November 21, 2007

JAPAN – According to Mainichi Daily News, it's becoming increasingly popular for Japanese companies to offer their employees pet perks – as a way to promote responsible care of companion animals.

Some companies provide pet dependency allowances, bonuses for adopting a rescue and grievance time if a companion animal passes away.

Pet food maker Hills Colgate of Japan gives 10,000 yen – or about $90.00 - for each pet a worker owns. They give another 10,000 if the animal dies, and a day off work for grieving.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Kyoritsu Seiyaku and Hills Colgate say they got in early on the trend, and now hope others will follow suit.

A Kyoritsu spokesman said the company wants to bring pet care to the level of human care.

The spokesman told the Mainichi Daily News they want to “...encourage employees to have a sense of duty and responsibility whenever they buy a pet.”

In Japan, where pets were not long ago seen as less than necessary, it seems that corporate intervention is aiming to set a new precedent.

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