Companies trying to coax employees back into the office have tested everything from catered lunches to redesigned workspaces. One San Francisco startup has added two furry recruits to the effort.
Mochi Health keeps a pair of British Shorthair cats, Muffin and Butter, in its office. According to a report by CBS News, the animals have become an informal part of the company's return-to-office strategy.
A Perk Lineup Built Around Comfort
The cats are only one piece of Mochi Health's in-office offering. Employees also have access to recurring poker games and free meals ordered through DoorDash.
The workspace itself is designed to feel closer to a home living room than a traditional corporate setting. Chief executive Myra Ahmad has framed the approach around enjoyment rather than obligation.
"I think the in-office environment needs to be fun," Ahmad said.
Why Cats Instead of Dogs
Dog-friendly offices are a familiar perk in the tech world, but Ahmad sees practical advantages in choosing cats. Felines generally need less supervision and do not require regular trips outdoors.
Ahmad noted that dogs can be difficult to keep contained and often want walks during the day. The cats, by contrast, are content to roam within the office space, which she said makes for a calmer atmosphere.
The Data Behind Pet-Friendly Workplaces
The idea is not purely whimsical. A survey of 1,800 employed pet owners found that close to half factor in a workplace's pet policies when evaluating a job offer.
The same survey found that 60 percent would consider quitting a job that got in the way of caring for their pet. Meanwhile, 41 percent said they would accept lower pay in exchange for a pet-friendly employer.
An Employee Who Joined Partly for the Cats
For marketing associate Chanelle Mao, Muffin and Butter were a genuine draw when deciding whether to accept her role at Mochi Health. She described the cats as an incentive to take the job.
There is a notable complication: Mao is highly allergic to cats. The company supplies air filters, lint rollers and plenty of tissues to help her manage symptoms.
Mao appears to consider the occasional reaction worth it, and she has said she feels a little sad on days when the cats are not around.
What Office Cats Signal for Employers
As employers continue to wrestle with how to bring teams back together in person, Mochi Health's experience suggests that small, personal touches can carry real weight with staff.
For founders weighing return-to-office plans, the takeaway is less about cats specifically and more about understanding what makes employees want to show up. Survey data points to pets as one factor many workers care about, though companies also need to account for practical issues such as allergies when adopting such perks.
Source: CBS News
