The Times Australia
Business and Money

Workplaces under pressure to introduce compassionate leave for pets


Did you know that there are more pets than humans in Australia? There are almost 29 million pets in Australia today - more than the estimated human population of 25 million.

From cats and dogs to fishes and lizards, almost two-thirds of the entire country own a pet.

In light of growing pet ownership in Australia, the value we place on our pets is also increasing, with new research from not-for-profit organisation, Waldo’s Friends revealing that nearly half (45%) of Aussie pet owners consider their pet to be their child.

Despite the importance of our pets, there is still a gap in the workforce when it comes to recognising how important pets are to employees.

Research reveals that the majority (83%) of Aussies feel their workplaces would not allow them to take time off if their pets were unwell or had passed away.

Currently, compassionate leave only applies to immediate family members such as grandparents who have passed away or a child who is unwell. But what happens when a pet is in that situation?

Unfortunately for pet owners, the definition of immediate family member or a member of the household does not include pets.

The majority (81%) of pet owners want greater flexibility in the workplace when it comes to caring for their pets and they believe that businesses should have policies or schemes in place to reflect that.

Almost one third (31%) of pet parents believe that a lack of pet-friendly workplace policies is outdated, archaic and needs to be changed.

The research highlights the need for workplaces to reconsider their compassionate leave policies to include their employees’ nearest and dearest furry family members. It could even have a positive impact on employee satisfaction, retention and attraction.

Some workplaces in Australia are jumping ahead of the trend and have started introducing leave policies that would have been unheard of a few years ago.

Catering to the boom in pet ownership, there are now workplace policies in place to better support employees in cases of adoption, bereavement or veterinary support for their pets.

Brisbane pet owner, Chelsea experienced this first-hand when Darcy, their childhood dog of 13 years passed away. He was a big part of the family and when he passed away, Chelsea’s workplace allowed them to have a day off to be with Darcy for his last day.

Chelsea and their family felt supported in their grief as they had the opportunity to spend their last few moments together – a memory that many employees are missing out on.

Instead of diminishing our pets, Waldo’s Friends is calling for employers to consider ways to support their employees through pet-friendly policies and recognise the role that pets play in their employees’ lives.

About Waldo’s Friends

Founded in 2018, Waldo's Friends is a not-for-profit organisation designed to drive awareness about the animal rescue and adoption ecosystem. They currently work toward raising awareness and education of animal foster care and adoption and are soon releasing a pet finder engine that will help local animal shelters find forever homes for their rescues. https://waldosfriends.org/

About the Research & Citations

The research by Waldo's Friends was carried out on a national representative sample of 1,008 Australians aged 18 and over in October 2022. Methodology: The data sample was weighted against ABS data for age, gender and location using an online survey that is independently conducted and verified by PureProfile.

  1. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/smart/petculture-petition-demands-workplace-leave-entitlements-for-pet-owners/news-story/744bd240105cd6ade58eb68cea2d5d13

Business Times

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping…

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them...

Nail it with points: Flybuys members can redeem points for instan…

Flybuys launches new in-store redemption at Bunnings stores across Australia Tuesday 19 August, 2025 – Flybuys, Australia’s ...

Understanding Energy Use Patterns by Season

Australia’s climate changes noticeably across the year. These seasonal changes don’t just affect what we wear or how we trave...

The Times Features

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...

What Makes a Small Group Tour of Italy So Memorable?

Traveling to Italy is on almost every bucket list. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling canals of Venice, the country is filled with sights, flavors, and experiences ...

Latest data suggests Australia is overcoming its sugar addiction

Australia is now meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines[1] on sugar, which recommend keeping sugar below 10% of daily energy intake. New data[2] published ...

Do you really need a dental check-up and clean every 6 months?

Just over half of Australian adults[1] saw a dental practitioner in the past 12 months, most commonly for a check-up[2]. But have you been told you should get a check-up and c...