World Pet Memorial Day:
Is pet bereavement leave the next employee benefit?
As World Pet Memorial Day approaches on June 9, many Kiwis will quietly remember the beloved cats, dogs, and other companions who’ve left paw prints on their hearts. For countless pet parents, the grief is as raw and profound as losing a human family member, with research confirming the lasting heartache familiar to us all.
And that, says PD Insurance Chief Operating Officer Michelle Le Long, begs a question: “Should employers offer pet bereavement leave?”
It’s a story so many have experienced. Our pets are there for us through break-ups, job changes, late nights, and everyday joys. They greeted you at the door, curled up on the couch, and somehow knew when you needed a quiet cuddle.
When they pass, the house is emptier, routines shatter, and the sorrow lingers for months or even years. Many will recall the tear-jerker movie ‘Marley & Me’, with arguably the world’s most challenging dog soon becoming an inseparable, and then unforgettable companion.
“That makes a strong case for needing a little time out when a pet passes,” Le Long continues, “But on the other hand, leave places a cost on employers; also, not everyone has pets, so it may seem unfair to non-pet parents.”
Science-based evidence
Several studies highlight just how deep the grief runs. A UK survey[1] of nearly 1,000 adults found that 7.5% of those who lost a pet met the criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), comparable to the experience of those losing a close friend, and only marginally (0.8%) less than losing a grandparent. For about one in five people who had experienced both pet and human losses, the pet’s death was the most distressing.
Symptoms mirror human bereavement: intense longing, emotional numbness, difficulty with daily tasks, and that aching sense that part of you is missing. Researchers argue this grief is clinically significant and deserves recognition.
“We raised the issue in our own recent Pet Parent survey,” adds Le Long. “When asked ‘Should employers allow their employees ‘pet leave’ to look after a sick pet or time to grieve a pet that has passed away?’, 82.3% said YES.”
While she concedes this is a highly likely outcome, Le Long nevertheless says there’s a slightly different way of looking at it. “Some employers might see this as an attractive perk that could help secure great employees.”
No formal leave, but strong support for change
New Zealand’s workplaces typically don’t have formal pet bereavement leave, and there is no statutory requirement to offer any. However, Le Long says many employers are keenly aware of the necessity for mental health support, providing discretionary leave where and when appropriate.
Ways to remember and honour them
The memory of a family pet lingers long after they are gone, and on World Pet Memorial Day and beyond, Le Long says the way we hold pets in our hearts is strikingly similar to how we remember family members. “These are traditions as old as our relationship with family pets,” she notes.
Archaeological evidence, for example, shows that ancient Romans deeply valued dogs, treating them as cherished companions, protectors, and workers, often burying them in decorated graves with heartfelt epitaphs. One from thousands of years ago reads, ‘I am in tears carrying you to your last resting place’[2].
“Today, pet parents remember their furry family members in a variety of ways, including paw print keepsakes, framed photos, memorial gardens or tree plantings, and even ashes turned into diamonds or other custom memorials,” says Le Long.
World Pet Memorial Day is an opportunity to acknowledge how pets enrich our lives. “It also reminds us to reflect on how we can support people through a loss, whether through understanding at work or simple kindness from friends, and make a real difference.”
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jan/15/grief-pet-death-family-member-survey
[2] https://mymodernmet.ru/ancient-roman-epitaphs-dogs