- According to a recent Rover.com survey of dog owners, 75% said they were more likely to stay with an employer that allows them to bring their pet.
- Only six of the top dog-friendly companies are in a pet-related industry.
- Of the top 15 companies, eight are located on the West Coast.
Dog ownership is a rewarding experience. Companionship with a canine buddy can easily brighten a day and ease tension. So, when a company lets its workers bring their dogs to the office, it's no surprise that experts believe nearly everyone benefits.
As companies begin considering more nontraditional perks to entice new talent and keep existing employees engaged, Rover.com released its first-ever list of the top 100 dog-friendly companies in the United States.
"The bond between humans and animals is good for human health and can build connections in the work environment," said Phil Tedeschi, Rover's human-animal behavior expert and executive director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver. "Pets often allow for engagement and shared activity, in turn strengthening bonds among co-workers."
Rover's list, released earlier today, was created to coincide with National Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 21.
Pets at work good for business
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, approximately 40% of American workers feel overworked and pressured. A stress-relieving perk like pet accommodations can help combat workplace maladies such as burnout, which has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a serious health risk.
Earlier this year, Rover conducted a survey of more than 1,200 American dog owners and found that 75% of those who were able to bring their dogs to work were more likely to stay with their current employer. These respondents were also more likely to feel engaged at work, with two-thirds saying they felt strongly that they were more likely to interact with their co-workers in a positive manner.
"Company culture is one of the most important factors that attracts talent to a workplace and tends to keep them there," said Jovana Teodorovic, Rover's head of people and culture. "While having dogs at the office brings the obvious playfulness and endless wagging tails, it also heightens employees' emotional intelligence, helping them feel more comfortable opening up with one another."
The 15 companies with best dog-friendly work policies
Most of the top 15 dog-friendly workplaces on Rover's list are located on the West Coast, with California being the most represented state. Unsurprisingly, tech companies feature prominently at the top, with big names like Amazon, Airbnb and Uber landing in the top 10. Six of the top 15 companies are in pet-related industries, with Trupanion, PetSmart and Nestle Purina Petcare ranking near the top of the list.
In addition to allowing dogs in their offices, the best dog-friendly companies offer pet-related time off and a pet stipend. They also provide pet amenities. For example, Amazon's main campus in Seattle has a dog park for its 6,000 registered dogs and provides free poop bags and dog treats.
Here are the top 15 dog-friendly companies in the U.S. For the full list, visit Rover's website.
- Amazon (Seattle, WA)
- Procore Technologies (Carpinteria, CA)
- Trupanion (Seattle, WA)
- PetSmart (Phoenix, AZ)
- Airbnb (San Francisco, CA)
- Nestle Purina Petcare (St. Louis, MO)
- Petco Animal Supplies Inc. (San Diego, CA)
- Zogics (Lenox, MA)
- Ceros (New York, NY)
- Uber (San Francisco, CA)
- Salesforce (San Francisco, CA)
- Chewy.com (Dania Beach, FL, and Boston, MA)
- Sittercity (Chicago, IL)
- Ookla (Seattle, WA)
- Splendid Spoon (Brooklyn, NY)