A Norwegian pet supply company is giving employees paid time off to bond with their new pets. Musti Group, described as the largest pet supply company in the Nordic countries w ith more than 1,500 employees, began offering "pawternity leave" to employees, which consists of three paid days off when they acquire a new puppy or kitten.
Musti Group CEO David Rönnberg says the first few days a puppy is in a new home are vital to getting used to its new owner and environment
"Depending on the needs of each pet, the first days spent together can be rather intense, and sleepless nights are more than familiar to recent pet parents," Rönnberg said in a statement. "A baby animal requires constant attention and unconditional love. Paying attention to a pet's needs and spending time with them supports their learning, builds trust and helps prevent behavioral disorders in the future."
Henri Mäkinen, the marketing director of Musti Group, said other companies should offer their employees pawternity leave because it's good for the pet's well-being.
"Puppy socialization and training can't happen during evenings or weekends alone. A puppy might feel both insecure and lost in their new home, without the presence of their mother and siblings," Mäkinen said. "If a pet is left alone for too long, they will find all sorts of things to do -- not all of them necessarily pleasant to the owner."