<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3kcRzm_0wNF2ACc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3kcRzm_0wNF2ACc00" width="1920" height="1280" ><figcaption>Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock</figcaption></figure>Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.In a groundbreaking move for pet parents, New York City Councilman Shaun Abreu is set to introduce a bill that would allow employees to utilize their paid sick leave to care for their animal companions and service animals. The proposal, aimed at amending the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, would expand the current provisions, enabling workers to prioritize their pets’ health alongside their own and other family members.<div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l7J-05iKBGE?feature=oembed" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>Source: CBS New York/YouTubeCouncilman Abreu, a Democrat from Manhattan, emphasized the mental health benefits of pet parenting, stating, “Keeping our pets healthy keeps us healthy.” Research supports this claim, indicating that pet parenting can lower cortisol levels— a hormone associated with stress— and encourage physical activity, which can alleviate symptoms of depression and social isolation.The timing of this legislation aligns with a significant trend: about two-thirds of American households now have at least one pet, with pet-related expenditures reaching a staggering $147 billion in 2023, according to the American Pet Products Association. While some cities, like Emeryville, California, have already enacted similar laws, New York’s initiative could set a precedent for broader adoption across the United States.However, not everyone is on board. Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, raised concerns about the financial implications for businesses. She noted that expanding sick leave could lead to increased operational costs, ultimately impacting the cost of living in New York City.As the debate continues, many workers, like Allie Taylor from Voters for Animal Rights, express uncertainty about employer reactions when requesting time off for pet care. With current provisions allowing up to 56 hours of paid leave annually for employees at larger companies, the proposed amendment could provide a critical lifeline for pet parents, potentially easing pressures on animal shelters as well.Please sign this petition to Demand Justice for 54 Dogs Who Were Abandoned at a Dog Park!Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content.Click here to Support UsEasy Ways to Help the Planet:<ul><li>Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.</li><li>Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.</li><li>Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.</li><li>Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!</li><li>Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.</li><li>Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!</li><li>Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!</li></ul></div></body>

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New York City Workers May Soon Use Sick Leave for Pet Care

Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong. In a groundbreaking move for pet parents, New York City Councilman Shaun...