16 Oct 2025
Introducing a pet-friendly workplace could help Australian employers attract and retain key staff.
One quarter of Australians don't have paw-ternity leave at work but want their companies to
offer this, and around 54% would choose a job based on whether dogs are allowed in the work environment, according to a new Budget Direct Pet Insurance survey on Dog Socialisation.
But the survey of more than 1,000 Australians also found the chances of finding an employer
who offers paw-ternity leave could prove challenging.
Only 16% of respondents had a dog-friendly policy, with just under 9% having paw-ternity leave at their workplace.
“We love our pets, there’s no doubt about that,” said Budget Direct Chief Growth Officer,
Jonathan Kerr.
“And who wouldn’t want to take their fur-friend to work with them. But of course, there’s a lot to consider for workplaces - such as the safety of staff, dogs and customers.
With 84% of Australian workplaces not having a dog-friendly workplace, it may be little surprise that just over half the dog-owners surveyed had used doggie daycare.
Over 8% of respondents used it at least once a week and another 5% once a month; with 32% of respondents saying they use it only occasionally as needed.
New South Wales pooch-lovers were most likely to have used doggie day care (58%), well
ahead of the least likely (South Australia - 31%).
The most common reason (34%) for using doggie daycare was the owner needing someone to look after the dog because they weren’t at home.
“We’re much more aware of issues like separation anxiety these days,” said Mr Kerr.
“Australia is a nation of dog lovers and we tend to treat them as children. It’s a heartwarming
bond between pet and owner.”
The second-most popular reason (14%) survey respondents put their dog into daycare was for socialisation.
Other socialisation activities include:
regular walks, particularly on a new or different route (72%),
taking them to the dog park (58%), and
taking them along on errands (49%).
Australians seem more likely to take their pampered pooches for a road trip or weekend away (39%) than to a dog-friendly cafe (35%).
“It’s a dog’s life - nothing is out of the question for our favourite fur-babies regardless of effort or cost,” said Mr Kerr.
Budget Direct’s award-winning Pet Insurance offers three levels of cover and includes illness,
accidental injury and a wide range of other benefits.
To read the full survey breakdown, visit the Budget Direct website.
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