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The Growing Importance of Pets in Families
It’s clear pets offer unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship, enriching lives across all ages and many companies are starting to recognize this strong bond. Forward-thinking organizations are even expanding relocation policies to better support employees and their companions.
Not convinced? Consider these furry facts:
- 97% of pet owners consider their pets family (Pew Research) and 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet (NAR).
- 57% of women owners say their pets are just as much a part of their family as a human member, compared with 43% of men who own pets. 64% of pet owners with lower family incomes consider their pets as much a part of their family as a human member, compared with 46% of those with middle incomes (46%) and higher incomes (43%) (Pew Research).
- Pet owners spent, on average, $4,800 on their animals in 2023 with no plans on cutting back (Bankrate), and the North American pet insurance industry had a record-setting $4.27 billion in total premiums sold in 2023 – a 21.9% increase from 2022 (NAPHIA).
Let’s examine why employers should consider putting pets in policy.
Supporting Pet Owners Matters
A recent SHRM article, “Want to Be an Inclusive Workplace? Don’t Neglect Pet Parents”, highlights employers that have made strides on parental benefits and other family resources recently. Organizations that provide pet-owning employees support reap the benefits, said Cerys Goodall, COO of Vetster, in the article. “More workers are pet parents, and it’s important to them.”
Support can include pet-friendly offices, pet insurance, remote work, time off for vet visits, pet bereavement, and even “pawternity leave” - paid leave to care for a new pet. Surveys underscore the strong connection between employees and their pets:
- Retention: 32% of pet owners in a Nationwide survey said they’d stay longer at a company offering pet benefits. This sentiment is even stronger among Gen Z (49%) and Millennials (45%) (aNb Media, Inc.).
- Mental / Emotional Benefits: Over 80% of pet owners working in pet-friendly workplaces report better mental health and increased job satisfaction (Social).
- Social Impact: Time spent with pets or in pet-friendly environments can foster social engagement and reduce loneliness (MSU Denver RED).
These findings reflect broader trends of younger generations valuing pet-related perks, which they associate with work-life balance and well-being.
Pets and Corporate Relocation: A Key Consideration
Employers have improved family benefits overall, but pet parents today seek increased support for relocations made at company request. Employers who recognize this and provide resources—such as guidance on pet-friendly housing, relocation assistance for pets, and time off for the adjustment period—can significantly ease the transition:
- U.S. Domestic Relocation Policy: Unlike an international transfer, pets can typically be transported with their families. Companies should be prepared to address pet transportation conversations for situations where employees are unable to transport their own pets. Caps on the overall benefit can help contain costs.
In NEI’s U.S. Domestic All Benefits Survey, with 224 participants and covering 45 components, key Pet Transport benefit policy highlights included:
- International Relocation Policy: NEI’s 2022 International All Benefits Survey, with 108 participants and covering 47 components, shows an increase in companies offering pet transport for long-term assignments and permanent transfers. As companies focus on cost reduction, offering a capped pet transportation benefit can help keep costs down, while still providing families peace of mind, knowing their furry companions can move too.
Our International All Benefits Survey key Pet Transport benefit policy highlights included:
Where to Start
Don’t know where to start to help those relocating with pets?
First, understand how many current/past relocating employees are pet-owners. Once known, incorporate employee feedback received on the topic and review your policies against specific-industry or industry-overall best practices regarding family/pet-focused move benefits.
Our in-house Global Mobility Strategies and Client Relations Management team are pleased to assist.
The Business Case for Pet-Inclusive Policies
Investing in pet-friendly relocation policies isn’t just good for employees – it’s good for business. Companies that best support pet owners may enjoy increased employee satisfaction, higher loyalty/retention rates, and a reputation as an empathetic employer.
In a competitive labor market … these advantages can make all the difference.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the topic of pet transportation benefits in policy, other elements of U.S. Domestic or International Policy or our detailed U.S. Domestic or International All Benefits Surveys, please contact your NEI Client Relations Manager or NEI Client Development contact at 800.533.7353 any time.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
The Growing Importance of Pets in Families
It’s clear pets offer unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship, enriching lives across all ages and many companies are starting to recognize this strong bond. Forward-thinking organizations are even expanding relocation policies to better support employees and their companions.
Not convinced? Consider these furry facts:
- 97% of pet owners consider their pets family (Pew Research) and 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet (NAR).
- 57% of women owners say their pets are just as much a part of their family as a human member, compared with 43% of men who own pets. 64% of pet owners with lower family incomes consider their pets as much a part of their family as a human member, compared with 46% of those with middle incomes (46%) and higher incomes (43%) (Pew Research).
- Pet owners spent, on average, $4,800 on their animals in 2023 with no plans on cutting back (Bankrate), and the North American pet insurance industry had a record-setting $4.27 billion in total premiums sold in 2023 – a 21.9% increase from 2022 (NAPHIA).
Let’s examine why employers should consider putting pets in policy.
Supporting Pet Owners Matters
A recent SHRM article, “Want to Be an Inclusive Workplace? Don’t Neglect Pet Parents”, highlights employers that have made strides on parental benefits and other family resources recently. Organizations that provide pet-owning employees support reap the benefits, said Cerys Goodall, COO of Vetster, in the article. “More workers are pet parents, and it’s important to them.”
Support can include pet-friendly offices, pet insurance, remote work, time off for vet visits, pet bereavement, and even “pawternity leave” - paid leave to care for a new pet. Surveys underscore the strong connection between employees and their pets:
- Retention: 32% of pet owners in a Nationwide survey said they’d stay longer at a company offering pet benefits. This sentiment is even stronger among Gen Z (49%) and Millennials (45%) (aNb Media, Inc.).
- Mental / Emotional Benefits: Over 80% of pet owners working in pet-friendly workplaces report better mental health and increased job satisfaction (Social).
- Social Impact: Time spent with pets or in pet-friendly environments can foster social engagement and reduce loneliness (MSU Denver RED).
These findings reflect broader trends of younger generations valuing pet-related perks, which they associate with work-life balance and well-being.
Pets and Corporate Relocation: A Key Consideration
Employers have improved family benefits overall, but pet parents today seek increased support for relocations made at company request. Employers who recognize this and provide resources—such as guidance on pet-friendly housing, relocation assistance for pets, and time off for the adjustment period—can significantly ease the transition:
- U.S. Domestic Relocation Policy: Unlike an international transfer, pets can typically be transported with their families. Companies should be prepared to address pet transportation conversations for situations where employees are unable to transport their own pets. Caps on the overall benefit can help contain costs.
In NEI’s U.S. Domestic All Benefits Survey, with 224 participants and covering 45 components, key Pet Transport benefit policy highlights included:
- International Relocation Policy: NEI’s 2022 International All Benefits Survey, with 108 participants and covering 47 components, shows an increase in companies offering pet transport for long-term assignments and permanent transfers. As companies focus on cost reduction, offering a capped pet transportation benefit can help keep costs down, while still providing families peace of mind, knowing their furry companions can move too.
Our International All Benefits Survey key Pet Transport benefit policy highlights included:
Where to Start
Don’t know where to start to help those relocating with pets?
First, understand how many current/past relocating employees are pet-owners. Once known, incorporate employee feedback received on the topic and review your policies against specific-industry or industry-overall best practices regarding family/pet-focused move benefits.
Our in-house Global Mobility Strategies and Client Relations Management team are pleased to assist.
The Business Case for Pet-Inclusive Policies
Investing in pet-friendly relocation policies isn’t just good for employees – it’s good for business. Companies that best support pet owners may enjoy increased employee satisfaction, higher loyalty/retention rates, and a reputation as an empathetic employer.
In a competitive labor market … these advantages can make all the difference.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the topic of pet transportation benefits in policy, other elements of U.S. Domestic or International Policy or our detailed U.S. Domestic or International All Benefits Surveys, please contact your NEI Client Relations Manager or NEI Client Development contact at 800.533.7353 any time.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
