Pawternity Leave: 6 Major Companies Offering Pet Benefits

The days of leaving your pet at home and hoping for the best when you bring a new dog or cat into your life are starting to shift — at least for employees at certain forward-thinking companies. "Pawternity leave," a form of paid time off for welcoming or grieving a pet, has quietly become one of the most talked-about emerging employee benefits. According to Flexa Careers¹, between 6 and 8 percent of job candidates now actively seek out roles that include pawternity leave — and 31.4% of employees¹ say they'd be more inclined to adopt pets if their employer offered flexible policies to support them.

What Is Pawternity Leave?

Pawternity leave is employer-provided paid or unpaid time off that allows employees to adjust to life with a new pet, handle the logistics of bringing one home, or take time to grieve after a pet passes away. The term plays on "paternity leave" — and while it's not yet common, its popularity is growing alongside the rise of pet ownership in the United States.

Pet benefits can take several forms:

The six companies below offer some of the most notable pet benefit programs in the workforce today.

6 Companies Offering Pet Benefits

1. Mars, Inc.

Mars is one of the world's largest consumer goods companies — and the owner of major pet care brands including Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, and the Banfield Pet Hospital chain. It's no surprise, then, that Mars has built robust pet benefits into its employee offerings. Employees who welcome a new pet can take up to a full week of paid pawternity leave, with the option to bring their new companion to the office after an initial adjustment period. Mars's pet-friendly culture extends beyond leave policies, with pet-inclusive offices at several locations.

2. Rover

As a company built around connecting pet parents with dog walkers, sitters, and boarding services, Rover walks the walk when it comes to pet benefits. Rover employees receive paid bereavement leave when a pet passes away — because the company recognizes that the loss of a pet is a genuine grief event, not just an inconvenience. The company's offices typically host dozens of dogs on any given workday, creating a genuinely pet-inclusive work environment. Rover also offers a generous fostering stipend for employees who foster dogs or cats through rescue organizations.

3. BrewDog

The Scottish craft brewery BrewDog made international headlines when it introduced pawternity leave back in 2017 — making it one of the earliest adopters of the benefit. Employees who bring home a new puppy or adult dog can take one week of paid leave to settle their new companion in. BrewDog's policy was among the first to formalize the idea that pet adoption — like the arrival of a child — is a life event that deserves dedicated transition time. The benefit applies to adopted dogs of any age, not just puppies.

4. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Kimpton is one of America's most pet-welcoming hotel brands, and that ethos extends to how it treats the pets in employees' lives. The San Francisco–based hotel chain offers paid bereavement leave for employees who lose a pet — acknowledging that the grief of losing a companion animal is real and deserves space. Kimpton's commitment to pets isn't just internal: it's embedded in their brand, with most Kimpton properties welcoming guests' pets with no size restrictions or breed exclusions, and some locations offering pet amenities.

5. mParticle

Among tech companies, mParticle stands out for having one of the most substantial pawternity leave policies. Employees who adopt an animal from a shelter — as opposed to purchasing from a breeder — receive up to two weeks of paid leave to help the animal acclimate to their home. The policy is designed to encourage rescue and shelter adoption while giving employees the time needed to properly transition a new pet, which is especially important for adult animals adjusting to a new environment.

6. Salesforce

Salesforce doesn't offer traditional pawternity leave, but its commitment to pet-inclusive workplaces is embedded in its "Puppyforce" program. At major Salesforce offices, employees can bring registered dogs to work — each dog receives a photo ID badge and is integrated into the office community through a structured registration and onboarding process. The Puppyforce program reflects Salesforce's broader wellness culture and signals that pets are considered part of the employee experience, not a distraction.

Why Pet Benefits Are on the Rise

Younger workers — particularly Gen Z and Millennials — are among the most engaged pet parents in the workforce. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association², the pet insurance industry has grown consistently over the past several years, reflecting a broader increase in how much pet parents invest in their animals' health and welfare. Companies that offer meaningful pet benefits signal that they understand what matters to this segment of employees.

Pet benefits also carry low direct cost for employers. Unlike parental leave, which requires coverage and often involves complex logistics, a few days of pet bereavement leave or a pet-friendly office policy adds relatively little overhead while contributing measurably to employee satisfaction and retention.

For pet parents considering what to prioritize in their benefits package, pet insurance through an employer — where group rates often make coverage more affordable — is a natural complement to pawternity leave. For more on whether pet insurance is right for your situation, see is pet insurance worth it and the biggest benefits of pet insurance.

If you've just welcomed a new pet — whether through your employer's pawternity leave or on your own — timing your pet insurance enrollment early matters. For guidance, see the best age to insure your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pawternity leave paid or unpaid?

It varies by company. Most employers who offer it provide paid leave — typically one to five days for new pet arrival or bereavement. More generous policies, like mParticle's two-week shelter adoption leave, are still uncommon. As the benefit becomes more mainstream, the expectation is shifting toward paid leave as the standard.

Can I get pet insurance through my employer?

Yes, increasingly so. Many employers now offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit — meaning employees can opt in and typically pay for it through payroll deductions, often at a group rate lower than retail. If your employer doesn't offer it, individual pet insurance plans are widely available. See pet insurance with preventive care add-ons for a look at what broad coverage can include.

What's the difference between pawternity leave and pet bereavement leave?

Pawternity leave is time off for welcoming a new pet — handling the arrival, setup, and initial adjustment. Pet bereavement leave is time off following a pet's death, recognizing that grief over a companion animal is legitimate and affects productivity and wellbeing. Some employers offer both; others offer only one. Bereavement leave tends to be more common than pawternity leave at this stage of adoption.

Added benefits and everyday support can help make a pet insurance plan feel even more valuable. Beyond emergency coverage, features that help support pet parent peace of mind can make a real difference.

With Spot Pet Insurance, every plan includes 24/7 pet telehealth access and microchip implantation coverage. Spot also offers a Spot Perks program, giving pet parents access to up to $2,500 in discounts on popular pet brands.* Enroll your pet today.

_{*No purchase necessary. Based on total combined Spot Perks discounts applied to avg. vendor cart value. See spotpet.com/perks-terms.}