New Yorkers could soon be allowed to take paid sick leave to care for their pets.
Supporters believe this would improve the mental health of pet-owning residents by “making pet ownership easier.”
The bill, currently making its way through the New York City Council, would amend the city’s current Earned Safe and Sick Time Law to allow pet owners to have a day off with their pets.
Currently, the law guarantees workers in companies with more than 100 employees 56 hours of paid leave per year for personal illness or to care for a family member. While smaller companies get 40 hours.
Although some employees have voluntarily changed their policies in recent years, the only similar law in the US is in a small city near San Francisco; however, this law only applies to service animals.
New Yorkers could soon be allowed to take paid sick leave to care for their pets. Supporters believe this would improve the mental health of pet-owning residents by “making pet ownership easier” (file image)
If the law were extended to all pets and in a city of more than 8 million inhabitants, it would be unprecedented.
Democratic Councilman Shaun Abreu, who represents parts of the Upper West Side and West Harlem, said NBC New York that the scope of covered pets had not been specified, limiting it only to “legal pets” and “companion animals.”
Councilor Abreu, who owns two cats, said: “It is undeniable that we are facing a mental health crisis. And one of the best ways to address a mental health crisis is to make pet ownership easier.”
Locals were divided over the proposed law, with one comparing the law to parents taking time off to care for children and another describing it as an “overkill.”
Chelsea’s Mia Toledo said: “I think it’s fair.” It depends on how sick you are. People take time off to look after children who are sick.’
Konrad Kuo of Montville, New Jersey, owns a 2-year-old Corgi, but was less supportive of the law, noting that “pets are not people.”
However, an HR consultant has pointed out that more and more people have pets as part of the family.
Since the pandemic, New York has faced overcrowding at its animal shelters due to the higher cost of owning a pet due to large vet bills and the cost of living crisis. (archive image)
A dog walker in Central Park in February 2022. Locals were divided over the proposed law, with one likening the law to parents taking time off to care for children and another describing it as an “extension.”
Speaking of the proposed law for news weekBryan Driscoll said: ‘For many workers, especially those living in high-stress environments like New York, pets are a primary source of emotional support and companionship.
“Allowing employees to use paid sick leave to care for their pets recognizes this reality and reinforces that workers have lives and responsibilities outside of work.”
He added that he believed there was a 50/50 chance the bill would pass, but if it became law, other cities and even states could follow.
Since the pandemic, New York has faced overcrowding at its animal shelters due to the higher cost of owning a pet due to large vet bills and the cost of living crisis.
If passed, the bill could help pet owners save money if a pet gets sick and prevent more animals from ending up in shelters, where many have stopped taking in new pets.
