Colombia recently opened the way for paid leave for to the death of a pet. Although there is still no law requiring employers to grant paid leave for the death of a pet, a recent decision by Colombia’s Supreme Court of Justice has opened a path that could transform how companies handle these situations.
The debate is taking place in a clear social context: More and more households identify as multiespecies families, where dogs, cats, and other animals are not seen merely as pets, but as members of the family unit. This reality has fueled calls for the working world to recognize the emotional impact caused by their loss.
Paid leave for the death of pets in Colombia: A judicial precedent shaping the debate
The turning point came with ruling SL2375 of 2025 by the Supreme Court of Justice. In that decision, the high court upheld a collective agreement that granted workers one day of paid leave following the death of a pet. While the ruling does not create a general obligation for all companies in the country, it does set an important legal precedent.
Currently, Colombia’s Substantive Labor Code only recognizes bereavement leave for the death of close family members, such as parents, children, spouses, or siblings. Pets are not included in this regulation. However, the Court acknowledged that companion animals can play a fundamental role in people’s emotional lives and that their loss can generate genuine grief, with emotional effects that may even impact job performance.
In practice, this means that paid leave for the death of a pet is only enforceable when there is a union agreement, an arbitration ruling, or a voluntary decision by the employer that explicitly includes it. In other words, it is not yet a universal right, but one that depends on what has been agreed upon within each organization.
Cultural change and a bill under debate in Congress
The judicial recognition did not arise in a vacuum. According to official figures, a majority of Colombian households live with companion animals and identify as multiespecies families. This cultural shift has led institutions to begin rethinking traditional concepts of family and mourning.
In its analysis, the Supreme Court highlighted this very social transformation: Pets are not merely property, but sentient beings that form deep bonds with people. The decision reflects this evolution in legal thinking, although still with limitations.
At the same time, Congress is studying a bill that seeks to turn this leave into a mandatory right. If approved, Colombia could join the trend of formally recognizing the emotional impact of a pet’s death in the workplace. However, the initiative also faces resistance from sectors that believe this type of loss should not be equated with that of a human family member.
As the debate continues, experts recommend that workers review their companies’ internal regulations and collective agreements. They also suggest promoting the inclusion of this benefit through workplace committees or union negotiations.
For now, leave for the death of a pet is not yet law, but the judicial precedent and legislative discussion show that the issue is no longer marginal and has become part of the country’s labor agenda.