With Take Your Dog to Work Day approaching on 21 June, Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) is launching its ‘Pets in Business’ program, aimed at helping employers create pet-friendly workplaces.

This initiative is part of a growing trend among companies to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity by allowing pets in the office. 

“Now more than ever, pets are an integral part of our lives,” says Trish Ennis, CEO of CANA, “with many companies continuing to have employees split their working week between home and the office, it's no surprising people want to bring their pets to the workplace too.” 

Recent studies highlight the benefits of pet-friendly workplaces, showing that such policies can significantly reduce stress and improve employee retention. For instance, 90% of employees feel a stronger bond with their employer when pet-friendly benefits are offered. Additionally, 85% of Australian dog owners indicated that they would go into the office more frequently if they could bring their pets. 

“Employee satisfaction and morale are top-of-mind for most HR leaders, and pet inclusive policies can help,” says  Trish Ennis. 

This sentiment is echoed by research showing that 63% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces report being ‘very satisfied’ with their work environment, nearly double the satisfaction rate in non-pet-friendly workplaces. 



The initiative provides free resources like pet resumes, workplace posters, and office pet rosters to help employers set up pet-friendly environments. For a donation, employers can receive a branded kid tailored to their needs, with proceeds to support CAN’s welfare initiatives.

For tips to make your office pet friendly, please visit https://australiacan.org.au/can-your-office-be-pet-friendly