Zoetis Announced As Principal Sponsor Of The Newly Titled Animal Medicines Amnesty
2 months ago 
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Zoetis UK Ltd today announced that it is the principal sponsor of the Animal Medicines Amnesty (formerly the Antibiotic Amnesty) 2025 campaign. The Animal Medicines Amnesty is run by the Responsible use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine Alliance (RUMA CA&E),
The Animal Medicines Amnesty has evolved from a sole focus on antibiotics to encourage vet practices to work with their clients to encourage the return of all types of out-of-date and unused veterinary medicines for appropriate disposal. The Animal Medicines Amnesty is led by a collaboration of UK veterinary organisations, practices and charities to educate owners about the importance of the appropriate use and disposal of all pet medicines in order to address issues such as AMR (antimicrobial resistance), protect pet safety and prevent environmental pollution.
Steve Howard, Secretary General of the RUMA Companion Animal and Equine Alliance, which runs the annual campaign, said: “We’re very pleased to have Zoetis supporting the Animal Medicines Amnesty this year. Their backing helps us raise the profile of the campaign and reach more of the profession, encouraging even greater participation. Every medicine returned is a step forward—it ensures appropriate disposal, protects the environment, and reduces the risk of any misuse. That’s a win for animal health, for people, and for the planet.
“Reducing the threat of AMR through responsible disposal of Antibiotics will still form a core focus of the campaign messaging, but RUMA CA&E and the campaign stakeholders recognise the need to broaden the message to educate owners on the appropriate use and disposal of all medicines, not just antibiotics. That’s why we have evolved the campaign this year to include any veterinary medicines. Some of the campaign’s focus for example, will now be on the appropriate use and disposal of parasiticides, that’s particularly important after recent research findings identifying the presence of some of these products in waterways.”
Jonny Lambert, BVetMed MRCVS, CA Veterinary Lead from Zoetis said: “We are proud to support this vital initiative, to help ensure the responsible use of animal medicines. The appropriate disposal of all veterinary medicines is pivotal to their responsible use. We are all accountable, not only for safeguarding the animals in our care with the appropriate use of veterinary medicines but also for ensuring that the environment we share remains protected. We applaud every practice that’s participating in the campaign.”
During the Animal Medicines Amnesty campaign, veterinary practices across the UK are encouraged to share messages with their clients about the potential harms of storing unused/unwanted veterinary medicines in their homes, the risks of sharing or using them at a later date on their pets, and the harmful environmental impacts of disposing of them via domestic waste or into sewage. It is hoped that the campaign will drive participation, not only across the veterinary profession but also in support of the education of pet owners about their crucial role in medicines stewardship.
Last year, in its previous format as the Antibiotic Amnesty, the campaign secured the return of 2,148 antibiotic tablets, 136 topical preparations, 47 injections and 82 bottles of oral liquid preparations. 2024 also saw the return of other medications such as parasiticides and hormones in addition to antibiotics. In the category of ‘other’, practices reported the return of medications such as NSAIDs, pain relief, steroids, heart medication and ear drops.
Steve continued: “We would encourage practices right across the UK to get involved - a toolkit is available on the RUMA CA&E website which has everything practices need to take part. We will be doing all we can to share the campaign far and wide to raise as much awareness, engagement and participation as possible.”
How can practices get involved?
- Talk about the Animal Medicines Amnesty and share resources with your practice team to get everyone onboard.
- Include details of the amnesty in client newsletters, vaccination booster reminders, on social media and your website, and display posters in your waiting room.
- Add stickers to packets of tablets or prescription bags.
- Have conversations with clients about the risks of not using or disposing of veterinary medicines responsibly, and encourage them to return any unused medicines to the practice for appropriate disposal.
- Contact clients who have had medications such as antibiotics dispensed in recent months to tell them about the Amnesty and prompt them to return any leftovers.
- Order a spare pharmaceutical bin for use during the campaign to collect returned medicines. At the end all returns will need to be counted and details fed back to RUMA CA&E (details of how to do this will follow in early December).
A campaign toolkit has been developed for practices, including waiting room posters, pre-written social media posts and graphics, newsletter content, a client information sheet, and practice guidance documents. These are available to download from the RUMA CA&E website.
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