Veterinary medicine has always been driven by a mission of care for animals, people, and communities. Now, that mission is expanding to include another urgent priority: the health of our planet. This September, that commitment takes center stage with the launch of Sustainability September, a first-of-its-kind initiative uniting Veterinary professionals in 30 days of climate-conscious action.
Launched by The Bridge Club in partnership with Mars Veterinary Health, Sustainability September offers a month-long suite of practical, free, and easy-to-share tools to help practices of all sizes take meaningful steps toward environmental responsibility. From reducing energy use and waste to exploring clean energy alternatives, the campaign underscores a core truth: when Veterinary professionals lead on sustainability, real change happens.
The Urgency for Action
The environmental footprint of the Veterinary profession is significant. The broader healthcare sector, which includes Veterinary medicine, accounts for nearly four percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Yet this year, in the midst of swirling challenges, from rising burnout and mental health concerns to cost-of-living pressures and an increasingly complex political environment sustainability has, understandably, begun to take a back seat in many practices.
Sustainability September is designed to change that. It’s a reminder that while many of us already make planet-friendly choices in our daily lives, whether using reef-safe sunscreen or choosing reusable water bottles, there’s still more we can do, especially within our practices. Even small, consistent changes can create meaningful impact when adopted across the profession.
It’s time we recognize that sustainability isn’t a side issue — it’s a Veterinary issue. Sustainability September is about tapping into the compassion and leadership already at the heart of our profession and using it to drive environmental change.
Small Shifts, Big Impact
Each day in September, the campaign spotlights an actionable theme, from turning off equipment at night and using smart plugs to rethinking surgical supplies and recycling medical waste. A downloadable toolkit includes:
- A calendar of daily activities and themes
- Sharable social media graphics and infographics
- Podcasts featuring real professionals making sustainability work in their clinics
- A customizable pledge for individuals to commit to small, daily eco-conscious choices
Clinics are also encouraged to join a live, profession-wide “From Scrubs to Sustainability: Small Shifts, Big Impact on September 18, designed to showcase real success stories and foster collaboration across Veterinary organizations. Register for free here and get one CE.
A Movement Backed by Data
Recent research reveals that sustainability is no longer optional, it’s expected:
- 62% of pet owners want transparency about their clinic’s sustainability practices
- 52% say they’d pay more for environmentally responsible care
- Veterinary companies with strong sustainability programs see up to 30% better employee retention and morale
Margo Mosser, Director of Sustainability at Mars Veterinary Health, believes the opportunity is enormous. “One person, one practice, one profession, that’s the ripple effect we’re hoping to inspire,” she says. “When small changes are scaled across our industry, we can collectively lower our footprint and lead the way in sustainable healthcare.”
From Talk to Action
And it’s not just talk. At VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County, switching to 100% renewable energy through a local provider reduced their CO₂ emissions by nearly 400 tons annually. They’re also repurposing plastic medical waste and even recycling nitrile gloves into construction materials.
These stories show what’s possible — and Sustainability September is designed to make it easy for more practices to follow suit.
A Turning Point for Veterinary Medicine
With climate change and biodiversity loss accelerating, Veterinary professionals are stepping into a new kind of advocacy, one that protects not only the animals in their care but also the ecosystems they depend on.
This is a pivotal moment. We don’t have to wait for legislation or mandates. We can start now — together, as a profession — to lead with purpose and prove that Veterinary medicine doesn’t just care for life. It helps sustain it.
To take the Sustainability September pledge and access the free toolkit, visit: https://thebridgeclub.com/sustainability-september/
Register for the September 17 live conversation: https://thebridgeclub.com/event/from-scrubs-to-sustainability-small-shifts-big-impact/
Follow and share your journey using #SustainabilitySeptember, #TheBridgeClub, and #MarsVeterinaryHealth