Pet-Friendly Offices To Become a Norm Post-Pandemic, Survey Shows

According to a survey of 500 C-suite executives, 59 percent of them expect to give workers who wish to be at home with their pets more flexibility until they return to work.

And it's not just their companies: when surveyed about potential developments, 72 percent of C-suite executives agree that since the COVID-19 pandemic, more workplaces would be pet-friendly.

Pet-Friendly Corporations

The survey commissioned by Banfield Pet Hospital and administered by OnePoll, surveyed 1,500 dog and cat owners at work to gauge their ability to bring their pets to work.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, three out of ten of those polled have adopted a new cat or puppy, which C-suite executives bear in mind.

Younger Generation Employees

Employees in the Millennial and Gen Z generations were the most likely to have welcomed a new pet after last March. They were also the most likely to expect a pet-friendly program as they returned to work (48 percent and 71 percent, respectively).

Survey Result

Overall, 63 percent of workers interviewed said that spending more time at home has caused them to explore how pets might integrate into their workday, and 57 percent said they'd be happier returning to work if they could spend the day with their pet their side.

The top worry for those who said they would return to work was that their pet would have separation anxiety if left home alone all day (38 percent).

However, respondents don't only want their pet to help their four-legged pal at work: With their pet as a deskmate, 23% of those workers said they'd be more efficient.

One in five workers (21%) - including one in three Gen Zers and one in five millennials - consider rehoming their dogs if they can't bring them to work with them.

Transitioning from WFH to F2F

The positive news is that 32 percent of pet owners polled have recently sought guidance from their doctor about how to make the transition back to work easier on their dogs, while 45 percent are considering programs such as dog walking and daycare while they are away from home.

"We understand that owning a pet is extremely rewarding, but it also has its challenges. Not only do we want to be there for the tail wags and snuggles, but we also want to help deter problems anytime and whenever we can, "Banfield Pet Hospital's chief medical officer, Molly McAllister, said. "Veterinary teams will consult on all facets of caring for your pet and help ensure pets and their families remain together if pet owners are feeling stressed or have questions or complaints, in addition to taking care of your pet's welfare."

Pet Owning Employees

With several workers considering remote jobs, the survey asked C-suite respondents what prompted them to seek more accessibility for pet-owning employees.

Employees are strongly seeking it: of people who worked in an office before the pandemic, 23 percent of working pet owners have already contacted their boss to seek a pet-friendly scheme, with another 27 percent planning to do so.

Employees were even more likely to come to work while their canine pets were invited (61 percent ).

"The human-animal relationship has only become deeper since the pandemic," said Brian Garish, president of Banfield Pet Hospital. "It's no wonder that owners are worried about how they can better be here with their pets as they start to spend more time outside of the house." "We agree that by improving human health through the care of pets, we can improve social well-being. That's why, no matter what 2021 holds, we'll be here for pets and their families while they adapt to this new standard, offering high-quality preventive care."

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