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countrigal
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I find it interesting that everyone assumes that animals in the office must refer to cats or dogs... I know MANY offices that have aquariums in them. Fish are animals too, and I think that is where the 1 of every 5 offices in the US statistic may come from. I do not see that many offices really allowing cats and dogs in, though I know of several (especially mom and pop places) that do have one or the other. Employees know about it beforehand, so if it's not to their liking, they can work elsewhere. Same with customers... if they see the pet and don't want to be around it, then don't go into the store. It's all a personal choice, and it is the owner's personal choice to bring their pet to their workplace and not hire/maintain workers that don't like it, or keep customers who don't like it.
As for cleanliness of pets... I know most of the dogs that are brought into the workplace are bathed regularly, are not allowed to run around outside and roll in all sorts of stuff, even have their teeth brushed daily, and basically are cleaner than any kids running in and out of the house. Animals that go into hospitals and nursing homes and such must graudate a behavior class, to ensure that they are well behaved in a myriad of circumstances, are clean, etc. and have been shown to lift spirits and improve the health of the patients. Is it for everyone, no. Do you have the option of having one visit? yes.
As for some facts... not all animals shed, and there are hypo-allergenic dogs that are cute and cuddly! Animals are discriminating about where they do their business and many are trained to go in specific areas or locations. Not all animals are allowed to climb all over furniture, this is a personal decision one makes with each pet. Depending on how responsible the owners are, the type of pet, etc, one can have a pet and no one else, including someone entering your residence, would ever know it was there. The same goes for a pet in a business.
Do I think that pets should be allowed willy-nilly in any business? No. Do I think that there are some where it is appropriate or acceptable? Yes. Would I like to work at one? Yes. However, I do not feel that an office where folks are tied to a computer all day doing office work is the best business for them to be around. Could I see some around construction offices? yes. In a high-rise corporate office? no. But I'm sure that someone out there has done it and it worked... and some have tried and it failed, in both instances.
Great topic... made me think.
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