For a growing share of your team, family looks less like two kids and a minivan, and more like a golden retriever curled up on the couch. That shift is rewriting the benefits playbook. For millennials and Gen Z — now the majority of the workforce — pets are family. Many are delaying home ownership or parenthood but investing heavily in pet care. Meeting that need shows your company understands today’s workforce and is willing to back it up. 

That’s why pet insurance is moving from fringe perk to front-line strategy in the fight for talent.

Why pet insurance is on the rise

51% of pet owners consider their pets as much a part of their family as a human member, according to Pew Research Center. At the same time, veterinary costs are absolutely soaring. 

An emergency visit can run $800–$1,500, while advanced treatments can hit $10,000+. That’s not just a financial shock — it’s an emotional one. Stress at home doesn’t stay at home; it follows employees into work.

Surveys show the impact: a significant share of employees — especially younger workers — would consider leaving a job if it conflicted with caring for their pet.

More than a perk: real protection that resonates

Pet insurance isn’t a novelty perk, it’s financial security. It spares employees from having to choose between their wallet and their pet’s health, and that peace of mind pays off in focus, engagement, and loyalty.

The companies leading the way aren’t stopping there. They’re experimenting with pet stipends, wellness accounts that cover vet costs, and even pet-friendly office policies. The benefits that feel personal are the ones that stick. When leadership invests in what actually matters to employees, loyalty follows.

Orchard has partnered with Vetster

Orchard is proud to partner with Vetster, Canada’s leading virtual veterinary care platform! 

With 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians, digital prescriptions, and exclusive discounts on pet insurance, Vetster makes it simple for employees to care for their pets anytime, anywhere. For founders and HR leaders, it’s a modern, affordable way to add a high-impact benefit that resonates deeply with today’s workforce.

Five Ways Vetster Supports Your Team (and Their Pets)

Vetster isn’t included in standard coverage, but through Orchard Benefits, you get preferred pricing, making it one of the most affordable ways to bring 24/7 virtual vet care and pet support to your employees. Here’s why many plan sponsors are adding this on for their teams.

• 24/7 Virtual Vet Care: Secure video calls with thousands of licensed veterinarians, plus follow-up live messaging.
• Prescriptions Made Easy: VetsterRx sends prescriptions directly to a local or online pharmacy for fast pick-up.
• Always-Accessible Medical Records: Employees keep secure records for every visit, no matter where they go.
• Nationwide Availability: Coverage across all provinces and territories makes it easy to support a distributed team.
• 40% Discount with Orchard: Exclusive pricing makes Vetster Plus one of the most affordable ways to add pet care to your plan. 

Why Pet Insurance Makes Sense for Employers

Retention Without Raising Salaries
Employees say they’d leave for a stronger benefits package — even if it came with lower pay. Pet insurance is a relatively low-cost way to boost loyalty without inflating payroll.

Reduces Financial Stress
A single emergency vet bill can come with a hefty price tag. Covering that risk eases a major source of financial anxiety, which directly improves focus and productivity at work.

Resonates With Today’s Workforce
Millennials and Gen Z now dominate the workforce, and many are delaying home ownership or children but investing heavily in pets. Pet coverage shows you understand where they’re at in life.

Competitive Differentiator
In a tight labor market, unique benefits stand out. Offering pet insurance signals empathy and innovation, qualities that attract top talent, especially in tech.

Scalable and Flexible
Through partners like Vetster, employers can offer virtual vet care and discounted insurance nationwide, with minimal admin lift. It’s a benefit that works just as well for distributed or hybrid teams.

The bigger picture

The goal of any benefits strategy is to meet employees where they are. Not every benefit applies to everyone, but when nearly three in five workers say they’d leave for a stronger package, even with lower pay, small signals carry weight.

Adding pet insurance isn’t just about pets. It’s about telling your team: we see you, we understand what matters in your life, and we’re willing to invest in it. That’s the kind of message that builds loyalty, culture, and long-term retention.