Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, but those first few days can be overwhelming. Helping a new pet adjust to your home and routine takes time, and if you already have other pets, the process can be even more challenging. That’s where the idea of “pawternity leave” comes in. It might sound made up, but for some companies, it’s a real benefit.
Several businesses now offer pawternity—or furternity—leave, giving employees paid time off to welcome and bond with their new pets. The length of leave varies, from 10 hours to as much as two weeks. MParticle, for example, grants two weeks of leave, but only if the pet is adopted from a shelter. Some companies even provide paid pet bereavement leave, recognizing that losing a furry companion is just as heartbreaking as losing any other family member.
Pets can provide emotional support, help reduce anxiety and depression, and even be trained as service animals. Shelters are often overcrowded, so when someone adopts, they’re not just gaining a pet—they’re also making space for another animal in need. Employers who acknowledge the importance of pets in their employees’ lives and offer pet-related leave are taking a meaningful step toward supporting work-life balance.
So, which companies offer this perk? A few stand out. Rover and Mars Petcare provide 10 hours to a week of leave for new pet parents, with the added bonus of allowing pets in the office afterward. MParticle covers up to two weeks if the pet is adopted from a shelter. Scottish beer company BrewDog grants a week off, while Minneapolis-based marketing firm Collective Measures and cleaning supply company Zogics also offer pawternity leave. Additionally, companies like Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, The African Garden, VMware, Maxwell Health, Trupanion, and Drugmart.com provide some form of pet bereavement leave.
While these businesses are still in the minority, hopefully, more companies will recognize the benefits of supporting employees through the joys (and challenges) of pet parenthood.