Recent National Study Shows that Pets Provide More Benefits to Companies than Management Classes
Courtesy of APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.)

Greenwich, CT - In today's fast-paced world, bosses are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to enhance performance levels. In a recent nationwide survey, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) found the solution to easing corporate nerves and enhancing office efficiency was as easy as placing a pet in your work environment. Having pets in the office created a more productive work environment among 73 percent of the participating companies. Also of interest, 27 percent of the participating companies had a decreased absenteeism rate.

These findings and more were uncovered when APPMA surveyed companies nationwide that allow pets including dogs, cats, fish, small animals, reptiles and birds in the workplace. The survey revealed that the many health-enhancing benefits of pet ownership - including reduced blood pressure, lower stress levels, and improved overall emotional and physical health - also translate in an office environment. All of the companies polled, 100 percent, agree that having pets in the workplace relaxes employees.

"Since offices have such high activity and stress levels, it presents the ideal environment to study the health benefits of pets," said Funda Alp, spokesperson for APPMA. "Once pets were introduced into these work environments, stress levels dropped, leading to happier, healthier employees, with more motivation, creativity and productivity... all essential to success."

Highlights of the APPMA sponsored survey include:

A Purr-fect Work Environment
Computers, fishy friends and teleconferencing - One hundred percent of the companies polled said that they would continue to have pets in the workplace.

Brainstorm Sessions, That's Something To Bark At!
With Polly and Fluffy in the office, ideas are continuously tossed around - Seventy-three percent of companies polled indicated that having pets in the workplace leads to a more creative environment.

We Are Really Cranking Now
Parrots leads to productivity - Pets created a more productive work environment among 73 percent of the participating companies.

There's No Place Like My Office
Fewer sick days with pets in the office - None of the companies with pets in the office had an increased absenteeism rate, in fact 27 percent of respondents had a decreased absenteeism rate.

Forget the Seminars, Slither up to Snake
Pets help build employee relations - When companies compared business development or management training classes to having pets in the workplace, companies stated their interpersonal skills improved 73 percent with pets in the office compared to 42 percent from the classes.

Just Relax
Puppies take me away - One hundred percent of the participating companies agree that having pets in the workplace relaxes employees.

I Love This Place
No need for an office retreat - Having pets in the office has created positive work-relations for 96 percent of the participating companies.

Who's Ordering Dinner?
Overtime is in the cards with pets - With pets in the office nearly 58 percent of employees stay late.

This Is A No Smoking Area
Petting zoos are smoke free - 92 percent of companies with pets in their office have 25 percent or fewer employees who smoke.

Founded in 1958, APPMA is the nation's leading not-for-profit trade organization serving the interests of pet product manufacturers and educating the public on the many joys and health benefits associated with pet ownership. APPMA's membership consists of more than 600 companies which include both small businesses as well as the nation's leading pet product companies.