83% say yes to pet bereavement leave, PD Insurance puts policy into practice
From October 1, PD Insurance will officially offer employees two days of Pet Bereavement Leave after the loss of a beloved dog or cat, recognising that for many people, the grief that follows can be profound.
The new discretionary benefit reflects PD Insurance’s commitment to employee wellbeing and its aim of creating a workplace where people feel supported through all of life’s moments.
And for Chief Operating Officer Michelle Le Long, it’s a natural step for a company whose people work with pets every day. “Our pets are another family member,” says Le Long. “We know how much they mean to people, and we know that when you lose one, you need time and space to breathe, remember, reflect and recharge.”
Under the new policy, employees will be entitled to two days of Pet Bereavement Leave when they lose a dog or cat that they own or that permanently resides with them at their primary place of residence.
And, before the policy was formally introduced, one of PD’s own employees experienced first-hand why that time can matter.
The loss of Harry
For Sheryl, PD Insurance’s Head of Operations NZ, Pet Bereavement Leave is deeply personal. Her beloved dog Harry, a Maltese, Bichon and Chihuahua cross, was 14½ when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. After his diagnosis, Harry joined Sheryl at the PD office, making their final months together especially precious. “It was devastating news knowing there was nothing that could be done other than make him comfortable and pain-free until it was time to say goodbye,” says Sheryl.
“Harry was more than a pet, he was family. Our pets are so precious, they love you unconditionally and Harry always knew when I needed a cuddle.” Sheryl says the support of her colleagues and Shore Vets in Devonport helped her through Harry’s treatment and his final days.
A dog-friendly workplace made precious time possible
Fortunately, PD Insurance is a pet-friendly workplace, meaning Sheryl was able to bring Harry into the office during his final weeks. “I was lucky to work in a dog-friendly office. When Harry was diagnosed, he came with me to the office every day until it was time to say goodbye,” she says.
“That time was so precious, and I am so grateful for the supportive work colleagues I have who allowed Harry to join us at work.”
It was this experience, and the support Sheryl received from PD, that helped inspire the formal introduction of Pet Bereavement Leave.
A benefit shaped by pet parents
The introduction of Pet Bereavement Leave also reflects what PD Insurance has heard directly from the pet-owning community.
In PD Insurance’s 2024 Pet Parent survey, people were asked: “Should employers allow their employees ‘pet leave’ to look after a sick pet or time to grieve a pet that has passed away?” 82.3% said yes.
When PD asked the same question in its most recent 2026 Pet Trends Survey, support had risen to 83.2%.
The responses illustrate just how significant the loss of a pet can be. “You lose a family member when you lose a pet. I lost a dog two years ago and I still cry about him sometimes.”
Another respondent said: “I’ll be broken when my girl goes, there’s no way I can make responsible decisions in the workplace.”
Others described pets as being “like children” and said they felt ineffective at work during the initial stages of grief, while another noted that there are practical matters to deal with when a pet dies and that having time to “get your head back on its shoulders” could help someone return to work productively.
For another respondent, the issue was simple: “Because losing a beloved pet is no different than losing a loved person.”
We work with people’s pets every day
For Le Long, the survey results reinforce what PD Insurance’s own employees as pet people already understand. “For PD, it would only make sense to offer this to our staff. They work with people’s pets every day, so it’s a very difficult situation to be in when yours has just passed,” she says.
“The response from our community has been incredibly clear. More than eight in ten people told us they believe employees should have support when a pet is sick or has passed away, and we’ve now decided to put that belief into practice for our own pet people.”
For Sheryl, the value of the policy goes beyond the number of days offered. “It's about recognising that this loss matters,” she says. “Having the space to grieve, to remember and to process what has happened can be an important part of healing.”
And Harry’s memory remains very much part of Sheryl’s life. “He was such a precious boy,” she says. “I’m grateful for the time we had together, and especially for those final days when I could have him with me.”
For a company built around helping people protect the pets they love, Le Long says extending that care to its own people was a natural next step.
“Our people give so much every day, and we want them to know that when life happens, including the loss of a much-loved pet, they don't have to pretend they're unaffected. Sometimes you just need a little time,” concludes Le Long.
