Pets require a lot of attention when you first get them. Like, a lot.

Sometimes you, as an adoptive parent, are compelled to bunk work and tend to your fur babies. Very few workplaces though understand this need to allow "pawternity" time.

But, now there's one from India, and possibly the country's first.

Publishing giant HarperCollins India has announced pawternity leave for its pet-adopting employees. Starting this year, they will be entitled to a week's — or 5 working days' — paid leave if they have just adopted a pet, HuffPost Indiareported.

This is aimed at encouraging responsible adoption of pets who need as much love, attention and a caring environment as human babies. Or perhaps more.

In addition, the publishing house will also let its employees bring their pets to office and keep them in designated animal-friendly areas.

"We want the very best of work-life balance for our colleagues, and that includes being mindful about their family needs," HCI chief Ananth Padmanabhan was quoted as saying.

Time off for pet-adoption is a novel concept still.

Some years ago, Petplan, the UK's largest pet insurance provider, found that 1 in 5 pet-owners were willing to sacrifice up to three weeks holiday time for their puppies. However, only 5 percent of employers offered them 'pup-ternity' leaves.

India, which recently altered its maternity leave policies too, had never seen pet adoption in this light. Until now.

People on social media have hailed HarperCollins for the move.

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Paaawwww!