"Need to Take Care of My Pet" Parental Leave for Pets, What Do You Think?

Pet Owners "Raising Pets Is Also a Form of Parenting"
Introducing the Concept of 'Fur-ternity Leave' for Pet Parenting
Experts Say "A Demand Reflecting the Era of Considering Pets as Family Members"

As the number of pet owners in South Korea approaches 15 million, there is a growing demand among pet owners for companies to consider raising pets as part of childcare support. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "Shouldn't raising pets also be considered a form of childcare?"

As the number of pet owners in South Korea approaches 15 million, there is a growing demand among pet owners for companies to consider raising pets as part of childcare.

According to the 2018 Population Census by Statistics Korea, 5.66 million households (4.54 million with dogs, 1.12 million with cats) raise pets, accounting for more than 25% of the total 20 million households.

Along with this, the number of single-person households raising pets is also increasing. A 2019 survey and analysis conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to understand the pet ownership status, living environment, and awareness of abandoned animals among Seoul citizens found that while dog ownership rates were similar regardless of housing type, tenancy, or household size, cat ownership was higher among monthly renters/others and single-person households.

The demand to consider raising pets as childcare seems to be influenced by the fact that single-person households with pets often leave their pets alone for long periods, leading to a rapid increase in pet owners who regard their pets as family members and friends and show deep affection for them.

Photo by Yonhap News

A market research company, Embrain Trend Monitor, conducted a perception survey on 'pets' among 1,000 adults aged 19 to 59 nationwide, revealing that pet owners view their pets as "more than just animals."

According to the survey, 92.6% of pet owners responded that they plan to be with their pets until death, and 87.9% agreed with the statement that "pets are no different from family."

A 27-year-old office worker A, who owns a pet, said, "South Korea also needs a pet childcare leave system," adding, "I think raising pets is the same as raising children. Animals need care just like people."

He continued, "When my pet was sick, it was very hard because I couldn't be with it," and lamented, "The reality is that many people still do not understand taking time off work to care for pets."

He added, "I heard that in advanced countries like the U.S., policies are well established to allow pet owners to work from home when their pets are sick," and expressed hope that "South Korea will also develop proper pet childcare leave along with changes in awareness."

Photo by Yonhap News

As the number of pet owners who show deep affection for their pets rapidly increases, it has been confirmed that overseas regions are actively utilizing 'pet leave systems.'

In 2018, the U.S. daily newspaper The New York Times (NYT) reported that companies guaranteeing 'fur-ternity leave'?a combination of 'maternity leave' and animal 'fur'?or 'animal childcare leave' are increasing.

According to the report, mParticle, a data company located in New York, U.S., provides two weeks of paid leave when an employee adopts a pet. This system is separate from paid leave used for child-rearing, illness, family accidents, or elderly care.

Additionally, some companies in Rome, Italy, and Brussels, Belgium, are known to offer up to two days of paid leave when pets are sick, reflecting policies considering the rapidly increasing number of pet-owning households.

Experts analyze that the demand for pet childcare leave among pet owners is a "natural trend."

Jeon Jin-kyung, Executive Director of Animal Rights Action Kara, explained, "For people who raise pets, pets are no different from family. The role pets play in individuals and households in our society is as important as that of humans," adding, "Time to support them equally as family members is necessary."

She further stated, "As the trend of regarding pets as equal family members grows, demands such as 'pet funeral leave' are likely to be raised frequently in the future," and added, "There is nothing unusual about such demands being made."