A Thoughtful Approach to Take Your Dog to Work Day
FOUR PAWS promotes a wellbeing-first approach for pets in the workplace
Cape Town, 22 June 2026 — As South Africans look forward to celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day on 26 June 2026, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is encouraging pet owners and workplaces to approach the day with care, kindness and an understanding of each dog’s individual needs.
The initiative is a joyful opportunity to highlight the special bond between people and their dogs, while also showcasing how animals can bring comfort and connection into our daily lives. At the same time, FOUR PAWS reminds participants that every dog is unique, and not all will feel at ease in a busy office environment.
Understanding your dog’s needs
For some dogs, a workplace can be an exciting and enriching experience. For others, unfamiliar sights, sounds and interactions may feel overwhelming. Taking time to consider a dog’s temperament, past experiences and overall health can help ensure a positive experience. FOUR PAWS encourages pet owners to gently observe their dogs and respond with patience and care. Small signs such as restlessness or seeking quiet spaces may simply indicate that a dog needs a break or prefers a calmer environment.
Creating a positive experience for all
For offices that choose to participate, simple steps can help create a comfortable and welcoming environment:
- Bring only dogs that are well-socialised and comfortable around people
- Provide a quiet space where dogs can relax and rest
- Ensure access to fresh water, familiar bedding and routines
- Going outside regularly to stretch legs and have bio breaks
- Be mindful of colleagues who may have different comfort levels around animals
- Keep the day flexible, allowing dogs to return home if they seem unsettled
A thoughtful approach helps ensure that both people and animals can enjoy the experience.
Celebrating the bond, responsibly
Take Your Dog to Work Day is ultimately about celebrating the joy dogs bring into our lives. FOUR PAWS encourages South Africans to take part in ways that feel right for them and their pets, whether that’s bringing a dog into the office, adjusting the workday, or simply spending extra quality time together working from home.
For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za
/ENDS
Deidre Daniels
Public Relations Officer9B Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park,
Green Building, Cape Town, 7945
A Public Relations professional with over eight years’ experience in fostering positive relationships between organisations and media.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za