Apart from the odd tank of tropical fish, it was rare to walk into a professional office building 20 years ago and encounter pets in the workplace.

Today, more employers, including the BC SPCA, are realizing the benefits of allowing their staff to bring their furry, four-legged family members to work.

According to the Humane Society of the U.S., dogs in the workplace can increase productivity, boost morale, strengthen employee relationships and reduce stress.

Read The Province newspaper story on the office pets at the SPCA's Provincial Office, The Shore 104 FM radio station and the Richmond News.

Employers who are interested in allowing dogs at the office should consider establishing a workplace pet policy that clearly sets out the responsibilities of dog guardians and the behaviours that are expected of his or her canine companions. The policy should also take into account the welfare of the pets – for example, dogs who are troubled or anxious being at work are not suitable candidates.

Incidentally, Take Your Dog to Work Day, which is held every year in June, was created in 1999 by Pet Sitters International to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. Find your perfect match at a BC SPCA branch near you and adopt now!

More than 20,000 animals a year are adopted from BC SPCA shelters. You can help us care for them before they are adopted by supporting the BC SPCA's Highest Priority Needs Fund, which pays for sheltering, medical care, spay/neuter, rehabilitation and rescue of homeless animals. Please donate today.

Photo caption: Marley (above) is one of dozens of furry friends who join BC SPCA Provincial Office staff during a normal work day.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.