Employers are being asked to consider signing up to the DSPCA's Pets at Work Scheme (PAWS) and extend a welcome to all "canine colleagues".
The Corporate Relations Manager for the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the scheme is about helping employers transition into a pet friendly workplace.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Susanne McGovern said the DSPCA provides a six-step guide on how to introduce pets into the workplace in a gradual way.
In the past employers have bucked against the idea because they think it might be complicated, or it might be a distraction for employees, when in fact it is completely the opposite, she said.
"There's lots of research there to tell us that it does actually increase employee morale, socialisation, engagement and productivity".
Part of the programme is that there is a pet-free zone within the workplace to respect those employees who do not want to be with the dogs or cats that may be present.
Also, part of the requirements are that your pet is toilet trained and reasonably well socialised with people and other dogs, she said, and staff sign a waiver that they promise to clean up any mess made by their pet.
Overall, PAWS is about transitioning and "it's not a thing of opening up the doors at the office and all the dogs run in on the first day, so it's a little bit of a process".
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Ms McGovern said that currently, Google and AirBnB have a pets at work policy and the DSPCA has helped these companies to make it work.
Recently there has been a large number of dogs being surrendered as people return to work after Covid-19 restrictions have eased.
"That's the last thing we want for families to do.
"Our pets are part of our family and that's the way they should be treated.
"You owe it to them to try everything possible for you to keep your pet," she said.
