With 59% of people in England owning a dog, return to office mandates aren’t as simple as switching back to full-time office work. Office experts Instant Offices explore how dog-friendly offices could be the key to easing this transition. Driven by the increased number of return-to-office mandates, search demand for ‘dog-friendly offices’ has risen by 414% in the last month. What was once a workplace novelty is growing in demand as more consider taking their dogs to work at least some of the time. With an estimated 3.2 million households in the UK welcoming a new pet during the lockdowns when remote working was the norm, employees were able to adjust their daily schedules to accommodate their pets’ needs.  Now, as more businesses enforce return-to-office mandates, many employees face the challenge of transitioning to office life and adjusting pet care schedules, which can be a significant source of stress contributing to the resistance many workers feel toward returning to the office. This is where dog-friendly offices can make a difference. By allowing employees to bring their pets to work, companies can help employees maintain the flexibility they have while working from home and ensure they can continue caring for their pets without disrupting their work-life balance. This approach not only makes the office environment more welcoming but also acknowledges the shift in employee needs post-pandemic, helping businesses retain talent and encourage a smoother transition to hybrid or in-person work

"The love we have for our pets and the unconditional love we get from them is profound," says Wondercide CEO Brad Locke, "Wondercide was founded with one woman's fierce love for her dog, Luna, so we're all about this holiday that celebrates the bonds we share and the care we give to each other."