03/29/2026
As it should be
One company gives employees two weeks of paid leave — not for a baby, but for adopting a shelter dog. And it's working.
More and more companies are giving employees paid time off when they adopt a pet or lose one. It's called "Pawternity Leave" — ranging from a few hours to two full weeks. Mars Petcare, BrewDog, Rover and mParticle already offer it. New York City has even introduced a bill for pet sick leave.
Over 80 million U.S. households own a pet. Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce and the largest group of pet owners. Studies show employees who get time to bond with a new pet or grieve a lost one come back more focused. Some companies also offer pet insurance and up to five paid bereavement days.
Not everyone agrees. Critics say coworkers resent covering for someone's "puppy time." But supporters argue: if you get bereavement leave for a family member, and your pet is family, the policy makes sense. The trend is growing — and not slowing down.
