Brits admit taking time off for new pets

With the world focusing on changes to parental leave in recent months, it would appear some Brits have other things on their minds. More than two in five employees admit to taking time off work to look after new pets.

It’s a new trend the media is branding ‘pet-ernity leave’ and according to online pet community Pawshake, who commissioned the survey, nearly half of those polled said they’ve taken a sick day to care for a poorly pet in an emergency.

Four out of five Brits would consider asking or have asked their employers for more flexible working arrangements to give them more time to spend with their animals. Nearly a quarter said they would change jobs for more favourable terms if they thought it would benefit their pet’s welfare.

Proving the UK is a nation of animal lovers, two in five of those surveyed said they think about their pet more often than their partner during the day, while three in five believe their social life has suffered because they’re no longer spontaneous about going out with friends.

According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, there are an estimated 53 million pets in the UK, with a quarter of all households owning a dog and 17% keeping a cat.

Read the original article by the Daily Mail at dailym.ai/25cJy3s