment is shared by Mr Gu, who shared that he “heard that cats or having animals help to relieve stress, so I can get rid of stress when I work in such places.”

2. Increase In Productivity

Ms Sofea notices that the customers feel very calm and at peace, while they do their work in Fuzzies.

“Being comfortable in such a place helps them feel motivated,” she said. “Some of them come here for a few hours, and I see them focus and not get distracted.”

Additionally, Ms Sofea used to own a cat at home. She remembers the friendly companionship of her cat whilst she was still a polytechnic student. 

“It was better to study with a cat because, when it came to intensive tasks or those that required creative thinking, the cat cheered me up and relieved my stress,” she said.

A Final Overview

This innovative coworking space seems to have positively established itself in the market. 

“I’m happy that our customers agree that the cats are loved and cared for. You can tell that they’re happy and that they are enjoying the space. Most of our cats here are quite keen on human interaction, which is why it contributes to the overall pleasant experience,” Ms Wong said.

Mr Gu was very fond of Fuzzies’ refreshing concept. He found the place a convenient and conducive space to have a wonderful cat experience without needing to own one. 

“If you want to interact with animals or cats, and you don’t want to have the responsibility, you can just go into a cat cafe, which is very nice,” Mr Gu said. “I also noticed that most places are known as ‘Cat Cafes’, and usually, it’s where people serve drinks and stuff. But, this is more of a place just to hang out, and I think it’s quite good.”

Mr Gu acknowledged that he would come to this coworking space frequently if he resided as a local here.

“If I were working remotely in Singapore, I could see myself visiting such a coworking space maybe once a week or every two weeks, either for work or even to hang out here for a bit,” he said.