A paid leave to take care of your sick pet? New York might say okay

A paid day off for your furry friend? Sounds implausible, doesn’t it? But in a city that never sleeps, even pets deserve a little extra care.

The New York  City’s council is set to consider legislation that would allow New Yorkers to take paid sick leave to care for their pets and service animals. Some are calling it  — a “pawternity leave".

Introduced by Council member Shaun Abreu, the legislation could potentially impact millions of employees across the Big Apple. Unsurprisingly, it has sparked a wider debate about pet benefits and how far workplace leave policies should stretch. Here’s what we know so far.

A ‘pawfect’ opportunity

Councilman Shaun Abreu, a Manhattan Democrat, said that proposed legislation would amend the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act so that paid sick leave, which employees can take care of themselves or family members, can also be used for both household pets and service animals.

For New Yorkers like Annika Cha, policies supporting pet care have already made a difference. Cha, who works at the New York-based legal marketing firm 9Sail, was offered two days of leave—soon to be raised to three—to help new pets settle in at home.

More from Explainers

Is your house heating up and making you miserable? Paint it white How ChatGPT is becoming everyone’s BFF and why that’s dangerous

Speaking to The Washington Post, she said this benefit encouraged her to adopt a mini poodle, Ollie.

“I was like, that is so cool,” Cha shared, adding that the days off were instrumental in quickly potty-training her dog.

Abreu believes this legislation could prevent pet surrenders, and increase pet adoptions while addressing mental health challenges in the city.

“When you take care of your animals, you’re taking care of yourself, too,” he said, citing long dog walks, socialising with other pet owners, and mental health benefits. “Keeping our pets healthy keeps us healthy," he told The New York Times. 

Editor’s Picks

1

In Graphics | The 23 dog breeds that Centre has asked states to ban in India 2

Morocco plans culling 3 million stray dogs ahead of Fifa World Cup, report sparks outrage

He pointed to research that shows that owning a pet can reduce cortisol, a stress-related hormone. Having a dog, for example, can also force people to engage in physical activity, which can in turn have positive effects on depression and social isolation, he said.

Studies cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services have also shown that having animals around you can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost one’s mood.

Data from the American Pet Products Association reveals that roughly two-thirds of American homes report having at least one pet. In 2023, these households collectively spent $147 billion on their pets, covering expenses such as veterinary care and over-the-counter medications.

Also read: How gazing at your dog can help connect your brain with theirs

How will this work?

Councilman Shaun Abreu clarified that the proposed bill would not require additional paid leave for pet owners but would instead extend the city’s existing sick leave policies to include pet care.

Under current laws, companies with more than 100 employees are required to provide up to 56 hours of paid sick leave annually for workers to care for themselves or a sick family member. For businesses with fewer than 100 staff, the requirement is up to 40 hours.

“We’re not giving any additional days,” Abreu explained. “We’re just saying, let’s give individuals the flexibility to use that time as they wish.”

The idea has already gained support from some pet owners. “I think it’s honestly a great idea,” said Andrew O’Shanick, a dog owner from Harlem, speaking to Reuters. “I think pets are super important parts of people’s families. And if something, you know, unfortunately, were to happen to a pet that would require extra care or attention or something, I think it’s important to be able to be there for them.”

However, not everyone is on board. For some employers, the notion of granting paid sick leave for employees’ furry companions might be a step too far.

‘A little too odd’

Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a prominent business group, raised concerns about the financial implications of expanding paid sick leave to include pet care.

“These benefits cost money, and it’s one thing if the employee is sick and can’t come to work; it’s another thing if it’s a discretionary activity,” she told The New York Times. “The concern is that ultimately it creates a pattern of raising the cost of living and doing business in New York because costs are passed along to consumers.”

While Wylde described herself as “a pet-friendly person” with many pets, she emphasised the need to recognise the limitations of what the government can or should mandate.

Even some pet owners questioned the proposal. Dog owner Mieke Vandersall suggested that the city should prioritise addressing broader issues like mental health and housing for shelter animals.

“If we’re really concerned about the stress that we’re under… I think we need to take care of those problems, not just add an animal that actually takes a lot of time and energy,” Vandersall said. “I think it’s a little odd.”

With input from agencies