Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of pet-related work absences, including those linked to veterinary care and emergencies.

The Government does not collect or hold information on the reasons for absence relating to the care of pets, including those linked to veterinary care and emergencies.

Employers are responsible for managing wider categories of employee absence, including any time taken for caring responsibilities relating to pets, in line with their own workplace policies.