Leaving for work each morning is tough if you’re walking away from the furry friends who depend on you.

While it’s often necessary to leave your pets behind (it may not be a great idea to have a puppy in an operating room), some jobs allow for employees to bring their pets to work, which has a positive effect on the employee.

Purina, the pet food company, allows pets in their offices and compiled a report about the impact of a pet-friendly office on employees across the country.

The survey asked people who work both in pet-friendly and not pet-friendly offices. According to the survey, being allowed to bring a pet to work is ranked the second highest work perk, over parking and free coffee.

Having a pet around also boosts employee morale. The report shows 80 percent of employees in pet-friendly workplaces say having pets nearby while they work make them feel “happy, relaxed and sociable.”

Pets in the office also contributes to positive work environments. The study shows 63 percent of people working in pet-friendly offices as “very satisfied” with their work environment, which is double the amount of people who say the same and work in offices where pets are persona non grata.

Right now, it’s most common for small businesses and tech companies to allow pets. Employees at companies with pet-friendly policies actively utilize the policy with the study showing half of dog owners bringing their pups to work at least once a week. While 20 percent of employees in pet-friendly offices bring their dog every day, 19 percent bring their cat.

Allowing animals at work is also a sneaky recruiting tool. Of those who already work in pet-friendly environments, 63 percent of survey respondents say a pet-friendly office would make them more keen on a new job.

Once an employee works in a pet-friendly office, it quickly becomes a desired trait for future jobs. Sixty-five percent of those already taking a pet to work say it is important an employer allows animals. For those who can’t bring their pets to work, 1 in 3 say the wish they could bring their furry friends into the office. Taking it further, 3 in 5 who would enjoy a pet-friendly office say they would initiate efforts to make that hope a reality.

Instant Insights /

Survey shows pet-friendly offices should be the norm

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