Do you think pets should be allowed in the workplace?

53 Comments

  • Wendy - 10 years ago

    Obviously not all work places will suit the best interest of a pet. If well cared for clean pets can be reasonably accommodated in the work place I think its a terrific balance to include our family member in our escalating working hours environments. My employer gets two fulltime employees at the price of me :) And Mocha provides that calming effect when technology is here to try us. All he asks for alerting us to our service providers at the Embassy Residence is a healthy clean bowl of water, a good morning g'day mate from the staff and occupants and a decent pat between work activities. And maybe a meat treat on tea breaks :) Of course it is imperative everyone in your workplace has a healthy respect for animals. Its worth trying out and if it suits all people then why not bring a pet to work. Why would Mocha the dog wish to stay home on a lonely property or me leave him home. Mans best friend should be with people and if not able responsibly socialised in dog day care several times a week just as you would a family member. All of our mental health wellbeing is important and just maybe allows us to humanise our work places with happy staffers and pets :)

  • Angela - 10 years ago

    I'm guessing the reason the answers are mostly "Yes" is because the people doing the survey get the Dog newsletter. Of course they're going to say yes! :P But I do think it's a good idea just because I feel pets are soothing and would make the day less stressful.

  • Rambi - 13 years ago

    As much as I love my cats and want their companionship at work, if you look at it from the cat's viewpoint, it is not a good idea. My cats (maybe not all cats) do not like car rides and since my commute is about an hour each way, it means a two hour trip. At work, the environment is strange to the cats and the people are strangers, no matter how friendly. Cats are heavily attached to their environment. So they would likey be scared by a number of things at work. To subject them to this for 8 hours so that I can enjoy them and show them off to others is a little on the selfish side. I have a strong feeling that if the cats had a vote, they would say "No thank you, I rather be here at home playing, eating and sleeping instead of being on edge for 8 hours. (Taking dogs to work is probably more workable because they are more attached to their owners than their environment.)
    My comments are based on my experience with many cats and a few dogs

  • Patty - 13 years ago

    I had a rubber stamp store & use to take my cat everyday to the store. He became a permanent fixture there and everyone would always ask about him. When he passed on I thought my heart would die too but a new cat came into my life another full breed stray that we could not find the owners. I took her in and soon she became another fixture in my store. She loved to lay in the baskets at the front door in the window where everyone saw her. Everyone loved her and enjoyed her presence. It added the special touch that made my store a home & a fun place to be. I agree not all pets make work place a special place & it has to be an agreement by all that it's acceptable.

  • Kirsti - 13 years ago

    I suppose it has to do with the job you have. I would not want my cats running around in my microbiology lab at the university. However, if you own a bookstore or some other less potentially dangerous business, that could be an option. As for me, the cats can come on holiday camping trips, and out to the local parks or friends' backyards, but at work it's just not a good idea. Also, it's responsible to consider allergies of people you work with. Some people I work with could be allergic to cats, just as I'm allergic to dogs. I would really be uncomfortable if an office mate were to bring in a dog and trigger an asthma attack. So, I think it's best in general, to leave the pets at home, and enjoy them there.

  • xena - 13 years ago

    Junior my rotty will came to my office every saturday, she loves to hang out and specially meeting with the peoples around the office. First thing when she arrived in the office, she will went around and greet eveyone she met. People will drop by to the office just like to hug her and play with her for evern just for a few minutes, you can see their smile and can't agree more the dog do help to bring them just that little joy at that moment. Well, in Malaysia, bringing your dog to work is almost impossible, due to the highly sensitivity of ther religion plus the complains of allregy toward pet, one time I have received warning from my management because i have brought my dog to the office midway after visiting the vet, and that's just something i will laught about it until the day i die, but I still believe bringing the dog to work is just wonderful, you don't have to worry leaving her alone in the house, and she is just happy to hang around with you in the office, specially when she is not feeling well...

  • Chrissy - 13 years ago

    I work at a resthome and bring my Husky Cross in a couple time a week to visit with the residents. She loves to go to the resthome and gets excited as soon as we turn into the parking lot. When we enter the resthome you can just see the residents faces light up. She is so gentle and warm and the residents call her their little baby girl. Just to see the smile on their faces when she comes to visit is a beautiful thing. It makes me feel so good that I can share my baby girl with them and the residents really look forward to seeing her. I know my dog loves it too!!

  • Steve - 13 years ago

    I work in a special needs classroom, and I bring my 2 yr old Boston Terrier to work 3-4 days a week. The kids love him, and he loves the kids. He insticually knows which kids are hesitant around him, and he his gentle and calm with them. Conversely, the kids who like to wrestle with him get to do so as well, and he knows the difference.

  • Steve - 13 years ago

    I work in a special needs classroom, and I bring my 2 yr old Boston Terrier to work 3-4 days a week. The kids love him, and he loves the kids. He insticually knows which kids are hesitant around him, and he his gentle and calm with them. Conversely, the kids who like to wrestle with him get to do so as well, and he knows the difference.

  • Tammi - 14 years ago

    Yes, I think everyday you should have the option to bring your dog to work with you. It brings out the better part of people. Everyone stops by just to say "hi"! I know it has made my work day alot less stressful. I would love to have days like this all the time. My sheltie, RyLou has been gret to have at work, I am so proud to own this guy!He is my baby of course!

  • PAM - 14 years ago

    I was aware that today was Take a Dog to Work. I am an ER RN and my Akita just became a therapy dog with TD Inc. We visited the hospital and the patients today and he was a great hit and acted perfectly. I am such a proud mother!!!!!!!!

  • Carol-Ann - 14 years ago

    I think pets in the workplace might be alright although in very limited circumstances. What concerns me, is people who get pets and don't take the responsibility seriously enough. I think if you considering having a pet, your life should be pretty stable or the pet has to suffer along with you. I take having my cat as seriously as having a child, they are both innocent and dependent.

  • Florence Stanley - 14 years ago

    Pets would be lovely if it was a suitable place for the animal with no danger like big trucks and machinery. Also the allegys of the workers must be considered. I have known animals in work places like a plant nursery and that worked.

  • abbie - 15 years ago

    I think it depends on where you're working. If it's a restaurant, that might not give off the most cleanliest appearance. I think that in the office, as many people have mentioned, you are close together, and you never know what kind of allergies people might have that could cause a serious reaction. I work at a doggie day care, and we bring our pets to work everyday. It can be a very fun idea, just within the right limits!

  • Jean - 15 years ago

    As much as I love my cats, they tend to obstruct progress on those days when I work at home. Between having George sprawling like a bridge between my lap and the computer keyboard and Peachfuzz perching daintily on the stack of invoices I am trying to enter into my accounting program, I end up being nearly as stressed as I would be if I were at the office. And forget about shutting the door on the cats - howling, scratching and knocking stuff off the shelves outside my home office can be distracting as well. To paraphrase a well-known adage, you can't serve cats and clients.

  • Kathy - 15 years ago

    I'd love to be able to take my cat to work, but I work in a library. There are a lot of patrons who are seriously allergic to cats. Sad, but true.

  • Petra - 15 years ago

    Only if we're talking about someone who has a dog, because they're blind or some similar situation.

  • Mikey and Izzy - 15 years ago

    I think it may be a good idea, but what about the people who are allergic? Or a barking dog seems like it might be a little annoying. So, yes and no.

  • Katzenfrau - 15 years ago

    Years ago my boss brought his two cats into our small, family owned plant because his newborn son was allergic. I really enjoyed their antics and affection, and they were real "stress busters" for all of us. However, it rapidly became apparent that the boss had washed his hands of them and we employees were the new "designated parents". I'm a real cat person and as long as the boss bought the food and kitty litter I was willing to feed and care for them. Unfortunately, they were indoor/outdoor cats and brought fleas as well as loving "tokens" to us daily. I bought flea medications when I could but to no avail...the place became infested. This, in addition to their propensity for bringing their prey to us and publicly dismembering it, became too much for some of the other employees and complaints were registered. That was the end of the "cats at work" program. This experience helped me become an advocate for responsible pet ownership (with cats it is more responsible human ownership) and to realize how little the owner cared for his dependents, both human and animal. It became apparant that his employees were as disposable as his cats which in turn created more stress. Fortunately many of us realized this and moved on to more employee friendly positions. The lessons I learned from this social experiment were; a) employers should be aware that they will be judged by their workers based on their care (or lack thereof) of "workplace" pets, b) employees should be consulted prior to bringing pets into the workplace (many people are allergic or don't feel comfortable with animals) and c) some people just shouldn't be allowed to have pets. We require licenses for proof of vaccination of pets but maybe we should require licenses for humans for proof of responsible pet ownership. Thanks for this opportunity to vent, I'll get off my soapbox now.

  • Tina - 15 years ago

    Where I work, many people have fish, lizards, snakes, small birds, and hamsters/mice/guinea pigs/rats in their offices and workstations (formerly the cubi-farm). We can bring our dogs and cats in on Fridays (or before vet visits, or when small puppies, etc.). I think the cats voted and decided they'd rather stay home than go into the office because we don't see cats there very often. Some people even bring in their parrots.

    There have to be rules, and those rules have to be enforced. The dogs must be friendly and well-behaved and certainly pest-free. We have people bring in aggressive dogs, dog-aggressive dogs, whiners, those that chew squeaky toys all day... All very distracting to your fellow co-workers. Our rules aren't well enforced because no one wants to be the bad guy.

    Plus, keep in mind that although your dog probably spends most of his time at home, while you're at work, sleeping, the same isn't true for when he's at work. You're there, they want attention. They need to go out, and you have to clean up after them. So, while it's nice to see dogs at work, there've got to be rules.

  • emmi - 15 years ago

    I must agree, in a perfect world I would love to vote for animals in the workplace... but perfect it isn't! Karen is right, there would be chaos if everyone brought every variety of pet imaginable. The type of business would also make a big difference. Smaller, less formal work environments would be much more appropriate.
    My husband & I have a "shop cat". While there is no question that our cat has done wonders for my stress level, I do have to admit that my level of productivity is not what it might have been, so I'm afraid that I couldn't honestly choose in favor of pets in the workplace, even though I wished to.

  • Jackie - 15 years ago

    I agree with pets in the work place, depending on where and what the work place is. I know that we had dogs and cats in some of the nursing homes I have worked at and they calm some of our Clint. But you have to be careful of allergies, and if the pet will scratch and maybe cause skin tears on elderly clients.
    Also if you work in a canning factory it would not be good to have pets there. Due to forklifts and other machinery. Also sanitation no one what dog or cat hair in there food.
    So I say depends on the work place and the people that work there.

  • Karen Oliver-Paull - 15 years ago

    While I think it's a nice idea to have a pet in the workplace, it would be chaos if everyone brought their pet to work. I much prefer the idea of a workplace having a pet in residence. Our local newspaper used to have three cats that lived in the office. One of them was named Typo as he liked to help which sometimes led to typos. They were all strays found near the office on the main street of our little town and they often wrote about them in the paper so everyone could keep up with them.

  • Wanda Jackson - 15 years ago

    For many years, I worked in hospital labs; and, that is defiintiely not a place for any living person or animal if they are not working there. It is just too easy to catch something. These days, my younger Min Pin and one of my doves go to work with me every day; but, I work in my front bedroom and I am alone with them.

    My phycial therapist office manager got her little poodle certified as a therapy dog so she could take her to work and everywhere else she goes. I have seen other dogs that were highly trained, at areas like nursing homes and hospitals.

    I would have an extremely hard time if I worked in an area where cats were brought in. I am severely allergic and if I go in a room with cats, my eyes swell shut and I have trouble breathing. My friends who have cats have to put on clean clothes before they come to my home. My allergy doctor said that cat saliva is very thick and sticky and can move from surface to surface over a long period of time. So if that were the case, I would have to quit my job.

  • terps19 - 15 years ago

    "Because I keep her clean, we have not had any episodes with people who were allergic to cats"

    I am very allergic to cats and it doesnt matter how clean the cat is- it is the hair and dander that make most people allergic not them being dirty- Sure dirty animals can cause allergies as well but that is not why most are allergic. It is people like this that I cant understand- oh the cat is clean so you will be fine- Uh NO, Sorry but that is wrong. It is just like someone saying, "Oh you arent allergic to peanuts they probably just dont agree with you."

  • terps19 - 15 years ago

    Nothing would ever get done at work!

  • Karie Hickman - 15 years ago

    I am a 6th grade school teacher in TN. I bring my 1.5 year old Yorkie to school with me at least three days a week. His name is Louie, and he is our "teacher's pet" so to speak! :) He loves the kids, and they love him too. They read to him, practice their math facts with him, and they even recite their spelling words to him. I have done a lot of research regarding pets in the classroom, and animals have been proven to have a very calming, stress reducing affect on children at school. My principal is very supportive, and all of my kids are very happy to see Louie each day! I haven't ever run into an allergy problem either b/c Yorkies don't shed, and I guess people just aren't allergic to them. Animals are a must at work for me! :)

  • Chris - 15 years ago

    If the question was, do I want MY pet in the workplace the answer would be a resounding yes!~but then I think of some of the pets I've had to deal with it would be a definite problem. My dogs are well trained and I would appreciate the security it would bring having a loving but security conscious 'friend' at my side. There are problems, though, as others have mentioned.
    I don't know if it would be a good idea to have a dog that jumps up on people, for instance and makes nail holes/catches in your clothes, or leaves white hair matting on your black wool coat, or lies in the hallway so that when you're walking along carrying files, for instance, you fall over them.
    Or when they want out or want a bite to eat, taking you away from your work.
    I've worked for a horse vet that kept cats at work for mousing purposes, as well as a riding barn. The cats are a source of warmth in the winter when you can sit for a moment!
    Now if I could ride my horse to work, if there were a warm stall with water and hay, imagine the gas I'd save!
    I was forced to vote maybe for all these reasons. Depends on the animal and the place of employment.

  • Vikki - 15 years ago

    I would love it !! I wouldn't stress so much about coming in on the weekends to work. I have a closed office so it shouldn't bother anyone else if I brought my small dog with me occasionally.

    As for allergies ...........they (work) don't accomodate for those with any other allergy :-) Seriously, I just wish they would look at it as a possibility because animals do so much to relieve stress and so much more !!

  • Dennis - 15 years ago

    I work for a small engineering and surveying office. We all have pets, especially dogs, and love having them with us. However, we also have clients and delivery people coming in and we have found the dogs very disruptive. We all kid about opening a doggy day care, but don't have the room. When I bring my Golden-doodle in, everyone gives her way too much attention, which she loves. And she enjoys the other dogs. But, we get nothing done. So, I agree that they reduce stress, but not in the work environment. Thanks.

  • Lynn - 15 years ago

    I work in a nursing home and we have a facility mascot. She is an English Bulldog named Betsy and actually belongs to the facility Administrator. Her easygoing nature and friendly, laid back personality make her a favorite attraction for the residents. They all love it when the activities girls take her around the facility in her little red wagon. They make a special effort to take her to the rooms of the residents who can not get out of their beds.

  • Mike - 15 years ago

    My wife and I own a carwash/detail shop and have always had one of our dogs going to work with us. We had "Otto" a long haired dachshund for 17 years until the day he died coming to work with us. He was our official greeter! He sat on the couch near the front door and knew he was there for a purpose. He died when he was 17 years old and now we have Gunther, another long haired dachie, for the last 5 years and he "studied" under Otto for a couple of years and he expects every customer to pet him. Our business cards and signs all say Mike and Pam Owners and Otto, and now Gunther, "the boss." Sometimes when a telemarketer calls and wants to talk to the boss, I'd say you have to talk to Otto or now Gunther, but they're not here right now, they've stepped out for a biscuit, or cocktails, or went fishing, you know what I mean. It always gives a good laugh. The customers really like making over our "official greeter." Sometimes, they even bring treats. However, some people aren't animal people and you can tell by the dog's look. Otto and Gunther never miss a day of work. They expect to go there 7 days a week. Or they pout around at home. I highly recommend taking a pet to work, as long as they behave properly. We are lucky because both Otto and Gunther are both very laid back dachies and not jumpy and highly excited. At work, they really act like they are working.

  • Betty - 15 years ago

    Dogs are unpredictable. Recently, a child was badly bitten by a boxer dog in our local pet food store. The owner brought her dog into work. This dog had never bitten anyone before. This child required many stitches to his face.

    A lot of people are allergic to dogs also. Not everyone is a dog lover.

    I have two mini dachshunds. My male is so lovable and affectionate. Today, he tried to bite me when I brought out the pedi-paws to do his nails. Animals are unpredictable.

  • Lisa L - 15 years ago

    I work at a small law firm and we chose as a group to get an office cat. His name is Barrister and he's the best thing that's happened to this office. Our clients love him ( he even gets presents) and for the ones that don't we just shoo him out of the room and close the door. We all look forward to seeing him every day. He's definately the boss.

  • Donna Elli - 15 years ago

    I work for a Swimming Pool Construction Company. We had a wild cat show up 3 years ago, after 2 years, he decided he liked being an inside cat, so he is now the office cat. 6 months ago I adopted a puppy from the shelter, and to help me train her, I brought her to work with me. She was house broke in a couple weeks. Everyone has helped with training her. It took a while for the cat and dog to become friends, but now they get along fine. We alway put the animals in the fenced yard when people come in, but most of our customers are now use to them. And Sadie, my dog, has her own visitors that stop and see how she's grown. Our office is next door to a veterinarian, and unfortunately, many strays are dropped off on her doorstep.
    We have not had any problem with the animals in the office. But I think it depends on how well you can control them. We wait and see if the customer has a problem. If they do, the animals stay away. We keep one office "animal free" in case anyone has allergies.

  • Lori K - 15 years ago

    I love my dogs, and would LOVE to bring them to work with me. I have a dog who is a therapy dog- who goes to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, and public schools- all places which there are people who are allergic to animals. My dog is very VERY well behaved, well trained, very clean (he has to bathe to visit facilities- and has to use "natures miracle dander remover" before visiting the library) and wouldn't "encroach" on non-animal lovers. I bring my dog to lots of public places and have never had a complaint as he is well behaved and won't interact with other people unless he is given permission to. He is a huge stress reliever for the staff at the homes we visit- and certainly reduces my stress.

  • Monica Wheatley - 15 years ago

    I am a pet owner and have been for most of my life. I love my animals and look forward to seeing them when I get home each day. However, I think pets in the workplace would encroach on those people who do not like pets, are allergic to them or who would find them distracting. Work is work and play is play. There should be a separation.

  • Arlene Marzell - 15 years ago

    My husband and I own an income tax business and work with my son and daughter-in-law and during our busy time (80 hours a week) we bring our small dogs to the office. Most of our clients love them, the rest tolerate them. And several times a day clients will inquire about the dogs when they phone in. In fact they will ask about them before they ask about the humans or ask their questions. The dogs, a 5 lb Yorkie and my son's 10 lb jack russell / chiuaua mix, look forward to their "work day" where they greet each and every client. Not only does it take the stress out of the day, it forces me to take a walk several times a day which allows me time to get away from the crazyness for a few minutes and get some much needed exercise.

  • Mary Grace - 15 years ago

    Having a pet in the work place is a concept whose time has come. I am a special education teacher, my yellow lab rescue Nilla, and I, are currently training for her therapy dog certification. It has been empirically proven that therapy dogs in the classroom can break barriers that would otherwise be road blocks and break downs for special ed students. Unfortunately there are some who are allergic to pet dander, and districts that feel bringing dogs to school only causes a mess- fur, dirt etc.. Canine companions are truly a gift and I can only hope to be as wonderful as my dogs think I am... MGH

  • Amy - 15 years ago

    I absolutely LOVE dogs and cats; however, I know that allowing pets in my work place will never happen, because I work at the student health clinic of a large university. There have been times (e.g. my days off) where I have brought my dogs on campus and the students go nuts and want to pet them - many of them come to school from far away and miss the pets that they had to leave behind. It would be nice to institute a sort of pet therapy program here, where employees could bring their pets and students could play with them; I have suggested it many times, but the decision makers don't seem to support it.

  • Sharon McKee - 15 years ago

    I love the idea of having dogs in the workplace but you have to be careful of what type of dog. Our office recently lost our lobby dog of 15 years. Nobody is sure of the breed but he was of the herder-type breeds. He knew how to behave himself and was proud of his job.

    I could never see my dog assuming the position because he is a VERY friendly Labrador Retreiver. It would not be appropriate to have him tackling clients for a kiss.

  • Marsha - 15 years ago

    My precious pet was with me this morning at work before his "beauty" appointment. He also goes to work with my daughter when I am away. He is very well behaved and very well received. I shut my connecting door, keep his carries close and announce his presence to any one before they enter my inner office. He and I are both happier together and I always bring him if I have weekend work to do.

  • Coalcracker0 - 15 years ago

    I work for an agency that employs blind people. We have guide dogs who come to work daily with their owners. Although they are not really pets, we do take the time to talk to them, pet them and sometimes give them treats. It is really nice to be greeted by a dog when you walk by, although I have to agree with Ellen; I have see some neglect of the animals, but I am also sometimes in a position to talk to the person and help make it better!

  • Paula - 15 years ago

    As others have mentioned, I would be very concerned for those folks that have allergies, therefore as much as I love pets, I had to vote for no pets in the workplace.

  • Brenda Westbrook - 15 years ago

    I have been thinking about getting a cat for our store! I think it would help with all the stress going on there!

  • Mary - 15 years ago

    We have a cat at the office. It used to belong to the boss, but when she brought a dog home her cat became very upset and was unable to deal with it so she brought her to work. The cat comes and goes (inside & out) during the day, but I make sure she is in for the night before I leave. I've had cats throughout the past 36 years and they were never outside and thoroughly content & healthy. Because she goes outside I have to keep up with her medications for fleas and internal parasites since she hunts. We have had people who were afraid of cats in the office and we just corralled her into an office and closed the door. Because I keep her clean, we have not had any episodes with people who were allergic to cats. I enjoy her company when she decides to visit me, but I believe that if you are going to take an animal to work or keep an "office pet" you should be able to make accommodations for those that are intolerant or unable to deal with the situation and accept full responsibility for that animals care and upkeep. I'm sure the weekends are long and lonely for our office cat and holidays are worse. I try to come in over the long holiday weekends and I would take her home with me, but I too have dogs and she would not be happy there. Some situations are better for having an animal companion than others and no one should be forced to endure an unkept, unhealthy or unfriendly animal.

  • heather - 15 years ago

    I think Pets are wonderful in the workplace if it is safe for them to be there. I work in the medical field and I would not feel comfortable to bring my 2 year old Walker (puppy), who tries to eat everything, to work. I think that it would relieve stress and increase work if it were safe environment for the animal. I know I get a lot done in front of my home computer with my cat purring on my lap!! He is comfortable and I don't want to disturb him, so I get the work done and games played!!

  • PJ Ben - 15 years ago

    As a person who is seriously allergic to cats resulting in asthma attacks, I would hate to see pets in businesses. I like the idea of having animals around,but there are just some of us who can't afford the luxury of pets in environments that we are required to be in. If I were working for an employer, I would feel the same way about pets as most people feel about second hand smoke. And if I were a customer of a business that had pets, I would be thinking twice about going back.

  • Pat - 15 years ago

    I bring my dog Kobe with me to work every day. He is a sweet and well cared for dog, and everyone adores him, even the mailman!! He even gets his own visitors everyday - people who are walking by on the way to work stop in just to pet him and say hello.

    I think he helps to relieve stress as he seems to know when someone is frustrated and visits with them for a few minutes....their petting him seems to take their mind off their frustrations for a minute and their attitudes seem to improve once he decides they are calmed down enough to go back to work!

    He LOVES coming to work and is always excited to go --even on Mondays! I think he has become a valuable member of our staff. I couldn't imagine leaving him at home now.

  • Betty - 15 years ago

    I love all animals but would be concerned about people with allergies.Pets in a pet store or vetrinarians are fine.

  • Nina - 15 years ago

    One main problem would be those poor folks who are allergic to cats. One of my daughters and two of my grandchildren are allergic, and they visit for an hour and leave sneezing and with tears running down their faces. Usually we go to a restaurant or some other place where we can be together away from the cat.

  • m - 15 years ago

    it is not a good idea to keep pets at a workplace because you never know what some deranged coworker will do to harm an innocent animal....i personally experienced a situation where someone poisoned a fish out of some sick sense of entertainment

  • ellen - 15 years ago

    My boss often has her daughter's dogs in our office. Although I like the dogs themselves, it is difficult to see the level of neglect in which they live when I have no power to change that. They are not bathed regularly, and one year they brought fleas in the office. I am allergic to flea bites, and it cost me about $100 to remediate the problem.

    I like the *idea* of pets in the office, but the reality I've experienced has been less than positive.

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