The Rise of Pet Care Benefits in Employee Support Programs

As companies adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce, back-up care for pets is emerging as a significant employee benefit alongside traditional caregiving for children and aging parents. This trend is particularly relevant as many organizations transition back to in-office work, necessitating additional support for employees managing caregiving responsibilities. According to a report from the AARP Public Policy Institute, approximately 59 million Americans provided care for family, friends, or neighbors in 2024, totaling an estimated 49.5 billion hours of care valued at around $1 trillion.

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A survey conducted by pet health-care company Wagmo revealed that 75% of pet-owning employees missed at least one day of work in the past year due to pet-care issues, with 26% reporting six or more missed days. In response, caregiving companies like Wellthy have begun offering pet care as part of their services. Wellthy, which serves clients such as Best Buy, Merck, and Harvard University, introduced pet care options in 2024, reflecting a growing demand for comprehensive caregiving solutions.

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The integration of pet care into employee benefits is gaining traction, with around 50% of Wellthy's clients now providing access to these services. Bright Horizons, another back-up care provider, has partnered with Rover and Wag! to offer pet-walking, sitting, and overnight boarding services. These initiatives aim to alleviate the burden on employees who may struggle to balance work and pet care, especially as the flexibility of remote work diminishes.

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Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO and co-founder of Wellthy, emphasized the importance of supporting employees' personal logistics as companies push for a return to office work. She noted that while pet care may not be the most pressing need compared to child and senior care, it plays a vital role in the overall caregiving landscape.

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Jurist-Rosner's motivation to establish Wellthy stemmed from her personal experience caring for her mother with multiple sclerosis, highlighting the emotional and financial challenges families face in managing caregiving. She pointed out the severe shortages in child and senior care staffing, alongside rising costs that often exceed housing expenses in many U.S. markets.

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The introduction of pet care benefits aligns with Wellthy's mission to alleviate financial and emotional stress for families, ultimately improving productivity and retention for employers. Jurist-Rosner remarked, "I think this caregiving is kind of the under-discussed workforce equity, workforce productivity, and frankly, labor participation issue of our time."

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• “We are seeing smart companies say 'we're going to do a return to office push', and ask folks to come back into offices. And we're also going to support them with their key personal logistics,” — Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO and Co-founder of Wellthy

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• “We do find that most families are already stretched financially trying to pay for care and asking them to pay for another service on top of it feels like a lot.” — Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO and Co-founder of Wellthy

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• “I say people don't want to quit their families so they quit their jobs.” — Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO and Co-founder of Wellthy

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The growing trend of incorporating pet care into employee benefits reflects a broader recognition of the diverse caregiving needs faced by workers today. As companies strive to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, addressing these needs may prove essential in navigating the complexities of modern work-life balance.

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