Smoffy Opinion

Pawternity Leave – Why we deserve time for our furry friends

When a new family member moves in or a beloved treasure departs forever, we need time. Not tomorrow. Not sometime. Now.

Pawternity Leave – never heard of it? You're not alone. I also stumbled upon this term for the first time today. But the more I read about it, the clearer it became: This is a topic we urgently need to discuss.

What does Pawternity Leave mean? The term combines “Paw” and “Paternity / Maternity”. It refers to paid or unpaid leave for employees who need to care for a pet – for acclimatization of a new animal, for vet visits, for caring for a sick animal, or for grieving after a loss. Also known internationally as “Furternity Leave”.

There are moments in life that turn everything upside down. Moments full of joy – like the day a clumsy puppy first tentatively tumbles through the front door. And moments full of pain – like the day we hold our most loyal companion for the last time.

In both cases, we need one thing: time.

And that's exactly what Pawternity Leave is – a concept that is slowly but surely reaching the working world. What might sound like a niche trend has tangible reasons. And more and more companies worldwide are recognizing this.

These companies are leading the way

🏭

Mars Petcare

10 hours paid leave for new pet owners. Flexible working hours for pet-related events.

🍺

BrewDog

A full week of paid leave for dog adoption.

💻

mParticle

Two weeks paid leave for adopting an animal from a shelter.

🐾

Trupanion

Paid bereavement days when a pet dies.

🏨

Kimpton Hotels

Three paid days for the loss of a pet.

91% of employees in pet-friendly companies feel more engaged ¹
11% of companies currently offer paid bereavement leave for pet loss ²
49% of Gen Z would prefer to stay with an employer offering pet benefits ¹

🗽 New York: an important push – for now, unsuccessful

At the end of 2024, City Council Member Shaun Abreu (Manhattan) introduced bill Int. 1089-2024: Employees should be allowed to use their existing paid sick days for the care of sick pets – no additional days, just more flexibility. The bill was referred to the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection but received neither a hearing nor a vote there and expired at the end of 2025 with the end of the session. ³

In parallel, the "Sick Leave for Pet Care Act" (A.791) was introduced at the New York State level – it too remains stuck in the labor committee. ⁴ Despite the failure, these initiatives show that the issue has reached the political agenda. New York is considered a trendsetter in US labor law, and experts expect similar initiatives to follow in other cities.

🇨🇭 The legal situation in Switzerland

There is no legal right to Pawternity Leave in Switzerland. But the legal basis is stronger than many think – it has just never been tested in court.

Since 2003, animals are no longer considered objects according to Art. 641a ZGB. Their ability to feel and suffer is explicitly recognized. The Animal Welfare Act (Art. 4 TSchG) prohibits unjustifiably inflicting pain or suffering on an animal, and the Animal Welfare Ordinance (Art. 3 Abs. 3 TSchV) stipulates that a sick or injured animal must be cared for immediately according to its condition.

This results in a legal duty of care – and this is where it becomes interesting from an employment law perspective: Art. 324a OR guarantees continued salary payment if employees are prevented from working "by fulfilling legal obligations." The Foundation for Animal in Law (TIR) and renowned animal welfare lawyers such as Antoine F. Goetschel argue that the care of an acutely ill animal can fall under this provision – provided that the care cannot be delegated and it is a genuine emergency. ⁵

In practice, however, the issue remains a grey area. No Swiss court has ever ruled on it. Most employers resolve such situations pragmatically through home office, flextime compensation, or unpaid leave.

How societal attitudes are changing is shown by an example from Bern: In 2021, the city council unanimously approved a motion for joint human-animal burials. The implementation – a "Human with Animal" burial ground in the Schosshalden cemetery – is planned for 2026. ⁶

🇩🇪 🇦🇹 And in Germany and Austria?

In Germany, § 90a BGB has clarified since 1990 that animals are not objects, and Art. 20a GG enshrines animal protection as a state objective. Nevertheless, there is no legal right to leave for pet illness or loss. Specialist lawyer Barbara Reinhard (German Lawyers' Association) explains: There is no entitlement to special leave – but in a balancing of interests, animal concerns can outweigh those of the employer if no one else can take over the care. Any time off would typically be unpaid. ⁷

In Austria, § 285a ABGB applies – the oldest "animals are not objects" norm in the DACH region (since 1988). However, there is neither legislation nor formal initiatives for Pet Leave. As an individual example, VMware Austria offers its employees two paid days for pet loss – voluntarily, not legally required. ⁸

· · ·

Why it is so important with a new pet

When a puppy, kitten, or other animal moves into its new home for the first time, everything is unfamiliar. The environment, the smells, the sounds, the people. Everything is new and potentially frightening.

Dogs, in particular, build their bond with humans similarly to human toddlers – this is shown by a study by Solomon et al. (2019), published in the journal Attachment & Human Development. The researchers found that around 61% of the dogs studied showed a secure attachment pattern – comparable to the proportion in toddlers. ⁹ The first days and weeks are crucial for whether an animal can build trust or whether insecurity and fear form the basis.

The American Kennel Club recommends at least five to seven days for a new dog to settle in. During this time, the animal learns its new routines – and most importantly: that it is safe.

Anyone forced to leave the animal alone all day during this sensitive phase risks behavioral problems that are later difficult to correct.

And then there's an aspect that is rarely discussed: dog moms who have just given birth. In the first few weeks, mother and puppies need intensive care. Milk supply must be adequate, puppies must be kept warm and monitored, and the mother needs rest and support. If one cannot be there during this phase, in the worst case, the survival of the newborns is endangered. Here too, Pawternity Leave would not only be desirable but urgently necessary from an animal welfare perspective.

· · ·

When grief strikes – with full force

And then there's the other side. The side that is talked about too little. The side for which there is hardly any space in our society.

The loss.

Personal experience

I am not speaking theoretically here. I know what it feels like to lose your heart dog. I was unable to work for over a month. Constant crying spells that hardly stopped. Severe stomach pains due to psychological stress. Emotionally, I was just a wreck.

I had a massive identity crisis. Even when I looked in the mirror, I didn't really recognize myself anymore. Without him, I wasn't whole. The best part of me was just gone. Who am I even then? – When an animal is so deeply rooted in your daily life, your heart, and your identity, then with it goes not just a companion, but a piece of yourself.

And then come the comments. "It was just an animal." "Just get a new one." Sentences that feel like dagger thrusts. From people who have never experienced such a bond. Who don't understand that an animal is not simply replaceable. That it was an individual, with its own character, its own history, and a very special place in life.

And even after many years, the pain doesn't really subside for me. When I pause and look back, even today, it still tears me apart inside with pain.

What research says

🔬 Scientific findings

A systematic review by Cleary et al. (2022), which analyzed 19 qualitative papers from 17 studies, concluded that grief after the loss of a pet can be equivalent to grief after the loss of a human – with the same emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions. ¹⁰
Researchers describe reactions ranging from numbness and disbelief to clinical depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Those affected report concentration problems, avoidance behavior, and the feeling of having lost their identity. A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (Crawford et al., 2021) showed that the psychological effects on children after pet loss can last for over three years and longer. ¹¹
The concept of “Disenfranchised Grief” accurately describes the problem: society classifies the loss of an animal as less significant, which additionally burdens the grieving. Cordaro (2012) showed that a lack of social recognition not only prolongs grief but intensifies it. ¹²
According to a Pew Research study (2023, n = 5,073), 51% of all US pet owners consider their pet to be an equal family member – on the same level as a human family member. ¹³ In a British RSPCA survey (2025, n = 2,800+), 93% of respondents reported being "heartbroken" after the death of their pet, and 67% were surprised by the intensity of their own grief. ¹⁴
· · ·

Why Pawternity Leave makes sense – for everyone

When employees are grieving and still have to come to work, they are physically present but provide no added value. Studies show that forced functioning after a loss leads to hidden burnout, lack of concentration, and increased errors. Anyone who loses their soul dog and is expected to function the next day is not able to work – no matter how professional they appear.

A short bereavement leave – even just two to three days – can make an enormous difference. Employees can process the initial shock and then return more focused. The recognition of their grief creates psychological safety and trust. And companies that offer such benefits significantly improve their employer branding – especially among Generation Z and Millennials, for whom work-life balance and pet-friendly employers are important criteria when choosing a job.

Pawternity Leave is not a marketing gimmick – but an expression of genuine care policy.

My personal conclusion

Animals are not objects. They are not accessories. They are living beings with feelings, needs, and a personality that enriches our lives like hardly anything else.

When a new furry family member moves in, it deserves a fair chance – the chance to get used to everything with the help of its new human, instead of being left alone from day one. And when a beloved animal passes away, we deserve time to grieve. Real time.

Pawternity Leave is not a luxury. It is a sign of empathy, respect, and the recognition that the bond between humans and animals is something profoundly valuable.

I am clearly an advocate. And I hope that more and more companies – including in Switzerland – will have the courage to take this step.

Because our animals give us unconditional love. The least we owe them is time.

– Melanie from Smoffy 💜

What do you think about Pawternity Leave? Would you like more understanding from your employer? Write to me in the comments – I look forward to your opinion. 💜

Sources

  1. Nationwide / HABRI: Pet-Friendly Workplace Effectiveness Study (2018). Conducted by LRW, n = 2,002 US full-time employees. Industry survey (Nationwide sells pet insurance).
  2. AbsenceSoft: Understanding Pet Bereavement Leave and Its Importance to Today's Workforce (Industry survey, n.d.).
  3. New York City Council: Int. 1089-2024, Sponsor Shaun Abreu. Status: "Filed (End of Session)" as of 31.12.2025.
  4. New York State Assembly: Bill A.791 ("Sick Leave for Pet Care Act"), Sponsor Manny De Los Santos. Status: In labor committee, no movement.
  5. Stiftung Tier im Recht (TIR), Stefanie Frei, cited in 20 Minuten (2017); Goetschel, A. F. / Bolliger, G.: Das Tier im Recht – 99 Facetten der Mensch-Tier-Beziehungen, Zurich 2003. Cf. also NZZ: Rechte und Pflichten (2007).
  6. City of Bern, press release: City Council approves total revision of cemetery legislation (2024). Motion Peter Ammann (GLP), approved 25.03.2021.
  7. Reinhard, B. (specialist lawyer for labor law), cited in Münchner Merkur / herz-fuer-tiere.de (2024).
  8. VMware Austria: Bereavement Leave Benefit Plans. Hr-zellner.at (2025): Pawternity Leave: why animal-friendly benefits are more than a trend.
  9. Solomon, J. et al. (2019): Attachment security in companion dogs. Attachment & Human Development, 21(4), 389–417. DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2018.1517812.
  10. Cleary, M. et al. (2022): Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review. Death Studies, 46(9), 2167–2178. DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1901799.
  11. Crawford, K. M. et al. (2021): The mental health effects of pet death during childhood. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 30(10), 1547–1558. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01594-5.
  12. Cordaro, M. (2012): Pet loss and disenfranchised grief. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 34(4), 283–294. DOI: 10.17744/mehc.34.4.41q0248450t98072.
  13. Brown, A. (2023): About half of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member. Pew Research Center, July 7, 2023, n = 5,073.
  14. RSPCA: Pet Loss Survey Results (2025), n = 2,800+.
  15. Klein, J. (DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer AKC), cited in: American Kennel Club: The Benefits of Taking Pawternity/Furternity Leave (2021).
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