More than half of your workforce are pet parents, which makes National Pet Day an incredible opportunity to unite employees over their love of pets.
It’s pivotal for employers to not only recognize “the fluff” of being a pet-inclusive organization, but the immense advantages of embracing meaningful employer-sponsored pet-friendly benefits in the workplace. Pet benefits aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re a strategic way to support employees across generations. When integrated into a broader family benefits strategy, they can boost engagement, improve retention, and meaningfully support the well-being of working pet parents at every stage of life.
From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, the love for pets transcends generations, making employer-sponsored pet benefits an appealing consideration for your entire workforce.
Research from finance giant Morgan Stanley underscores this trend revealing that 65% of individuals aged 18-34 plan to acquire or add a pet within the next five years, predicting that pet ownership will continue to soar to over 80% by 2030. This projection suggests that nearly everyone in your workforce will soon be a pet owner, if they aren’t already.
With pet ownership rising, investing in pet benefits is not just a nod to current needs but a strategic investment in the well-being of your future workforce as well.
At Airvet we know taking care of pets is really taking care of people. Pet ownership has tangible benefits for both physical and mental health, making it a powerful tool for supporting your workforce. According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pet ownership collectively saves the U.S. healthcare system an impressive $22.7 billion annually. This statistic highlights the broader societal impact of pets, but it’s particularly relevant to businesses looking to support the health and overall wellness of their employees.
One of the key health benefits of pet ownership is the reduction in doctor visits. On average, pet owners are estimated to visit their doctors less frequently than non-pet owners, leading to a savings of around $15 billion in healthcare costs. By encouraging pet benefits for employees, you’re not just helping them take care of their furry companions—you’re also reducing absenteeism and fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
As businesses continue to explore innovative ways to improve employee wellness, integrating pet benefits into your total rewards strategy is a win-win. Not only does it support the health of your workforce, but it also fosters an environment where employees feel valued and supported, resulting in higher engagement and retention.
Pet ownership offers a multitude of advantages that extend far beyond companionship. Studies have shown that pets significantly influence the emotional and mental well-being or their pet parents (likely your employees). A notable 87% of pet owners attest to an improvement in their emotional health since welcoming a pet into their lives. This improvement is something employers can further support through pet-friendly policies, such as flexible schedules and working arrangements, pet bereavement leave, and other pet-inclusive policies. These policies not only acknowledge the critical role pets play in our lives, but also demonstrate a company’s commitment to supporting their employees’ overall well-being.
When pet parents lack easy access to preventive care, minor health issues can escalate into emergencies. This results in costly vet bills, added stress, and more time away from work. At Airvet, we’re tackling this challenge head-on by making proactive, high-quality care more accessible than ever.
We’ve continued to expand our network to include specialists in behavior, nutrition, and life-stage care, allowing employees to connect directly with experts, without the burden of cost or travel. Recently, we introduced the Pet Health Assessment: a veterinarian-reviewed, self-guided tool designed to help pet parents catch early signs of health issues, receive personalized, veterinarian-backed recommendations, and better understand key indicators of their pet’s well-being.
Our recent funding will allow us to continue to invest in accessible, preventive care. We believe that empowering pet parents with the right tools and guidance leads to healthier pets and fewer emergencies. By making preventive care simpler and more accessible, Airvet helps employees stay ahead of health issues—reducing unexpected costs, minimizing time off, and supporting a happier, healthier life for pets and their people.
The statistics speak volumes: pets are more than just companions, they are part of modern families. Studies repeatedly show that pets are integral to the emotional and mental well-being of their pet parents – both younger persons and more senior alike. As the workforce evolves, so too should the benefits offered by employers. By embracing pet benefits, and particularly pet telehealth, companies can meet the needs of their diverse workforce – some of which span five generations.
Respecting the relationship that working pet parents have with their pets can also significantly impact employee satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace. This National Pet Day, let’s move towards the integration of meaningful pet benefits in the workplace. After all, in a world where the love for pets is a common thread that binds us all, offering pet benefits is not just a “nice-to-have;” it’s a strategic imperative for top companies.
