Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Introduce bereavement leave for a pet dying

Closed 89 signatures

What the petition asks

Pet loss grief is valid. We think a legal right to pet bereavement leave would: support mental health; boost workplace morale; ensure equality; recognise pets as family; foster humane workplaces; promote responsible pet ownership; validate emotional bonds; and drive a societal shift.
Pet loss causes real grief. We think bereavement leave would aid mental health; validate the deep human-animal bond; boost employee morale & loyalty; and foster a compassionate workplace. We think the law should ensure a fairer, more consistent policy, reflecting pets' evolving family role. We think pet bereavement leave could drive a societal shift; normalise pet loss grief; promote responsible pet ownership; acknowledge pets as family, and modernise labour laws for a more humane society.

Timeline

7 Apr 2025 Petition opened for signatures
7 Oct 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 89
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 7 Apr 2025
Closed 7 Oct 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 14 Aug 2026.