The shift to widespread remote work changed companion animal welfare significantly — positively for some animals through increased company, negatively when transitions back to office created separation problems.
The mass experiment in work-from-home demonstrated both the welfare benefits and risks of close owner-animal cohabitation. Animals who gained constant company and enrichment during the home-working period benefited significantly — then faced sudden, prolonged separation when office working resumed. The animals who suffered most were those whose owners had not anticipated or prepared for the transition. The lesson for future work transitions is clear: abrupt changes in owner presence patterns require proactive behavior support to prevent separation anxiety.