The Congress of Peru has received a legislative proposal introducing a day of compensable work leave for employees who suffer the loss of a pettogether with the creation of a National Register of Domestic Animals (RNM).
The measure, presented by MP Rosángella Barbarán, aims to recognize the emotional impact of the death of a pet and to facilitate a mourning period without compromising work productivity.
According to bill no. 9606/2024-CR, the permit would be valid for both public and private employees and would include only one working day to recover within six months. To take advantage of the benefit, the worker must register the animal in the RNM in advance and present official documentation certifying the death. Leave day compensation ensures that the initiative for employers.
They also want to create a National Pet Registry
As mentioned, the proposal is not limited to the work aspect, but also includes the creation of the National Register of Domestic Animals. This tool intends to improve the control of the animal population, counteract abandonment and promote the welfare of pets.
The RNM could also favor campaigns of vaccination, sterilization and prevention of diseases transmissible between animals and humans, thus contributing to public health. Furthermore, each animal would be associated with a responsible owner, encouraging greater awareness towards the care and protection of animals.
Congresswoman Barbarán explained that the initiative aims to recognize the growing relevance of pets in people’s lives, underlining how their loss can have an emotional impact similar to that of a family bereavement. The law, he added, represents a step forward for give value to animals and the emotional relationship they establish with their owners.
Despite support from some, the proposal sparked discussions on its practical impact and on the bureaucratic burden linked to the management of the register and the verification of the death. However, the initiative could become an important precedent in recognizing the role of pets in society and in the workplace, stimulating other countries to do the same.
