#ElSalvador 🇸🇻 #BDS_LaborAlert: June 1st Declared Holiday for Presidential Inauguration
Recently, it was approved to declare June 1st a paid holiday for the private sector, in honor of...
According to the National Household Survey (ENAHO), it was determined that by 2024, 62.2% of households in Costa Rica have at least one dog or cat as a pet. This implies that approximately 1.7 million dogs and 956,185 cats live in Costa Rican homes. Additionally, it was found that there are approximately four times more dogs and cats than children under the age of 12 in Costa Rican families.
These data are striking, as they reflect a generational shift in awareness regarding the economic and social conditions necessary for raising children. In this context, dogs and cats have become an integral part of the family unit, now being regarded as members of the household—what is now referred to as a “multispecies family.”
Pet ownership entails responsibility, time, and patience, but it also offers various health benefits. According to the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), interaction with pets increases oxytocin levels, leading to a reduction in stress, blood pressure, and heart rate. Moreover, having a pet provides additional benefits such as reduced feelings of loneliness, improved mood, and emotional support.
On April 14, the company Royal Canin in Argentina introduced a special leave policy granting one day off to employees who adopt a dog or cat, with the goal of allowing the employee to accompany their new pet during its first hours of adaptation to the home—considered a crucial period for its development and well-being. According to the company, this measure reaffirms its commitment to pet health and welfare, while promoting responsible pet ownership. Similarly, in countries such as the United States, some companies have begun to offer time off to help pets adjust to their new home—a benefit commonly known as pawternity leave.
These types of initiatives spark a broader discussion on the need to modernize labor law, weighing the interests of all parties involved. It is worth recalling that the purpose of this legal field is to foster a healthier, more productive workplace with a stronger sense of belonging. The implementation of pet-friendly workspaces, the provision of pet insurance plans, as well as leaves for pet adoption or bereavement, goes beyond simple wellness policies—it reflects a cultural shift in how we view the relationship between personal and professional life.
In the specific case of Costa Rica, leaves of absence may be granted at the employer’s discretion or by mutual agreement between the parties, provided the leave in question is not expressly regulated by current legislation. At present, there are no legal provisions in Costa Rica that address leave for pet adoption or bereavement. Nevertheless, the implementation of such policies is feasible internally, as long as the employer chooses to offer them voluntarily as part of a strategy to enhance employee well-being and promote responsible pet ownership. This would also serve as a form of social responsibility, by supporting the adoption of many animals currently housed in shelters.
If a company intends to include pet adoption or bereavement leave in its internal policies, it is essential to seek legal counsel to ensure that such measures are implemented appropriately.
Ericka Montero Murillo
Attorney-at-law, , BDS Asesores
