Leading Animal Health Organizations Chart a Path Toward a Sustainable Future for Veterinary Medicine

New whitepaper from Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) features environmental sustainability insights for the veterinary profession from Mars Veterinary Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill's Pet Nutrition, MWI Animal Health, Virbac Corporation, and Zoetis

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today published a new whitepaper, Healthy Planet, Healthy Pets: Toward Sustainability in the Veterinary Profession, focused on environmental sustainability efforts among leading U.S. veterinary groups. Outlining best practices related to waste reduction, pharmaceutical stewardship, energy and water usage, and stakeholder engagement, the whitepaper seeks to inspire industry-wide action to create a more sustainable future for veterinary medicine.

"HABRI is honored to convene leading companies in veterinary medicine to share best practices on environmental sustainability, so we can all learn from one another and embrace shared sustainability goals that strengthen our community and protect the human-animal bond," said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. "These leaders are charting the path forward for a more sustainable future for people and pets."

Veterinarians and pet owners desire—and deserve—greater levels of transparency, action, and accountability regarding environmentally sustainable practices. Sixty-five percent of pet owners want to be informed about efforts their veterinary clinic makes to reduce environmental impactsⁱ, and 76% percent of veterinary staff feel it's important to know their clinic strives to be environmentally sustainableⁱⁱ.

Created to help meet rising expectations and inspire change, the whitepaper spotlights best practices and outlines future strategies to increase sustainability across the industry – from the exam room to the board room. Contributing companies include Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Mars Veterinary Health, MWI Animal Health, Virbac Corporation, and Zoetis.

"Urgent environmental issues require profession-wide action," said Margo Mosher, Global Head of Sustainability, Mars Veterinary Health. "Our connected Mars Veterinary Health network is honored to support this publication as a catalyst for stronger industry-wide collaboration, and we hope it inspires meaningful action to address the environmental challenges facing our profession—and the pets and people depending on us."

The whitepaper spotlights unique projects, programs, and innovations from the contributing companies, many of which clearly demonstrate the business case for sustainability initiatives.

"Efforts towards sustainability are incredibly important as they have the potential to not only cut down on waste, but they can also save veterinary practices valuable time and physical effort," said Julia Loew, Chief Commercial Officer, MWI.

"Collectively, we are pioneering a new era in the animal health industry by focusing on carbon reduction in our supply chain, utilizing sustainable ingredients and recyclable packaging materials, and driving social impact by creating meaningful opportunities for all people to succeed. At Hill's, these efforts reflect our dedication to delivering science-led nutrition products that are not only beneficial for pets but also for the planet," said Yvonne Hsu, president of Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Spotlighted projects include Hill's new 'smart' plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas, a showcase in green building design; Boehringer Ingelheim's Sustainable Development Excellence (SDX) program which formalized employee efforts with sustainability education through a partnership with the University of Georgia; MWI's reusable tote program to eliminate single-use cardboard and Styrofoam while reducing the number of deliveries and having a further positive impact on emissions; Mars Veterinary Health piloting a first-of-its-kind anesthetic gas capture technology to help prevent harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere; Virbac's effort to minimize packaging and thereby reducing cardboard waste by discontinuing the use of individual cardboard displays for toothpaste; and Zoetis' long-term sustainability strategy Driven to Care, that offers a framework for organizations of any size that want to integrate sustainability goals into business operations.

"Our approach is rooted in our desire to create long-term value for partners and build trust with a wide range of stakeholders so we can accelerate positive impact together," said Shari Westerfeld, Vice President, U.S. sustainability customer engagement, Zoetis.

"By challenging long-standing practices and embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, we're not only shaping the future of animal health, but also crafting the blueprint for a more sustainable world, together," said Giovanni Abruzzini, president and CEO, Virbac North America.

While each company's approach is unique, a set of common themes emerged from the whitepaper collaboration that can help shape the efforts of others in the industry:

• Leadership from the top
• Hardwire sustainability into all processes
• Strong employee engagement
• Ongoing stakeholder input
• Best practice sharing

"We believe sustainability initiatives gain momentum through collaboration," said Kelly Rotkewicz, Executive Director of US Sustainability, Boehringer Ingelheim. "We've made our model open and accessible in hopes of inspiring similar efforts in the industry."

The Healthy Planet, Healthy Pets: Toward Sustainability in the Veterinary Profession whitepaper is available at www.habri.org/sustainability. And a special thank you to Mars Veterinary Health for the collaboration and funding that made this publication possible.

About HABRI
HABRI is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization that funds scientific research on the human health benefits of companion animals; educates people about the important role of pets for personal and public health; advocates for polices to strengthen and grow pet ownership; and plays a key role in convening the pet care community to work together on important issues affecting our shared future. For more information, please visit www.habri.org.

About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.  

About Cencora
Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our 51,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #18 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $290 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at cencora.com.

About Hill's Pet Nutrition
Founded more than 75 years ago, Hill's Pet Nutrition has been committed to providing pets with the best nutrition through extensive research and a scientific understanding of their specific needs. Their team of nearly 200 veterinarians, PhD nutritionists, and food scientists constantly strive to develop innovative solutions for pet health. Hill's offers a full line of products, including their Prescription Diet therapeutic nutrition and Science Diet wellness products, which are available at veterinary clinics and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about their products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com.

About Mars Veterinary Health
Mars Veterinary Health is a global division of Mars Petcare dedicated to delivering high-quality pet healthcare in service of its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. The Mars Veterinary Health family of practices includes nearly 70,000 Associates across North America, Europe, and Asia who are united in delivering high-quality veterinary care when and where pets and their owners need it. As part of a family-owned business with more than 30 years of experience in veterinary services, Mars Veterinary Health makes long-term investments to support its Associates and contribute to the future of veterinary medicine through clinical excellence across its connected care network. Learn more at marsveterinary.com.

About Virbac
At Virbac, we are constantly exploring new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the majority of animal pathologies. We develop care, hygiene and nutrition products to offer complete solutions to veterinarians, farmers and pet owners around the world. Our purpose: advancing the health of animals with those who care for them every day, so we can all live better together.

As of 2024, Virbac boasts 6,400 employees, marking a 16.4% increase from 2023. With sales subsidiaries established in 35 countries, the company achieved 1,397 million in sales, attributing 62% to companion animals and 38% to farm animals. This performance secured our position as the 6th largest veterinary drug manufacturer worldwide, reflecting a 7.5% growth at constant exchange rates and scope compared to the previous year. The company's global footprint is further solidified by production sites in 12 countries and R&D centers strategically located across 5 continents. For more information, visit www.virbac.com.

About Zoetis
As the world's leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company's leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

ⁱ Deluty, S. B., Scott, D. M., Waugh, S. C., Martin, V. K., McCaw, K. A., Rupert, J. R., ... & Duncan, C. G. (2021). Client choice may provide an economic incentive for veterinary practices to invest in sustainable infrastructure and climate change education. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 622199.

ⁱⁱ Schiavone, S. C., Smith, S. M., Mazariegos, I., Salomon, M., Webb, T. L., Carpenter, M. J., ... & Duncan, C. G. (2022). Environmental sustainability in veterinary medicine: an opportunity for teaching hospitals. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 49(2), 260-266.

CONTACT: Hayley Maynard
[email protected]
614.701.8205

SOURCE Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)