When our beloved dog, cat, or horse is suffering, we feel the impact. We empathize with the sick four-legged friend, may need to take them to the vet, and simply want to be there for them. In this case, can I take a day off work? Am I entitled to special leave? Or can my boss demand that I come to work despite having a sick pet? Let’s clarify!
Special Leave for a Sick Pet?
Mothers and fathers are familiar with situations like these: Yesterday evening, the child was perfectly healthy; the next morning, they lie in bed, pale, shaken by stomach cramps and fever. Going to work with a sick child? Hardly! Especially now, someone must take care of the ailing little one – and as the saying goes, health comes first!
Therefore, working mothers and fathers are entitled to 30 days of sick child leave per year each – for single parents, it’s 60 days. But does this apply to dog moms or dads and to horse or cat owners when their animal companions are unwell? Or, to put it differently:
What You Can Do as an Employee When Your Pet is Sick
As mentioned, you cannot demand a day off from your boss if you have a sick furry patient at home. However, you are aware that your four-legged friend, much like a human, feels pain and needs support, care, and perhaps medication. For the sake of animal welfare alone, you cannot abandon your companion.
But how should you handle this situation correctly? We’d like to explain this using a small example. Imagine the following scenario:
Like every morning, you wake up at the usual time. Normally, your three-year-old Golden Retriever male, Piet, greets you at the edge of the bed with a joyful wag of his tail and briskly heads to the apartment door. With this, he usually signals, “Off to the morning walk.”
But today is different. Piet lies apathetically in his dog bed and shows no signs of getting up. You gently stroke his fluffy head, which feels strangely warm. When he also rejects the treat he usually eagerly scents from a distance, you realize that something is wrong with Piet. The usually lively dog is evidently sick.
In this case, what can you do to do right by your sick pet and, at the same time, avoid trouble at work?
Weigh the Situation and Inform Your Boss
Even if your dog seems to have a fever, it’s crucial for you to keep a cool head.
How serious is the situation really? Perhaps your dog is just a bit tired and overheated because he exerted himself while playing with his dog friends the day before, or there’s another harmless reason behind it. You know your pet best and will quickly assess whether the unusual lethargy and altered behavior are benign or suggest a genuine illness.
If your dog is genuinely feverish, not eating, and unwilling to get up, you should definitely take him to the vet so they can determine the cause and treat him appropriately. In this case, a dog health insurance policy covers the incurred veterinary costs.
For cats or horses with similar symptoms, the recommendation to consult a veterinarian applies just as much. In these cases, having an appropriate cat health insurance or horse health insurance pays off.
Inform your employer as soon as possible that your pet is experiencing severe issues, and you are deeply concerned. Let them know that you are taking your sick pet to the vet and will contact them immediately afterward. This demonstrates that you are acting responsibly and thoughtfully, both regarding your job and your pet.
What happens next depends on the diagnosis provided by the vet. If it’s just an acute and harmless infection that will quickly pass with some rest and perhaps medication, then one or two days off may be sufficient to care for your ailing pet at home. A understanding boss might grant you unpaid leave for this short period—keep in mind that you may need to make up for the missed hours later.
Legal Note:
Do pet owners have the right to pet sick leave?
Unfortunately, the law does not provide for such a regulation when animals fall ill. The reason is that, legally speaking, cats, dogs, and the like are not considered family members, even though owners may feel differently. Fortunately, there are other ways to handle the situation.
Is there a pet caretaker who can step in?
An optimal solution for your employer and you in the case of your pet’s illness is a reliable and flexible caregiver. Perhaps someone in your family or close circle of friends is familiar with your pet and can spontaneously take on the role of caring for your animal patient at your home. This way, you would know that your ailing companion is in good hands while you are at work.
Bringing the Pet to Work or Working from Home
There might be a chance to temporarily move your work to your home. This way, you could balance your daily tasks and the care of your sick pet. If your job allows for it, feel free to ask your supervisor about this possibility—it shows initiative and commitment!
Alternatively, could it be an option to bring your lethargic pet to work? Excluding horses, which might pose size-related challenges. Apart from the approval of the employer and colleagues, the decision about whether your cat or dog can come to work also depends on the health condition of your animal patient. If it’s too unwell, subjecting it to hours in an unfamiliar environment might not be advisable.
If the Pet Requires Ongoing Care
But what if your pet is truly seriously ill and requires long-term care and assistance?
In this case, we recommend initiating a direct conversation with your supervisor. An open dialogue is the best way to find a solution that works for both parties.
Perhaps there is a possibility for you to bring your pet to the office—assuming the staff agrees and your pet’s health allows it. In this case, a home office arrangement could also be considered, allowing you to work diligently while being there for your care-dependent pet.
When the Pet Passes Away
This is also part of pet ownership, and it’s probably the saddest and most difficult scenario you can imagine: Your beloved’s last days have arrived, and the vet can do nothing more than, perhaps, alleviate pain.
You often notice a sudden change in your pet’s behavior when its life is coming to an end. Many cats, dogs, and other animals sense it themselves. Some become restless, others hide under the couch or retreat to a secluded corner. The thought of having to leave your loyal companion alone in its last days and hours is excruciating.
For the sake of your pet and yourself, listen to your heart and accompany your pet on its final journey. For most animals, having their human by their side until the end is incredibly comforting. They feel protected, loved, become calmer, and more relaxed.
Do you now have a right to leave or even special leave? Even though it may seem inhumane, from a legal standpoint, the answer is no. According to the law, you cannot simply stay away from work when your pet dies. However, in a workplace that values good relationships and where compassion is not a foreign concept, you will likely be given the opportunity to be there for your pet in its last hours.
As you already know, being open about the situation and talking about it can indeed meet with understanding. And isn’t it comforting, in such a difficult situation as saying goodbye to a beloved pet, to receive sympathy and support from your workplace?
For those who have already experienced saying goodbye to a pet and have difficulty coping with grief, and for those facing this challenging step, we have compiled some additional helpful information.
Was this article helpful for you? Please share your thoughts with us and leave a comment below!
