Sustainability in the SATH

As a big veterinary hospital, caring for over 10.000 pets every year and with just under 200 members of staff, the SATH is very aware of its carbon footprint. Both the staff and the management feel very strongly that we must take responsibility and try to improve our sustainability, striving to continuously do better!

With a view to this end, a sustainability working group was created at the end of 2020 and after some initial monitoring and recording of resource usage and waste disposal, an action plan has been created and is updated regularly. You can find our sustainability policy here.

Our sustainability champion is Rita Goncalves, who is part of the neurology service and also the Sustainability Lead for Liverpool Vet School.

Several steps towards becoming more environmentally sustainable have been taken over the years but the SATH is seeing this as a long-term project that should constantly evolve and progress; some examples include:

  • We have significantly reduced our single use materials and replaced them with reusable alternatives whenever this is safe and does not affect our strict infection control policies
  • Our anaesthesia team closely monitors and records our anaesthetic gas use and reduces this whenever possible through use local blocks in the majority of surgical procedures and low flow anaesthesia; nitrous oxide is not used
  • We have improved our waste disposal, increasing our recycling options and reducing our clinical waste volume by adding an offensive waste stream (which carries a reduced carbon footprint)
  • We try to organise litter picking events, green travel to workdays and wild flower planting in the campus
  • We have on ongoing project aiming to increase biodiversity on site and have introduced bird feeder stations, baths and bird boxes around the campus

The SATH sustainability working group works closely with the School of Veterinary Science’s one and the University of Liverpool’s dedicated sustainability team. The University has an ambitious sustainability strategy that amongst other initiatives, is aiming to reach net zero by 2035 and embedding sustainability throughout the curriculum in every degree.

The Liverpool Veterinary Sustainability Society (LVSS) was created by our own students in 2020, aiming to introduce sustainable initiatives within the vet school and the local community and working alongside the staff of all the veterinary hospitals at Leahurst. We make sure we keep in touch with the LVSS representatives so we listen to any suggestions they have and try to support their projects. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please email the sustainability team - vet-sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk.

How you can help

  • Ensure you do not dispose of unused medication at home. This should not go into normal household waste so please bring them back to us and we will dispose of them correctly through incineration to ensure they do not contaminate the environment.
  • You can get reusable puppy pads for toilet training. We use them at the SATH with many patients and this has allowed us to significantly reduce our single use non-recyclable plastics!
  • Consider using biodegradable or recycled cat litter and ensure dog poo bags are fully compostable (not just biodegradable).
  • Look into eco-friendly toys, collars and pet beds – there are loads of options currently available!
  • Keep in mind that obesity in our pets not only increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes but also increases their carbon footprint because they will consume larger amounts of food, which will use up natural resources and generate emissions and waste. Keeping your animals healthy will also minimize the need for medications and interventions, reducing the carbon footprint of animal healthcare.
  • Follow best practice when using anti-parasite treatments in your pets. We know that the use of these medications is having a damaging impact to the environment but they are often necessary. We have added some further information and guidance to this topic below. Please read carefully and ask us or your vet for further information if necessary. When you know better you do better!

What is the One Health approach?

The "One Health" concept is a way of thinking about health that recognizes how closely the wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment are connected. When we care for our pets the choices we make - especially around medications - can affect not just our animals, but also wildlife, ecosystems and people.

Why We’re Rethinking Routine Parasite Treatments

In recent years, experts have raised concerns about the widespread, routine use of parasite treatments (like flea, tick, and worming products) in pets. Whilst these medications are important and often necessary, using them too often - or without a clear need - may be harmful:

  • To animals: overuse can lead to side effects or make parasites more resistant to treatments.
  • To people: some parasites can spread between animals and humans.
  • To the environment: many parasite treatments are toxic to insects like bees, wild birds and aquatic life like water insects and fish. These chemicals can end up in rivers or soil after pets swim, bathe, or go to the toilet outside.

Environmental contamination may occur from:

  • Bathing pets following use of topical spot-on and spray products (wastewater from homes)
  • Swimming in lakes, streams and rivers following use of topical spot-on and spray products
  • Pee and poo from animals treated with parasiticides
  • Discarded fur following grooming
  • Incorrect disposal of unused products/packaging

In farm animal and horse healthcare, there are concerns over high levels of resistance to parasiticides due to misuse and overuse. Whilst this is not currently a known threat in small animal healthcare, it could become an issue and maintaining the efficacy of these products is important. This is a complex problem, with potential conflict between the needs of animal health, human health, and the health of the wider ecosystem.

A Smarter, Safer Way to Use Parasite Treatments

Understanding Your Pet’s Lifestyle

Your vet may ask about:

  • Where your pet goes (e.g. parks, farms, or just your garden)
  • Whether they swim, go to kennels, or travel abroad
  • If they live with other animals
  • Who else is in your household (e.g. children, elderly, pregnant people, or those with weakened immune systems)

This helps your vet work out which parasites your pet is actually at risk of catching and which treatments are necessary.

Using the Right Product for the Right Reason

  • Your vet will choose the most appropriate product to protect against the parasites your pet is likely to encounter.
  • Wherever possible they’ll recommend narrow-spectrum treatments that target only the parasites of concern, rather than broad treatments that affect many other creatures.
  • For example, if your dog likes to swim an oral tablet may be a better choice than a topical spot-on that could wash off into the water.

Practical, Everyday Advice for Pet Owners

  • Know the signs of parasites: scratching, scooting, visible worms in poo, coughing (with lungworm), or sudden weight loss. This allows you to bring these concerns to your vet’s attention so that your pet can be checked for the presence of parasites and appropriate anti-parasite medication can be given if needed.
  • Check your pet regularly for fleas and ticks, especially after walks in long grass. At-home tick removal tools such as the “Tick Twister” can be used. Your local veterinary practice can demonstrate how to use these tools or online videos are available.
  • Always pick up poo and dispose of poo and pet fur in waste that will go to landfill.
  • Dispose of treatments responsibly, such as empty pipettes or packaging - recycle if possible.
  • Clean your home: washing pet bedding in hot water and hoovering regularly can help keep parasite numbers down.

Making Treatments Work Better and Safer

  • Talk to your vet about how and when to apply treatments - what works for one pet owner might not work for another.
  • Follow advice on bathing and swimming after applying topical products - many need time to absorb before your pet gets wet.
  • If your pet swims a lot, your vet might either suggest using oral treatments instead or using topical treatments that last longer (e.g. every 3 months instead of every month) so you don’t need to apply them as often.
  • Only use these medicines on the animal they are prescribed for, use the correct dose, and apply according to instructions
  • Avoid spillage and return any unused products to your vet
  • Dispose of packaging according to the manufacturer’s instructions (or pass to your vet for disposal)

Keeping Track and Reporting Problems

  • Your vet keeps records of the treatments your pet receives and how well they work. If any side effects occur or you think a treatment hasn’t worked, tell your vet - they can report it to the manufacturer and national monitoring systems.
  • By working together with your vet and choosing parasite treatments wisely you can help keep your pet healthy while also protecting your family, your community, and the environment.

In Untreated Animals Ensure

  • Regularly check your pet for fleas and ticks and treat promptly if seen.
  • Regularly vacuum your pet’s environment and clean bedding.
  • Regularly bathe and comb your pet.
  • Prevent scavenging and hunting and avoid raw feeding.