OkcPets Magazine March 2021

March/April 2021 • OKC Pets 15 PETS WORK AT WORK PET-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES FEATURE F rom restaurants to office settings, any establishment can become pet-friendly, and statistics show there’s a myriad of benefits to being one of them. A study conducted by Nation- wide found 90% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces feel high- ly connected to their company’s mission, highly engage in their work and are willing to recom- mend their employers to others. According to “Better Cities for Pets,” 87% of employers say being dog friendly helps them at- tract and retain more talent. Furthermore, 59% of employees say they would choose an employ- er who is dog friendly over one who is not. Upping Your Pet-Friendly Game For workplaces that allow pets, employers can make the environment more pet friendly by adding hydration stations—automated water bowls for pets—or by creating a designated space for dog beds to help furry coworkers relax. Business owners can also select outdoor land- scaping and indoor plants with furry friends in mind. (Visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center for a list of toxic plants to avoid.) When You Can’t Host Pets Inside Train staff to explain the reasons why pets aren’t allowed. Be clear that you love pets, but it’s safer for them (or required by health codes) that they not be in your particular type of business. Offer pet-friendly takeaways—even if you can’t welcome pets, you might offer something pet owners can take home to their furry family members, such as a pet treat. For more pet-friendly ideas, visit the “Better Cities for Pets” website. In the meantime, we hope you’ll support the following local busi- nesses already working toward a pet-friendly community.