Hoping to send the message that pets are life-long partners not
disposable accessories, a Japanese maker of medicines for animals has
begun giving employees who own dogs or cats a monthly "family
allowance" for their pets.

The number of pets in Japan has grown with greater affluence and a
falling birth rate and there are now more pet cats and dogs than
children under age 15, but about 310,000 cats and dogs are put down
annually, said Tokyo-based Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corp.

"Everyone has
the right to own a pet, but they also have the obligation to raise the
pet for its whole life," the company said, explaining why it had
decided to offer employees who own dogs and cats a "family allowance"
of 1,000 yen ($9) per month.

"In the future, it is our dream that
this system will spread not just in the pet business but to other
Japanese firms," the company said in a statement.

Kyoritsu Seiyaku does not yet allow its employees to take paid
leave to grieve when their pets pass away, as does one Japanese pet
food maker, but may do so eventually.

"For now, we have
introduced only the allowances, but we want to consider the condolence
holiday system in future," a company spokeswoman said.

Via Reuters