Dignity Pets logo
Dignity Pets logo
01252 844572
  • Latest News
  • Vet Portal
  • Checkout
  • Shop Log in
  • About
    • Why Choose Us
    • History
    • Supporting Charities
    • Meet The Team
    • Video Testimonials & Photos
    • Our Brochure
  • Services
    • Arranging Your Pet’s Cremation
    • Pre-Payment Plan
    • Pre-cremation Wishes
    • Getting Your Pet To Dignity
    • Other Services
      • Scattering or Burying Ashes
      • Equine Cremations
      • Remembrance Walkway
      • Pet Exhumation
      • Celebrant Pet Funeral Service
    • Search By Pet Type
      • Cat Cremations
      • Dog Cremations
      • Small Animal Cremations
      • Horse Cremations
    • Our Prices
    • Pet Caskets and Urns
  • Euthanasia with Dignity
    • Euthanasia at Dignity
    • Home Euthanasia
  • Client Journeys
  • Bereavement Support
    • Pet Bereavement Counselling
    • Poetry and Books
    • Ways To Remember Your Pet
  • Shop
    • Caskets, Urns & Coffins
      • Caskets & Urns
        • Indoor Caskets & Urns
        • Burial Caskets
        • Scatter Containers
        • Eco-Friendly Urns
        • For Cats
        • For Dogs
        • For Small Animals
        • For Horses
      • Porcelain Urn
      • Home Burial
      • Photo Frames
      • Engraving (Caskets & Urns)
    • Pet Keepsakes
      • Paw Print
        • Personalised Paw Print Impression
        • Paw Print Jewellery
      • Pet Memorial Jewellery
        • Alba Rose Ashes Jewellery
        • See You Memorial Jewellery
        • Silvertips Paw and Nose Print Jewellery
        • Necklaces
        • Bracelets
        • Chains
        • Earrings
        • Rings
        • Pendants
        • Charms
        • Cufflinks
        • Dog Tag
        • Horsehair Jewellery
        • Pet Urn Jewellery
      • Keyrings
      • Horseshoe Print Jewellery
    • Memorials, Tributes & Markers
      • Memorial Stones & Slates
        • Pet Gravestones
      • Pet Memorial Candles
      • Sword Markers
      • Plaques
    • Books
      • Pet Bereavement Books
    • Charity
    • Christmas
    • Vouchers
  • Contact
    • How To Find Us
    • Join Our Team
    • FAQs
    • Feedback Form
Home Latest News Half of Brits Want Compassionate Leave Following the Loss of a Pet

Half of Brits Want Compassionate Leave Following the Loss of a Pet

Uncategorised

15/11/2019

As a nation of pet lovers it’s come as no surprise that a new survey has found that 50% of pet owning Brits want more companies to offer compassionate leave after the loss of a pet. Research conducted by pet website Wamiz.co.uk ahead of National Grief Awareness Week, which takes place from 2nd until 8th December 2019, confirms that there’s still some stigma around taking time off following the death of a pet.

Much of this comes from a lack of understanding from those who do not own pets, and 70% of those who took the survey confirmed they find it more difficult to talk about their sense of loss with non-pet owners. We know that the pain does fade with time but for the pet owners surveyed, 65% of whom had lost their pet over a year ago, nearly half (44%) said they still found it extremely difficult to talk about their loss.

We’ve seen an increase in stories about pet loss and grief in the news recently, with both Sia and Lorde speaking about how the loss of their respective dogs has impacted their lives. Grazia recently featured a story about taking time off work following the loss of a pet, featuring this account from Caroline who recently lost her dog. “When I called into work I was sobbing so hard that they thought one of my children had died” she says.

“Initially they were sympathetic, but when I told them I needed to take two weeks off to grieve they were angry. I know they talked about it behind my back, and that they thought I was being dramatic. But Scooter [Caroline’s dog] was my connection to my life before my children. I’d had him longer than my husband or my kids, and he was the only living being who had ever been there for me. I had grief counselling after he died, partially to try and cope with his death but also to process the shame associated with being so devastated by his loss. People thought I was being stupid, so I felt stupid. I realise now that you don’t choose how you feel about death.”

What are the rules surrounding compassionate leave for pet loss?

Currently there’s no law or guidance for companies to follow when it comes to giving time off work for pet bereavement. So, is it time that businesses became a bit more understanding when it comes to the connection between us and our pets?

Carrie Ball, who has been working as a pet bereavement counsellor since 2001, certainly thinks so. “For a lot of people losing a pet is just as devastating if not more so than losing a relative. The loss of a pet affects us mentally and has an impact on our day to day lives. So it makes sense from a business point of view that someone who is grieving should be given time off. A loss is a loss no matter the species. If you are too upset to work and the grief is affecting your performance then from a business point of view it makes sense to allow that person time off to grieve. Pet loss is often seen as a lesser loss, and it shouldn’t be.”

Carrie raises a good point – not only does our performance suffer while we are grieving, but it has a profound impact on our mental wellbeing. This could cause lasting effects, something we’re sure most businesses would not want for their employees.

How can pet cremation help with loss?

While some may not want to be reminded of their lost pet, 84% of those surveyed by Wamiz kept their pet’s ashes at home and 85% kept a physical keepsake such as fur clipping, paw print or photograph in their home. By using our services you can choose to have such items prepared for you by a member of our team to give you something tangible to remember your pet by. We also offer a wide range of urns and keepsakes that help you create a memorial that’s as unique as your beloved pet. Interestingly the research also found that over a third (38%) said that they would have liked a funeral or ceremony for their pet, so don’t put off looking into what type of pet cremation you would like. We have found that it’s always better to be prepared for these situations and knowing what your options are makes the whole process easier.

Wamiz’s UK Country Manager, Emilie Heyl, says: “Brits clearly bring their dogs and cats into the family fold and have as deep an emotional attachment to them, as they have to other members of the family or to friends. Whilst, in the past, the sense of loss following the passing of a pet may have gone unappreciated or ignored, at a time when mental health campaigners are urging us to talk through our emotions, or listen to others who are suffering mental health issues, it is vital that grieving pet owners can express their feelings at work and elsewhere.

“Other studies have shown 62% of owners say having a pet makes them feel happier and that 68% of older people feel better both mentally and physically when they live with a dog or cat. If the companions that support happiness and wellbeing are suddenly no longer around, the negative impacts of loss could be significant.”

At Dignity we deal with the negative impact of pet loss on a daily basis, so when one of our team is going through it themselves we try to be as understanding as possible. We offer time off for compassionate leave as well as support from our team who are trained in pet bereavement support.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, do you think more companies should be offering compassionate leave following the loss of a pet?

PREV

Christmas Gifts for Pet Lovers

NEXT

Letting Go of The Pain with Pet Bereavement Counsellor Carrie Ball

Services

  • Arranging Your Pet’s Cremation
  • Bereavement Support
  • Getting Your Pet To Dignity
  • Other Services
  • Our Prices

Help & Information

  • About
  • Stories
  • Latest News
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • Pet Keepsakes
  • Pet Memorial Jewellery
  • Paw Print
  • Caskets, Urns and Coffins
  • Memorials, Tributes & Markers

Legal

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Shop Terms & Conditions
  • The Meadow Room Terms & Conditions
  • Code of Practice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Dignity Pets logo

Follow us:

Get in touch

Get in touch

  • Dignity Pet Crematorium, Odiham Road
    Winchfield, Hook
    Hampshire
    RG27 8BU
  • 01252 844572
  • enquiries@dignitypetcrem.co.uk
  We plant trees with Ecologi

Opening Hours

Please find our opening hours below.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00AM – 5:30PM
Phones open: 9:00AM – 4:30PM

Wednesday: 9:00AM – 6:30PM
Phones open: 9:15AM – 4:30PM

Saturday: 9:00AM – 5:30PM
Phones open: 9:00AM – 4:30PM

Sunday & Bank Holidays: Emergency service only, please contact us for details

Stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.

Sign up today

© 2025 Dignity Pet Crematorium All Rights Reserved|Website by blue bee