Would You Like to Work In a Pet-Friendly Office?

Pets in UK Households

It’s estimated that 12 million UK households have a pet — roughly 44% of households. With so many of us owning pets (particularly younger people without children and those who work full time), there's an increased need for dog walkers and pet-sitting services — and more people are taking their pets to work.

A study by Animal Friends suggests around 1.7 million workplaces are now pet-friendly — that’s about a third of employers who have a pet policy in place.

Would You Bring Your Pet to Work?

Do you take your beloved pet to work? Do you run a business that allows pets? A pet-friendly workplace can:

• Boost morale
• Reduce staff anxiety
• Encourage social interaction
• Increase enthusiasm for work

We ran a poll on our Facebook page and found that a quarter of respondents would like to work in a pet-friendly environment.

We know pets aren’t for everyone — the main concerns are cleanliness and allergies. Below are some practical tips if you’re considering a pet-friendly policy but want to maintain a clean, hygienic workplace.

Tips to Keep a Pet-Friendly Workplace Clean

Micro Clean (for Accidents and Odours)

Even the most well-behaved pets can have the odd accident. Micro Clean is a biological cleaner and odour eradicator that helps tackle smells and germs. Start by removing any excess moisture or soiled debris, then dilute Micro Clean with water at a ratio of 1:1. Soak the affected area with plenty of the solution and leave it to break down stains and smells.

Micro Clean is also useful at home for pet accidents, bathroom odours, smelly drains, and preventing mould and damp.

Micro Clean 5L

Oxy-Gen Powered Air Freshener Systems

Smells are a common worry for workplaces considering pets. Put a simple policy in place (for example: bedding washed weekly, no smelly treats, etc.), but also consider a reliable air-freshening solution.

The Oxy-Gen Powered range of dispensers delivers long-lasting fragrance (30–90 days depending on the cartridge). Using 100% pure fragrance oil makes them a safe and flexible option for facilities — you can adjust strength as needed to combat wet-dog or other persistent smells.

Oxygen Pro Dispenser
Oxygen Pro Refill Cartridges

Commercial Vacuum Cleaners (for Allergies)

Allergies are a real concern, but regular vacuuming with a powerful commercial machine can help. The Numatic Nuvac is built for regular use and comes with a 12.5m power cable — ideal for larger office spaces. For small workplaces you could set up a rota so pet-owning employees take turns with daily vacuuming.

Numatic Nuvac Vacuum Cleaner

What Do You Think?

If you’re a business owner, would you consider allowing staff to bring pets if it boosts morale and productivity? Or do you prefer pets stay at home? Let us know — there are pros and cons on both sides and often a few small rules make pet-friendly workplaces work well for everyone.

Source: Animal Friends — Do Office Pets Bring Benefits?