Purpose This mixed-method research, grounded in social exchange theory, aims to explore how pet-friendly practices enhance employee well-being through their sequential effects on job satisfaction and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach The first study employed 65 qualitative interviews, revealing key benefits such as increased happiness, a calming effect and companionship, alongside challenges like distractions, interruptions and the need for frequent breaks due to pets’ high dependency. The second study, a 2-wave design with 1,220 participants, empirically validated the proposed model, demonstrating that pet-friendly practices significantly improve employee well-being by enhancing job satisfaction and work engagement. Findings These findings underscore the potential of pet-friendly initiatives as a strategic tool for fostering workplace well-being. Originality/value This study offers an original contribution by addressing the underexplored topic of pet-friendly organizational practices. In light of the increasing number of pet owners and the shifting social representations of pets as family members, there is a growing need to understand the implications of these practices in the workplace. By elucidating their potential effects on employee well-being and organizational outcomes, this study responds to a timely call for research that bridges human-animal interaction and workplace health management.

The first author dedicates this work to Jarbas and Kitty, for the quiet strength, the generous hearts and the unwavering support that have shaped every step of this journey.

Pet-friendly practices,Pets at work,Well-being,Satisfaction,Work engagement,Mixed-methods