The first two veterinary practices in Europe to achieve the coveted B Corp certificate, have joined forces to encourage a sustainability movement amongst the veterinary industry.
Pennard Vets passed the rigorous B Corp accreditation process last September and was promptly followed by Animal Trust, the not-for-profit vets. Certified B Corps are companies that meet exceptionally high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The B Corp process is run by the not-for-profit B Lab, and it examines a company’s full range of processes, from supply chain to charitable giving and employee benefits.
Dr Caroline Collins, from Pennard Vets, which has seven practices in Kent, said: “This month is B Corp month, where the growing global B Corp community join together to celebrate what it means to be a B Corp. We are keen to raise awareness of the process, what it entails and why it is worth doing.
“It’s great that we have achieved what we set out to do as an ethical environmentally aware business, and that Animal Trust have done the same, but for more impact and a bigger, sustainable future for all, we want to try to develop a greater movement. That is why we are keen to help guide other veterinary practices through the process, so that they can benefit from what we have learnt. We will be offering free, one to one mentorship for anyone interested in going for the B Corp accreditation.
Owen Monie, founder, and CEO at Animal Trust, which has 11 surgeries across the UK, said: “We are a community interest company and Pennard Vets are employee owned, but any practice can become a B Corp. We’re a company with a social heart and being here to help the pet-owning community is the reason we exist. Our B Corp status is official recognition of everything that we represent and marks a major milestone on our journey to becoming the leading veterinary provider that delivers for the community.”
Dr Collins added: “Hopefully our combined knowledge and experience of the B Corp process will be of value to other veterinary practices thinking of going for it. There are so many possible ways to make good practices even better, as well as a force for good for their own people, clients, community, and the wider planet.”
Other well-known names that have achieved B Corp status outside the veterinary sector include Patagonia, The Body Shop, BrewDog, TOMS, Ben and Jerry’s and Innocent Drinks.