Should New Yorkers be allowed to take a sick day to care for their pets?
Should New Yorkers be allowed to take a sick day to care for their pets? 01:45
NEW YORK — Is it legal to take a sick day to care for your pet? That’s what a proposed amendment to New York City’s paid vacation and sick leave law would allow.
The proposal – Introduction 1089 – would make it legal for pet owners to use sick time to care for service or companion animals. It is sponsored by City Councilman Sean Abreu.
“We want to make sure people feel comfortable taking care of their animals,” he said.
Abreu said the amendments aim to improve mental health in the city.
“We need to do more about the mental health crisis,” he said. “There is a resource that is directly available to us, and that is pet ownership.”
“Just petting a cat or dog can really make people feel better,” said Jasmine Hollis, local events coordinator for Best Friends Animal Society. “Research shows that even just making eye contact with a cat, dog, or other pet releases the love hormone oxytocin.”
Abreu said there is still a long way to go before the amendment becomes law. It was just introduced Wednesday, and his goal now is to get the bill out of committee. If ultimately passed, the law would go into effect in 120 days.
“They’re like your family.”
All New Yorkers interviewed by CBS News New York agreed with the proposal.
One dog owner said, “She’s my fur baby. She’s the love of my life…If she gets sick, I’m not going to leave her home alone.” said about her pet.
“Giving some people peace of mind that they can take care of their animals if they need to can be a good thing overall for workers,” said Chelsea resident Ron Benjamin.
“I don’t see any reason not to do it,” said Jenna Mastellone, an Upper West Side resident.
Another said: “I think that’s a good thing because they’re like family.”
Vanessa Murdoch
