Vets4Pets, part of the Pets at Home Group, has helped to protect more than 2,000 acres of woodland during the first year of its Pet Memory Scheme.
The scheme sees Vets4Pets practices across the UK make an annual donation to the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, to celebrate the lives of the pets they have looked after.
In the first year of the scheme, over 400 Vets4Pets and Companion Care practices participated and collectively donated more than £280,000 to the protection, restoration and creation of areas of woodland across the UK, which covered more than 2,000 acres and contained over one million trees.
This vital work is helping to protect the natural biodiversity in our native woodlands and capture carbon across the country.
It forms an integral part of Vets4Pets’ pledge to create, protect and restore 20,000 acres of woodland by 2030 as part of its Our Better World Pledge.
Amy Whidburn, head of social value at Vets4Pets, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the Woodland Trust and it’s been amazing to see our vet practices across the country rallying behind the cause.
“The woodlands we’re helping to create, restore and protect will not only create a space for people and pets to enjoy together for years to come, but they also offer a physical space for reflection and remembrance.
“We know that there are simply no words which can console the loss of a beloved pet, but we hope that this lasting tribute will provide a small comfort to families who have had pets in our care.”
David Moorcroft, CEO of the Woodland Trust, added: “The Woodland Trust is delighted to be celebrating the first year of the Pet Memory Scheme, which is the first one of its kind for the Trust. The impact of the partnership is significant – supporting our work to create, protect and restore woodland right across the UK. We are looking forward to continuing to work together with the Vet Group to make a difference to our woods and the wildlife that they support.”
The scheme forms part of the Group’s partnership with the Woodland Trust and supports its Our Better World Pledge, which includes commitments to positively impact the life of every pet in the UK by 2030, enhance the lives of one million people by 2030 through a shared love of pets and to become net zero by 2040. All will play a vital part in helping the Group achieve its mission of becoming the most responsible pet care business in the world.
