Politics
Fluffy Feeling Ill? N.Y.C. Workers May Get Sick Leave to Care for Pets.
Councilman Shaun Abreu is introducing a bill that would require employers in New York City to let workers use their paid sick leave to take care of pets and service animals.
A New York City councilman plans to introduce a bill on Wednesday that would allow workers to use their paid sick leave to care for their pets.
The bill, by Councilman Shaun Abreu, a Manhattan Democrat, would amend the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act so that paid sick leave, which employees can take to care for themselves or family members, can also be used for both household pets and service animals.
Mr. Abreu said the bill was intended to help address the city’s mental health crisis. “I think that one of the simplest ways to support mental health is by encouraging pet ownership,” Mr. Abreu said, adding, “Keeping our pets healthy keeps us healthy.”
He pointed to research that shows that owning a pet can reduce cortisol, a stress-related hormone. Having a dog, for example, can also force people to engage in physical activity, which can in turn have positive effects on depression and social isolation, he said.
The legislation comes at a time when roughly two-thirds of American homes report having at least one pet, according to the American Pet Products Association, an industry group. Americans spent $147 billion on their pets in 2023, which includes the costs of veterinary care and over-the-counter medicine, according to the group.
Few places have laws like the one Mr. Abreu hopes to pass. In Emeryville, Calif., people can use their paid sick leave to care for a guide dog, signal dog or service dog that belongs to the employee or a family member.
