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Pet Owners in New York City could soon be eligible to use their paid sick leave to care for their pets thanks to a new bill to change the city’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA). Known as Introduction 1089, the new law would let workers use their earned sick leave for their beloved pet’s needs, like vet visits or other pet care emergencies.
Supporters of the bill say it benefits pets and boosts the mental health of NYC’s pet-loving workforce. With more people seeing their pets as family than ever before, supporters say the bill will bring much-needed support for pet parents by enabling them to balance work and pet care.
Exclusive Insights: Why Does Pet Sick Leave Matter? (H2)
Alex Douzet, CEO of Pumpkin Pet Insurance, is a passionate advocate for pets and their owners. He has worked tirelessly to bring pet parents programs like Pumpkin Wellness Club, which helps them take better care of their pets while saving money. He also founded Ollie Pets, a company that provides fresh, personalized pet food delivered directly to your home. Note that Pumpkin’s new wellness plan is separate from its pet insurance plans, providing additional care options for pet owners.
In an exclusive interview with Sidewalk Dog, Douzet shared his insights on how Introduction 1089 could reshape the workplace for pet owners throughout NYC. We discussed the bill’s potential impact on pet care and employee mental health and explored other ways employers can support employees who are also devoted pet parents.
Q1: What inspired you to support this bill, and how do you see it impacting the bond between pet owners and their animals? (H3)
A: “This bill will greatly impact both pets and pet owners. Access to routine and preventive pet care is becoming an essential part of supporting today’s workforce, not just as a perk, but as a necessity for pet parents.
In fact, eight in 10 working pet owners prioritize giving their pets the best life possible and aren’t afraid to sacrifice a promotion (16%) or job security (14%).
We are seeing more and more people, particularly Gen Z, opting to have pets over children. Companies allow employees to take time off to care for human children, and it should be no different for those with fur children.”
Q2: What do you think are the most significant benefits of allowing pet owners to use sick leave for their pets? (H3)
A: “Allowing pet owners to use sick leave for their pets can help save them time, money, and improve their pet’s longevity and quality of life.
Emergency vet and urgent care costs can cause a significant financial strain on working pet owners. In fact, 91% of pet owners have endured some level of financial stress because of pet care costs. Routine vet visits can help prevent serious illnesses and injuries that require critical care – saving both money and pets’ lives.
Additionally, there is a growing appreciation for companies that are pet-forward and value pets as much as their employees do. In fact, 83% of employees feel more loyal to pet-friendly companies that recognize the importance of pets and consider their well-being vital to corporate culture.
In addition to vet visits, workplaces should consider permitting flexible schedules that allow for pet daycare pickup/dropoff, walking or exercising pets, bringing home a new pet, or when coping with the loss of a pet. Allowing employees to bring pets to the office can also help support people who don’t want to leave an animal home alone all day, or who may not have the means to afford a pet-sitter or dog walker.
Just as companies assist employees with the cost of health insurance, life insurance, legal aid, etc., offering pet insurance is another great way to help employees take care of their families. Some pet insurance providers like Pumpkin even offer corporate discounts to businesses, making it easier to save on crucial accident & illness coverage for your pet.”
Q3: Are there concerns about the potential burden this bill could place on small businesses, and how do you believe those concerns can be addressed? (H3)
A: “NYC’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act already accounts for the potential burden on small businesses. While companies with 100 or more employees must guarantee their workers up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year, workers at smaller businesses are entitled to just 40 hours of paid sick leave in comparison. This is meant to reduce the cost burden of paid sick leave for small business owners, and allowing employees to use paid sick time to care for their pets is unlikely to change the bottom line.”
Q4: How do you envision the role of community organizations in supporting this bill and educating pet owners about their rights? (H3)
A: “Responses from NYC-based pet owners and pet-forward groups have been overwhelmingly supportive of the proposed pet leave policy. Those of us with fur children at home can attest to the mental health benefits of owning a pet, and this proposal will make it easier to own or foster pets by reducing the unnecessary stress of finding time for a vet visit.
While many national organizations that promote pet adoption and the welfare of animals have voiced support for the bill, it is ultimately the employer’s responsibility to educate their employees about company benefits. Just like workers are informed about changes to their health insurance coverage, they should receive clear notice about updates to their paid sick leave policy and what that means for pet owners.”
Q5: Looking forward, do you believe this legislation could influence similar policies in other cities or states? (H3)
A: “We hope so! New York State’s paid sick time law is based on NYC’s ESSTA, so it’s possible that this proposal could prompt an amendment to state legislation — if it’s passed. Of course, the pet leave bill is still under consideration, but it’s not uncommon for NY State to follow in NYC’s progressive footsteps.
What’s more, NYC is not the first city to propose legislation expanding paid sick leave coverage to include four-legged family members. In Emeryville, California, people can use their paid sick leave to care for their own service dog or guide dog, or for service dogs belonging to close relatives. This law only applies to registered service animals, while NYC’s proposal would expand paid sick leave for all pet owners.
Companies that have locations in NYC and elsewhere may also consider extending the proposed pet leave policy to employees working in other cities or states. It’s not uncommon for businesses to show their love of animals with pet-friendly offices or Take Your Dog to Work Day, but some companies have gone above and beyond in recent years. At least two companies based in the US (mParticle in NYC and Nina Hale in Minneapolis, per the New York Times) have implemented “paw-ternity” leave or flexible work-from-home policies for new pet parents, while others (like Pumpkin) offer free pet insurance as an employee benefit.
A Paws-itive Step Toward Better Care for Pets (H2)
As NYC’s pet leave bill moves forward, it could change how pet owners balance work and caring for their pets. If passed, the law would help workers take better care of their pets without the fear of losing pay or job security. With support from pet care experts like Alex Douzet and pet-loving communities, this bill could set an example for other cities, making workplaces more welcoming for pet parents throughout the U.S.
