Should You Get Time Off When Your Dog Is Sick?
A New York Bill Says Yes
Sick Leave For Pet Parents?
For millions of Americans, pets are family. A new bill in New York suggests workplaces should recognize that reality.
The Sick Leave for Pet Care Act (NYS A791) would allow employees to use sick leave or bereavement leave to care for an ailing pet or mourn the loss of one. The proposal, introduced in the New York State Assembly by Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, has already sparked a national discussion.
For anyone who has rushed a dog to the vet or sat beside a beloved companion during their final days, the idea feels both simple and overdue.
A Memory of Blondie
Years ago, after my dog Blondie received her annual vaccinations, she seemed a bit off. It was early morning, and I still needed to go to work, but I was worried. Usually Blondie followed me from room to room as I got ready for the day, but that morning she stayed curled up in her bed and didn’t even lift her head when I walked by. I remember kneeling beside her and touching her head, trying to decide if I was overreacting or if something was really wrong. Anyone who lives with a dog knows how quickly you notice when something feels off.
The veterinarian explained that mild reactions like fatigue, soreness at the injection site, or temporary loss of appetite can sometimes occur after vaccinations and advised me to monitor her closely for the rest of the day.
At the time, I was working at a public relations firm. I asked my boss if I could bring Blondie to the office. Thankfully, he said yes.
It probably helped that one of my clients was Waltham Pet Food, part of Mars Petcare. After she recovered from her vaccination scare, Blondie even joined me for a meeting at Mars headquarters. She sat quietly beside my chair during the discussion, occasionally looking up at the table as if she knew the conversation was about dogs. Since she was already a senior dog, the executives were curious about how the guardians of older dogs respond to certain foods and ingredients. They asked about her appetite and offered Blondie a few treats, which she accepted happily, completely unaware she might be contributing to a conversation about the future of senior dog nutrition.
I like to think Blondie and I played a small role in shaping the future of senior dog nutrition that day.
Whether we influenced anything or not, that moment stayed with me. It showed me how powerful it can be when a workplace understands that animals are part of our lives, not separate from them.
What the New York Pet Leave Bill Would Do
The Sick Leave for Pet Care Act would allow employees to use existing leave to care for a sick pet or to grieve after the loss of one.
If passed, it would amend labor law so employees could use certain types of leave for pet care. Supporters believe the change would bring workplace policies more in line with how people actually live today.
And if New York adopts the policy, it could encourage other states to follow.
Why Pet Leave Is Becoming a Real Conversation
The numbers tell the story.
According to a Pew Research Center study, about 62 percent of Americans own a pet, and more than half of those owners say their animals are just as much a part of their family as human relatives.
At the same time, veterinary medicine has advanced dramatically. Pets are living longer and receiving more complex medical care. When a dog becomes seriously ill, guardians often juggle veterinary visits, medications, and difficult decisions while trying to function normally at work.
When a beloved dog dies, many people return to work immediately even though the emotional impact can be significant.
Supporters of policies like the Sick Leave for Pet Care Act argue that allowing workers time to care for their pets can benefit both employees and employers. When someone is worried about a sick animal or grieving a loss, concentration at work naturally suffers.
Giving people space to handle personal responsibilities can help them return more focused and emotionally steady.
A Cultural Shift That Has Been Building for Years
Looking back, Blondie might have been my first hint of how meaningful this issue would become in my life. In many ways, she was the beginning of a long line of dogs who would shape my life, eventually leading to the therapy dogs I share my days with now, Seven and Paige Turner.
That experience led me to make a choice many dog lovers will relate to. I structured my work around my life instead of the other way around, so I could spend more time with my dogs. That decision eventually led me to become a full-time writer.
Since then, I have written two books, with a third on the way, exploring the strong bond between people and their dogs and the role animals play in emotional healing.
That human-animal bond connection explains why this legislation is gaining attention.
When a dog gets sick, their human isn’t just concerned about a pet. They worry about a companion who shares their routines, their home, their heart, and often their most vulnerable moments.
Anyone who has rushed a dog to the emergency vet in the middle of the night understands this.
What Happens Next
New York is now leading the conversation about whether pet leave should become part of modern workplace policy.
Whether the bill ultimately passes or not, the discussion itself reflects how much attitudes toward animals have changed.
For decades, workplaces treated pets as an afterthought in employees’ lives. Yet for millions of people, animals are woven into the fabric of daily life.
When our pets need care, their people want the chance to be there.
Anyone who has loved a dog understands this. Dogs show up for us every day with loyalty and love. When they need care, most of us feel the same responsibility to be there for them.
If this idea resonates with you, please consider restacking this story so more people can hear about the effort to recognize pets as family.
And I would love to hear from you. Dog lovers always seem to have a story about a moment when work and their love for a pet collided.
Do you believe employees should be able to take leave to care for a sick pet or grieve the loss of one? Have you ever worked for an employer who supported your love of your dog?
BlissDog by Susan Hartzler is a reader-supported publication exploring the wisdom of dogs and the ways they help humans heal.
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Life is better with dogs.
Seven and Paige Turner are proof.
I was the employer who let people take time off for pet care or loss. I’ve advocated for this kind of policy for decades. It’s about time! Praying it gets passed and other states follow suit.
Oh my gosh! My cousin worked for Mars Corp for many years!!!