For more than 15 years, Mars has been implementing a pet-friendly policy, with pet care being at the core of its culture. On the occasion of the global "Take Your Dog to Work Day," celebrated on June 21, Mars has made a guide and tools available to companies, institutions, and organizations for creating a high-quality work environment where four-legged friends are welcome. The document focuses on clear guidelines, specific suggestions, and examples for better management of a pet-friendly office.

The results of research by Mars and the Waltham Scientific Center show that pets bring benefits to the physical and mental health of people of all ages and prevent loneliness and isolation. Additionally, nine out of ten dog owners who brought their dogs to work say their presence improves happiness, reduces stress and anxiety, and increases the enjoyment of coming to the workplace.

Here are some tips on how companies can create a work environment that is safe and comfortable for pets and their owners:

Involve (and convince) management: The key phase of launching a pet-friendly office program is obtaining approval from the company’s management. It is necessary to be able to demonstrate the expected benefits of the program for the organization and employees.

Form a small team responsible for creating a pet-friendly policy: It is necessary to ensure that the working team includes people - both in favor of and against the presence of pets in the workplace - from different parts of the organization to ensure all needs are represented.

Establish a pet-friendly policy: The success of the program depends on the adoption of clear guidelines on the behavior and responsibilities of everyone involved. The pet policy should include:

Requirements for pets: Animals must be properly vaccinated, free of contagious diseases or parasites, clean and well-groomed, house-trained, obedient, well-socialized, and microchipped. Responsibilities of owners: Owners must be 100% responsible for the behavior, well-being, hygiene, and happiness of their pets while in the office, ensuring that their presence does not disrupt the comfort or ability of other employees to do their jobs.

Communicate the program internally (and externally): Internal communication of the pet-friendly office program, from planning to implementation, is crucial for involving all employees. This includes spreading logistical aspects as well as information that encourages enthusiasm. Once the practice is established, the possibility of developing an external communication plan to support the visibility of the project outside the company can be considered.

– At Mars, we strive to create a 'Better World for Pets': our four-legged friends enrich our lives, and it is our responsibility to adapt the spaces we live in to their needs – said Vanja Vagić, Corporate Communications Manager for Mars in the UBBAI region, adding: – This includes workplaces. It has been proven that the presence of pets in the office brings tangible benefits for companies and employees. Through these guidelines, we want to share the expertise we have developed over the years, aiming to achieve high standards for pet-friendly offices, ensuring that everyone can safely and responsibly enjoy the presence of their four-legged friends. –