Petco Releases New Survey Results Marking 6th Annual National Pets at Work Day, Encourages Employers to Consider Pet-Friendly Options
As businesses across America develop and start to implement return-to-work plans, Petco Health and Wellness Company is urging employers to consider adopting a pet-friendly workplace policy among other post-pandemic changes and sharing information and resources for employees and employers ready to welcome pets at work.
The company will introduce a new playbook and toolkit this summer to help employers transition their workplace into a safe, healthy and productive environment for both people and pets. Offerings will include options ranging from DIY solutions for creating a pet-friendly workplace to benefits like pet insurance, Vital Care, on-site pet services and supplies.
“At Petco, we’ve experienced the benefits of working with and around pets all day for decades – whether in our Petco Pet Care Centers or our pet-friendly support center offices,” said Ron Coughlin, Petco’s Chairman and CEO. “The past year of quarantining and working from home has brought more pets into American families than ever before and significantly deepened the bonds we share with them. We want to see those bonds continue and ensure these pets remain an integral part of our families well into the future. As pet parents consider heading back to offices, we believe they will and should expect their employers to welcome their pets as well – and Petco is here to help companies do it.”
Research shows that having a pet, or even interacting with one, has positive effects on both animals and people, which supports three of the five pillars – physical, mental and social health – of Petco’s Whole Health philosophy. The presence of friendly animals can reduce people’s heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol; and regularly interacting with animals can reduce anxiety and promote calmness. Pets in the workplace can even enhance productivity, employee engagement and socialization among co-workers. Particularly given the concerns around post-pandemic separation anxiety and its impact on pet mental health, allowing pets into the office is also beneficial for pets’ mental well-being and will help ease the return to work transition.
“It’s no secret that pets come with a multitude of benefits for humans, from reducing stress to improving health,” said Dr. Whitney Miller, Chief Veterinarian at Petco. “Pets encourage us to stay active and provide incredible companionship, especially during the past year, when so many people have felt isolated at home and bereft of social interaction. When it comes to pets in the workplace, I’m confident that as more companies witness the positive effects that pets have on employees and company culture, the more they’ll see enhanced overall morale, which bodes well for business performance.”
Petco established National Pets at Work Day in 2016 to lead the charge in raising awareness for the mental, social and business health benefits associated with having pets in the workplace for pets, people and employers alike. Today, Petco is using #PetsAtWork to call on pet parents to share how bringing pets to the office would support their happiness in returning to work and asking business owners, HR leaders and office space landlords to share the benefits they’ve experienced by going pet-friendly or what they would need to make the switch.
Petco provides pet parents with unique benefits aimed at supporting them throughout pet parenthood, including Petco Insurance, which offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, as well as a pet bereavement policy that affords partners appropriate time to grieve when they lose a beloved pet. Additionally, Petco’s in-store and online dog training covers a variety of topics from potty and crate training to managing undesirable behaviors and helping with separation anxiety.
For more information on National Pets at Work Day, the benefits of pet-friendly workplaces and key tips for employers thinking about how to go pet-friendly, click here. Employers interested in learning more can reach out to petsatwork@petco.com.