Pet bereavement leave is a workplace policy that grants employees paid or unpaid time off following the death of a pet, allowing them to grieve, handle arrangements, and recover emotionally. It is a relatively new category of leave, emerging in the last decade as employers increasingly recognize that the loss of a companion animal can cause genuine grief that affects work performance.
Unlike bereavement leave for a family member — which is governed by laws such as the FMLA in the U.S. — pet bereavement leave is entirely voluntary. No federal or state law in any country mandates time off for the death of a pet. Companies that offer it do so as a voluntary benefit, signaling that they view employees’ emotional lives as legitimate workplace concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Pet bereavement leave is a voluntary company policy, not a legal requirement in any U.S. state or most countries.
- Most companies that offer it provide 1–5 days of paid leave per incident.
- Companies like Amazon, Mars, and Bissell have publicly adopted pet bereavement policies.
- The debate centers on whether pet grief is equivalent to human bereavement, but the evidence on employee well-being is clear.
- A well-written pet bereavement policy is brief, empathetic, and easy to administer.
What Is Pet Bereavement Leave?
Pet bereavement leave gives employees time off after the death of a pet — most commonly a dog or cat, though some policies extend to any animal considered a member of the household. The leave recognizes that pet loss can trigger real grief, including sadness, anxiety, and disruption to daily functioning.
The concept gained mainstream attention in 2022 when the British insurance company ManyPets (formerly Bought By Many) introduced a formal policy allowing employees three days of paid leave per pet loss. The story went viral, prompting a wave of similar policies at companies across the U.S. and UK.
Since then, a growing number of employers have adopted pet bereavement leave as part of a broader trend toward compassionate and flexible workplace policies. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) noted in 2024 that approximately 5% of U.S. employers now offer some form of pet bereavement leave, up from nearly zero a decade earlier (SHRM, Employee Benefits Survey 2024).
Companies That Offer Pet Bereavement Leave
Several notable companies have publicly adopted pet bereavement policies:
| Company | Leave Provided | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Up to 3 days | Part of broader bereavement policy, applies to household pets |
| Mars | 3 days | Available to all global employees, covers any pet |
| Bissell | Paid time off | Company culture centered on pet ownership, policy is flexible |
| Trupanion | 5 days | Pet insurance company, comprehensive bereavement policy |
| Basepaws | 3 days | Pet health company, part of standard benefits |
| Barrons | Up to 3 days | Financial media company, covers household pets |
| Fressnapf | 3 days | European pet retailer, covers dogs, cats, and small animals |
The common thread: companies with strong pet cultures or pet-adjacent brands tend to lead adoption, but the policy is no longer limited to pet industry employers.
What Pet Bereavement Leave Typically Covers
A standard pet bereavement policy includes:
- Immediate grief. Time off in the days immediately following the pet’s death to process the loss.
- Arrangements. Time to handle burial, cremation, or other end-of-life arrangements for the pet.
- Emotional recovery. Additional days if needed, depending on policy length.
Most policies do not require documentation — you are unlikely to produce a death certificate for a pet. Instead, companies rely on trust and the employee’s own judgment about when they need the time off.
| Scenario | Typical Leave | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death of a household dog or cat | 1–3 days paid | Most common scenario |
| Euthanasia of a sick pet | 2–3 days paid | Often includes pre-euthanasia grief |
| Loss of an exotic or small animal | 1–2 days paid | Varies by policy |
| Multiple pets lost simultaneously | 3–5 days paid | Rare but covered by some policies |
| Rehoming (not death) | Not covered | Policies typically apply to death only |
The Debate Around Pet Bereavement Leave
Pet bereavement leave is not without criticism. The main arguments in the debate include:
Arguments For
- Employee well-being is holistic. Grief is grief. Asking an employee to sit through a meeting the day after their dog dies does not serve anyone’s productivity.
- Low cost, high signal. Pet bereavement leave costs very little in actual work hours, but signals that the company values its employees as whole people.
- Retention and attraction. In competitive labor markets, pet-friendly benefits differentiate employers. A 2023 Mars Petcare survey found that 70% of pet owners would consider changing jobs for better pet-related benefits.
- Precedent exists. Bereavement leave for family members was once unusual. It is now standard. Pet bereavement follows the same trajectory.
Arguments Against
- Equivalence concerns. Critics argue that equating pet loss with human bereavement trivializes the grief of losing a family member.
- Abuse risk. Without documentation requirements, some employees may use the policy to take unplanned time off.
- Administrative complexity. Adding a new leave category requires HR systems updates, policy communication, and manager training.
- Precedent creep. If pet bereavement is covered, what about houseplants, sentimental objects, or other losses?
Most HR experts advise treating the concern on a case-by-case basis. A simple, limited policy (1–3 days, paid, once per year) addresses the core concern without creating administrative burden.
How to Write a Pet Bereavement Policy
If you decide to offer pet bereavement leave, keep the policy brief and clear:
- Define eligibility. Specify that any employee who has been employed for at least [X months] is eligible.
- State the entitlement. Most companies offer 1–3 days of paid leave. Choose a number and stick to it.
- Define “pet.” Clarify whether the policy covers dogs, cats, and other animals. Some policies limit coverage to animals that live in the employee’s household.
- Set a frequency limit. Cap the policy at one instance per year or per 12-month period.
- Require minimal documentation. A verbal or written statement from the employee is sufficient. Do not require proof of death.
- Provide a confidential notification process. The employee should notify their manager or HR as soon as practicable. The reason for the absence should be kept confidential.
Sample Policy Language
Pet Bereavement Leave
[Company] provides up to [X days] of paid leave per year to employees who experience the death of a household pet. This leave is available for immediate use following the pet’s death and is intended for grieving and making end-of-life arrangements. No documentation is required. Employees should notify their manager as soon as practicable. Pet bereavement leave is separate from and does not reduce other leave entitlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pet bereavement leave legally required?
No. There is no federal, state, or local law in the United States that mandates time off for the death of a pet. Bereavement leave laws — such as those in Oregon, Illinois, and Maine — apply only to human family members. Pet bereavement leave is entirely voluntary and at the employer’s discretion.
How many days of pet bereavement leave do most companies offer?
Most companies offer between 1 and 3 days of paid leave for pet bereavement. A small number of companies offer up to 5 days. The most common offering is 3 days, which gives employees enough time to grieve and handle arrangements without creating a significant impact on operations.
Does pet bereavement leave count against PTO?
It depends on your employer’s policy. Some companies treat pet bereavement as a separate leave category that does not reduce your PTO balance. Others require you to use your existing PTO or sick leave. Check your employee handbook or ask HR which approach your company uses.
Can I take pet bereavement leave for an emotional support animal?
This depends on your employer’s specific policy. If your company’s pet bereavement policy covers “household pets,” an emotional support animal that lives in your home would likely qualify. Service animals are different — their loss may also be covered under disability-related accommodations. Check your policy and discuss with HR.
What if I need more than the allotted days?
If you need additional time beyond your pet bereavement leave, you can request unpaid leave, use accrued PTO, or discuss a flexible schedule with your manager. Some companies also allow employees to use personal days or floating holidays for extended grief.
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