A New Trend in Kaohsiung Offices: Pets Go to Work!

　When pets become part of the office, the atmosphere instantly feels warmer and more welcoming. At the Kaohsiung City Government's Agriculture Bureau, as soon as you open the door, you might see a cat gracefully walking along the windowsill, a duck pecking at its owner's shoelaces under a desk, or a furry little face peeking out from behind a computer screen or a stack of documents. "These pets are our colleagues," says Director Yao Jhih-wang（姚志旺）. Many employees have said that their pets experience separation anxiety when left alone at home. However, bringing them to work has made a big difference. Now, these pets not only feel safer but also enjoy being with their owners all day long in the office. It's heartwarming to see how this change has positively affected both pets and their human coworkers.

　The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) has undertaken a similar initiative. The sound of a golden retriever panting happily, with its tongue out and tail wagging, fills the corridor. It's their monthly "Pet Day," explains Artistic Director Jian Wun-bin（簡文彬）. Jian Wun-bin shares this touching effort, highlighting that Weiwuying has also welcomed stray dogs into their community and given them a job as a patrol team. This commitment reflects a deep compassion for animals, as they ensure these furry friends receive regular health checkups and foster a loving, supportive environment. 

　To better accommodate these furry companions, the Agriculture Bureau has created a pet-friendly office space with designated toilet areas, play zones, and a first-aid station. At Weiwuying, coworkers naturally look out for each other's pets, fostering a strong sense of teamwork. Working alongside animals has become a highly valued aspect of the job, bringing warmth and comfort while promoting workplace values of respect and inclusiveness.

從家到職場 毛孩上班去！高雄職場新萌景
文/蘇宇翎  
 
    當毛孩成為辦公室的一員，氣氛也隨之柔軟起來。在高雄市政府農業局，一推開門，窗臺上可能有隻貓咪優雅踱步，柯爾鴨則在桌腳間啄著主人的鞋帶，毛茸茸的小臉偶爾探出頭來，又或者藏在電腦螢幕與公文堆間。局長姚志旺說：「這些毛孩都是我們的同事。」他分享，有員工的寵物原本有分離焦慮，一起上班後狀態反而穩定許多。

     同樣傳出寵物聲響的是衛武營國家藝術文化中心（以下簡稱衛武營）辦公室廊道間，黃金獵犬吐著舌、興奮地發出「嘿嘿」的喘息聲──因為今天正好是他們每月一次的「寵物日」。衛武營藝術總監簡文彬分享，除了每月寵物日，他們還收編流浪狗組成巡邏犬小隊，並定期健康檢查，展現對動物友善的理念。

    為照顧毛孩們的需求，農業局特別規劃完善的寵物友善空間，包括如廁區、遊戲區及簡易急救站等；在衛武營，同事間也默契十足，會彼此協助照應動物。與寵物共事，早已成為員工最期待的時刻，不只帶來溫暖與療癒，更是職場中對「尊重」與「包容」的實踐。