Did you know there are jobs where you can bring your pet to work?
Bringing a pet to work might have once seemed impossible, but now workplaces are much more pet friendly, so it’s becoming more common to see people working next to their pets all day. And, with the increase of remote and hybrid jobs, it’s even easier to bring your pet to work with you.
In my own home, both my husband and I work at home, and we also have three dogs. They nap next to our desks, keep us company on breaks, and remind me to step away from the computer for walks. Working with them right next to me makes our days more enjoyable and less stressful.
Not everyone wants to bring their pet to work with them, but if you’re one of those people who do, there are quite a few jobs that let you do so.
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11 Best Jobs Where You Can Bring Your Pet to Work
Below is a list of places you can bring your pet to work.
1. Pet store employee
If you work at a small, locally owned pet store, you may be able to bring your pet to work, especially if the store allows pets on the premises, your animal is well-behaved and social around other people, and your boss or company policy allows it. In general, pet stores are one of the most pet-friendly workplaces around.
I have been to many small pet stores where there’s been a sleeping pet behind the counter, so I know this is real!
As long as your pet is not disruptive, up to date on vaccinations, and is leashed or contained appropriately, you may be able to bring your pet to work, depending on the company.
Now, since there will most likely also be many other animals that come into the store (customers may bring in their own dogs, for example), you will want your pet to not be an overly excitable dog. Relaxed dogs are typically best for this type of environment.
2. Dog walker
If you’re a dog walker, you may be able to bring your own dog on walks, and sometimes it may even be encouraged. If your dog is well-socialized, leash-trained, and your clients approve, you may be able to bring your pet to work with you.
Keep in mind, you’re responsible for your dog and your client’s dog(s), so make sure you can properly take care of both safely. Be upfront with the clients because some will like the idea (their pet gets to socialize with another animal), but other clients may not like it because they might either want the focus to be on their dog only or because their dog does not do well with others.
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3. Dog treat baker
As a dog treat baker, you can (and should!) bring your dog to work to be the treat tester. Bringing your pet to work is even easier if you work at home from your own kitchen, you run your own small business, or the workspace is pet friendly. Your pet can even be part of the marketing content and help you create tasty treats for dogs.
Keep in mind, your kitchen needs to be clean and food safe, and you need to follow health codes if you’re selling treats commercially. Some commercial kitchens don’t allow pets due to food safety regulations.
I also recommend signing up for the free training How To Start a Dog Treat Business From Your Kitchen. This is a free workshop that will teach you how to start your own dog treat bakery business.
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This free workshop will teach you how to start your own dog treat bakery business.
4. Doggy daycare
Working at a doggy daycare is one of the easiest places you can bring your dog, and many places will even offer free or discounted daycare for employee pets.
If your pet is well-socialized, passes the daycare’s temperament test, is vaccinated, and can handle being in a group setting, your dog will likely be allowed to come to work with you.
The benefits of bringing your dog to doggy daycare are endless, including your dog getting free playtime and socialization, saving money on dog care while you’re at work, and getting to spend the day together!
5. Dog trainer
Dog trainers sometimes are able to bring their dog to work, especially if it’s a well-trained dog that can be used as an example during training. If you’re doing demonstrations and need a trained dog to model behaviors, this is a great time to bring your dog to work.
Your furry one may also help set the tone for the class, helping other dogs become calmer. Your dog should be nonreactive to other dogs and people and be focused enough to work in distracting environments (because typically, in a class, there are many high-energy dogs that need to be trained, of course!).
6. Truck driving
A lot of truck driving jobs allow you to bring a pet onboard, especially since you’ll be alone most of the time. Some companies have official pet rider policies, such as Roehl Transport and Werner Enterprises, and more.
If you own and operate your own truck, that typically means it’s your truck and your rules, as long as it’s within safety and insurance guidelines.
Some important things to keep in mind if you don’t own your truck are that there may be breed, weight, or species restrictions. Some companies may even require a pet deposit or a monthly pet fee. Your pet must be house-trained, calm, and safe in a truck environment.
I’ve seen a lot of trucking videos on YouTube, and these people almost always have a dog or cat with them, which reduces loneliness and stress on the road.
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7. Freelancing from home
If you work from home as a freelancer, you’re likely working from a computer or laptop, which means your pet can definitely “come” to work with you.
In my case, both my husband and I work from home (I’m a freelancer; he works remotely for a company), and our three dogs are always part of our workday. They curl up at our feet, give me reasons to take stretch breaks, and more. Having them nearby not only keeps us company but also makes our home office feel a lot less like “work” and a lot more like a happy, comfortable place to be.
There are a ton of freelancing jobs to choose from, including:
- Proofreader
- Bookkeeper
- Virtual Assistant
- Freelance Writer
- Sleep Consultant
- Web Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
- Online Tutor
- Video Editor
You can find jobs on places like Upwork, Fiverr, and FlexJobs.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Freelance Sites To Find Jobs And Make Money
This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
8. Amazon
Amazon is a dog-friendly company, but not all departments are able to bring their dogs to work. This is available at certain offices only, such as their Seattle headquarters (however, I did read that it’s available at over 100 of their offices, so it seems quite normal).
You do need to register your dog with the company and get approval from your manager and those who work closely with you.
More than 15,000 dogs are registered, so it is very popular! Amazon even has a whole article about their dog policy, which is a fun read – Meet some of the dogs who help make Amazon a great place to work.
9. Google
Google is known for being super pet friendly, so if you’re lucky enough to land a job at one of Google’s offices, you may be able to bring your pet to work with you.
Google even has dog-friendly zones, water bowls, and sometimes even pet events.
Pets must be well-behaved, socialized, and under control with a leash or in a designated area. Some Google offices require pre-approval before you can bring your pet to work and may have limits on how many pets can be present.
10. Chewy
Chewy is a pet company, so it’s no surprise that their work culture is pretty pet friendly. They are known as one of the best companies that let you bring your dog to work, too!
Most Chewy offices allow employees to bring their dogs to work and often have pet amenities, encouraging a pet-loving workplace. Dogs need to be vaccinated, well-behaved, and comfortable around other people and animals.
Policies vary by location, so you need to check with your office’s policies first.
11. PetSmart
If you work in the corporate side of PetSmart, you can probably bring your dog to work, as PetSmart is known for being a pet-friendly environment.
The FAQ section on their website even states that healthy and well-behaved dogs are welcome in the office and call center. Before bringing your pet to work, make sure to check the policy of your specific location and department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about jobs where you can bring your pet to work.
Do all of the jobs above really allow you to bring your dog to work?
Not every job will automatically let you bring your dog, but many of the ideas above are flexible or self-employed, so you can set the rules. For example, if you’re a freelance writer or dog walker, you’re likely working alone or outdoors, which makes it easy to have your pet with you.
Jobs like a farmers market vendor or a pet sitter may depend on the client or location, so always ask first.
And, if it’s a job like Amazon or Chewy, then your dog needs to be well-behaved. Your dog can’t be barking all day long or be a distraction. If your dog is well-behaved and a good listener, many of these jobs can absolutely be pet friendly.
Are you allowed to bring your dog to work?
Whether or not you’re allowed to bring your dog to work depends on where you work, policies, insurance regulations, and more. It’s best to check in with your human resources department to see if you’re allowed to bring your pet to work.
What companies allow you to bring pets to work?
There are quite a few companies that allow you to bring your pets to work, and the list is growing. Some of the most popular companies that may allow you to bring your pets to work include:
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Salesforce
- Zynga
- Slack
- Petco
- Airbnb
- Purina
- Kong
- Chewy
- Trupanion Pet Insurance
- Procter & Gamble
- Ben & Jerry’s (corporate office)
If you’re looking for more options, some of the best dog-friendly companies are ones that sell pet care and pet food-related items because that’s their target market. So, you could also see what is available in your local area by starting with that.
What jobs can you do if you want to work with animals?
If you want to work with animals, there are many jobs available out there. You can work as a:
- Veterinarian
- Vet Tech
- Dog Trainer
- Animal Behaviorist
- Service Animal Trainer
- Pet Groomer
- Dog Walker
- Pet Sitter
- & more!
Why do companies let you bring your dog to work?
Companies sometimes let you bring your pet to work because it can help with employee morale, increase job satisfaction (for example, for some people, if they can bring their dog to work, they may be more likely to stay with the job long-term because being with their dog makes them happy), help with anxiety, and more. Many dogs are pretty chill during the day (dog behavior is so important because, for example, if you have a very high-energy dog, they most likely won’t do well sitting at a reception desk all day).
Best Jobs Where You Can Bring Your Pet to Work – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on jobs where you can bring your pet to work.
There are quite a few places you can bring your pet to work, whether you’re going to an in-person setting or working from home.
I personally love it when people bring their pets to work, as it is usually a more relaxing and fun environment (as long as the pet is well-behaved, of course), and I love being able to pet animals while I’m running my errands!
Do you want to find a job where you can bring your pet to work?
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