So says Tokyo-based pet food maker Hill's Colgate Japan Ltd., which provides money and gifts on the births and deaths of its employees' pets, as is customary for human family members of employees.
The idea was started by the company's president, Yoshio Koshimura, who said pets were important family members.
According to the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this is the first time a firm has had such a policy for pets.
The company, based in Koto Ward, gives 10,000 yen to its employees when they get a dog or cat and when their pets give birth.
The company also gives 10,000 yen and a message of condolence when pets die and allow the pet owners a day off to mourn.
To receive the benefits, the employee has to submit a form with their pet's name and photograph.
Since the regulation was enacted in November, 32 employees, or about one-third of of the company's workforce, have registered 30 dogs and 24 cats.
Two employees have received benefits from the regulation so far. One, a male employee who got a Chihuahua in April, received 10,000 yen and 4 kilograms of dog food.
Sachiko Honjo, 39, from the marketing planning division, who has had a cat named Momoe for 15 years, said: "Momoe is my dearest daughter. We now have an insurance system for pets, so it's good if this regulation has become popular."
According to a survey by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, Japan, the number of pet dogs and cats has increased nationwide, with 13,068,000 dogs last fiscal year, up 4.9 percent from previous year, and 12,097,000 cats, up 4 percent from the previous fiscal year.
The number of condominiums that allow pets has also increased, popularizing the idea of pets as part of a family amid the trend toward having fewer children.
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