Banfield® charitable efforts helped over 145,000 pets in need in 2016

In 2016, Banfield Pet Hospital cared for more than 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats through its network of more than 960 hospitals across the United States and Puerto Rico. But the company is, and always has been, more than a hospital network. Within and beyond its hospital walls, Banfield, along with its associates, partners and pet owners, continued to put its passion for pet well-being into practice with a year’s worth of community-focused initiatives. Each action added up to impact more than 145,000 pets in need across the country last year. Highlights from 2016 include:

• Company-sponsored volunteerism: More than 2,800 Banfield associates volunteered over 11,500 hours in 144 U.S. cities, impacting more than 94,000 pets and people.
• Disaster relief: Meeting the most acute needs, Banfield helped more than 5,000 impacted and displaced pets following catastrophic flooding in West Virginia and Louisiana.
• Free veterinary care for shelter and rescue animals: Well-being became more accessible to more than 900 pets from 81 shelters who were treated by Banfield leading up to new hospital openings in 45 local communities.
• Free veterinary care for pets in need: Banfield donated more than $230,000 in veterinary services to help 326 pets through its HOPE Funds program, which provides life-saving veterinary care to pets of critically low income pet owners.
• Preventive care clinics: Veterinarians provided preventive pet care at 12 clinics, providing 760 pets with services including wellness exams, vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention, flea and tick treatment and more.
• Environmental stewardship: Banfield’s new corporate headquarters received LEED* Platinum certification, the highest designation possible from the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to other environmentally sustainable efforts, more than 4,200 trees were saved thanks to recycling within Banfield hospitals.
• Banfield Foundation: In its second year, the foundation awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to support more than 140 pet-related non-profits, helping nearly 45,000 pets.

Beyond efforts directly impacting pets, Banfield also established the Banfield Better Together Fund™, a nonprof­it established to help meet critical needs of associates in the aftermath of a natural or manmade disaster. Since its launch in September 2016, the nonprofit has already provided tax-free grants to several qualifying associates impacted by both floods and fire.

“At Banfield, Corporate Social Responsibility goes beyond our individual commitments and programs—it is reflected in the heart of how we operate responsibly as a business,” said Vincent Bradley, Banfield president and CEO. “As we look ahead to 2017, I am excited to embark on another year of working together to impact the pets and people we serve, the com­munities where we live and work, and the broader veterinary profession.”

Banfield is committed to using our unique resources, reach and relationships to improve the well-being of pets, people, communities and the veterinary profession. In February 2017, Banfield will release its full 2016 Corporate Social Responsibility report, including a comprehensive review of all charitable giving and community service programs.

For more information visit Banfield.com/Community or BanfieldFoundation.org.

*The LEED rating system is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

About Banfield Pet Hospital^®

Founded in Portland, Ore., in 1955, Banfield is the largest general veterinary practice in the world. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Inc. family of businesses, and today it is more than 960 hospitals strong in neighborhoods across the United States and Puerto Rico. More than 3,000 veterinarians at Banfield are committed to giving pets the highest quality of veterinary care. Banfield hospitals offer a full range of comprehensive medical services, computerized medical records, preventive care plans for pets and extended operating hours. Banfield Pet Hospital helps extend the lives of millions of pets each year through Optimum Wellness Plans^®. For journalists seeking more information contact the Media Hotline at 888-355-0595.