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More than four in 10 pet owners have 'pulled a sickie' from work - because of their PET, it has been revealed.
A study of 2,000 pet owners shows they felt compelled to take the equivalent of one week out of the office in a year due to worries about their pet.
But despite being a nation of pet lovers, 26 per cent didn't feel they could be honest with their employer the real reason for needing unplanned time off.
And dog owners are most likely to need time out to care for their pooches as dogs cause 77 per cent of all pet related 'sickies'.
And sadly almost half of pet owners have felt forced to take time off after the loss of a beloved pet, as they couldn't face a normal day's work because they were so heartbroken.
In fact, they have taken three days off in a year due to the death or loss of a well-loved family pet.
It was also found that 65 per cent of pet owners have taken time away from their desks to be able to attend a vet appointment with their four legged friend.
The study was commissioned by Blue Cross pet charity, which offers a free Pet Bereavement Support Service to help people who have lost a pet, be it through death, change in circumstances or theft.
Tracie McGrory, Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service Manager, said: "Pets are part of the family and losing one can be devastating.
"Taking compassionate leave for family is obviously understandable, but when it comes to our pets, sadly many people don't realise the deep emotion losing one can bring.
"Sometimes people find it hard to talk openly with others when they are dealing with emotions brought about by pet loss, especially when it comes to work colleagues.
"Our pet bereavement volunteers talk to lots of grieving pet owners who feel they can't face going into work because they think their employer won't empathise."
It was also revealed that one in 20 pet owners find it so hard to cope with the loss of a pet, they've even cancelled important meetings to grieve.
And half of animal owners with kids would allow their children to take the day off school to come to terms with their loss.
The research found one in ten pet owners will work from home following the loss of a pet, but of those who chose not to give their employer the real reason why, 56 per cent said it was because they didn't think their boss would understand.
A further quarter said they were worried what the consequences might be if they were honest with their employer, and one in seven thought they would be laughed at.
The worry extends out of the work place too, as six in ten feel as though people close to them don't understand what they're going through when they've lost a pet.
Sixty four per cent of these believe it's because they're not animal lovers, while half said it was because they'd never experienced the loss of a pet.
Worryingly, almost one quarter of grieving pet owners have kept the loss of a well-loved animal completely to themselves.
Reasons being they didn't want to bother anyone with their problems and they 'just didn't want to have to talk about it'.
But it was found this didn't help the situation as it made it harder for them to get over it and made them feel worse.
Tracie McGrory added: "Coping with the loss of a beloved pet can be very difficult and it can really help to talk to someone who understands.
"Our Pet Bereavement Support Service is free and confidential and we are on the end of the phone or email 365 days of the year for those who need us."
Blue Cross cares for over 40,000 sick, injured and homeless pets every year. The charity's free Pet Bereavement Support Service can be contacted by visiting www.bluecross.org.uk/pbss or by calling 0800 096 6606.
Show your #suppawt for Blue Cross. To help change the story for sick, injured and homeless pets. Text SUPPAWT to 70907 to donate £5* or visit www.bluecross.org.uk
*text charged at standard UK rates
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