Mars Veterinary Health served as the Sustainability Sponsor at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida last week. The event, attended by 30,000 industry professionals from 86 countries, followed the release of the company’s inaugural Environmental Sustainability Update, which outlines sustainability efforts across its global network of over 2,300 veterinary clinics, including Banfield, BluePearl, and VCA.
The company hosted a Sustainability Hub with practical engagement activities and led a continuing education session, How to Practice Sustainable Veterinary Medicine, providing insights, lessons learned and practical strategies for reducing waste, improving efficiency, and advancing sustainable care practices.
The Environmental Sustainability Update highlights Mars Veterinary Health’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and addressing critical challenges including climate change and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Given veterinary healthcare's role as a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pharmaceutical waste, the company has committed to expanding sustainability initiatives in collaboration with partners across the veterinary and healthcare industries.
Mars Veterinary Health’s efforts align with Mars, Incorporated's broader sustainability goals of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and a 50% reduction by 2030. To support these goals, the company is investing in sustainable technologies, trialing innovative solutions, and implementing scalable best practices across its global operations.
The report outlines several key milestones achieved to date, including:
Banfield Pet Hospital has also released its ninth annual Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report in partnership with the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). The report focuses on antibiotic stewardship, building upon last year’s findings on sustainable veterinary practices.
Sustainability is increasingly seen as essential by both veterinary professionals and pet owners. According to a recent survey, 76% of veterinary staff believe it is very important for their clinic to prioritize environmental sustainability. Similarly, 65% of pet owners want to be informed about their veterinary clinic's efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
Mars Veterinary Health aims to meet these expectations by embedding sustainability into its operations and sharing best practices across the global veterinary sector.