Zoetis Unveils 2024 Sustainability Progress Report, Showcasing Global Commitments to Communities, Animal Health, and the Planet
Zoetis, a global leader in animal health, has released its 2024 Sustainability Progress Update, titled “Advancing Sustainability in Animal Health for a Better Future,” marking the fifth consecutive year the company has reported on its purpose-driven sustainability strategy. This year’s publication outlines notable progress made under Zoetis’ comprehensive “Driven to Care” framework—a corporate ethos rooted in building long-term value for stakeholders while addressing the interconnected needs of people, animals, and the environment.
Through concerted actions across three key pillars—Communities, Animals, and the Planet—Zoetis continues to embed sustainability throughout its business model. The latest report affirms the company’s evolving role in advancing public and animal health, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship, while fostering trust and transparency among its global stakeholders.
A Strategic Vision for Sustainability
“Zoetis contributes to a healthier future for communities, animals, and the planet thanks to our colleagues who demonstrate their commitment to the Driven to Care strategy and are empowered to advance our company’s purpose,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zoetis, and President of the Zoetis Foundation.
She emphasized that the company’s actions are not only impactful on the ground but also strategically aligned with long-term business objectives. “By embedding our sustainability strategy across our business, and through purposeful partnerships with our customers and other stakeholders, our actions address challenges at the intersection of people, animals, and the environment,” she added.
Strengthening Communities Through Service and Support
Zoetis’ commitment to uplifting communities remains one of the core foundations of its sustainability strategy. In 2024, the company made significant strides in community engagement, philanthropy, and talent development.
One of the standout achievements was the company’s colleague volunteerism, which totaled 20,404 hours—a 23% increase over 2023 and surpassing Zoetis’ internal goal by 2%. Employees are encouraged to participate in community service through paid volunteer time, allowing them to support animal welfare, public health initiatives, and vulnerable populations within their localities.
The Zoetis Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, continues to be a catalyst for positive change. In 2024, the foundation awarded $11.3 million in grants aimed at enhancing the education, well-being, and livelihoods of veterinarians and livestock farmers. These grants are part of a larger philanthropic effort that has disbursed $26.2 million since 2021. This year’s grantmaking included $3.5 million dedicated to veterinary education, which will provide nearly 500 scholarships to students pursuing careers in animal health.
In addition to philanthropic grants, Zoetis Inc. directly invested $8.9 million into community-focused programs. These efforts facilitated veterinary care access for approximately 322,000 pet owners and helped deliver critical care to over 428,000 animals affected by disasters, such as wildfires, floods, or disease outbreaks.
Zoetis also fostered an inclusive and engaging workplace culture, reflected in an 86% colleague engagement rate. This achievement stems from robust internal programs, including talent development initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and a comprehensive suite of employee benefits. These offerings are all grounded in the company’s Core Beliefs, which prioritize collaboration, integrity, and a growth mindset across its global workforce.
Driving Innovation in Animal Health
Zoetis’ pillar focused on animal health continues to be a cornerstone of its business and sustainability strategy. In 2024, the company expanded its R&D initiatives, forged strategic partnerships, and launched solutions designed to address global challenges affecting animal health and food security.
A key highlight was the launch of a strategic partnership with Danone, aimed at leveraging Zoetis’ expertise in genetics to promote more sustainable cattle breeding in the dairy industry. The collaboration seeks to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact—a crucial step toward meeting global climate and food system goals. In parallel, Zoetis initiated a research collaboration with AgNext, a Colorado State University initiative, to help bridge data gaps and create more robust sustainability metrics for the cattle industry.
Amid rising global concerns around Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Zoetis responded with agility by deploying existing avian vaccines to protect endangered species. In the United States, the vaccines were used to safeguard California Condors, while trials were conducted on five species of endangered birds in New Zealand, demonstrating the company’s commitment to biodiversity and conservation.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Zoetis scaled up its efforts through the African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A. Plus) initiative. In 2024 alone, the program delivered treatment to 16.7 million cows and 354.9 million chickens, exceeding targets and reinforcing Zoetis’ role in improving livestock productivity and public health across the continent. These efforts directly support the livelihoods of farmers and contribute to global food security.
Environmental Stewardship: Protecting the Planet
Zoetis continued to make notable progress toward reducing its environmental footprint in 2024, particularly in its goal to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030.
The company reported a 26.7% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2023, a major step forward in its decarbonization efforts. This improvement was largely achieved through the increased procurement of renewable energy credits made possible by a virtual power purchase agreement—a mechanism that supports the broader transition to clean energy.
Zoetis also reported that 80.6% of its global electricity consumption is now sourced from renewable energy. Key facilities now fully powered by renewable sources include 15 manufacturing sites, the Kalamazoo, Michigan R&D headquarters, and the international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.
In terms of infrastructure, the company added a significant milestone by installing an 800kW solar array at its manufacturing facility in Rutherford, Australia. This marks Zoetis’ eighth site globally to incorporate on-site solar power generation, further diversifying the company’s renewable energy portfolio.
Packaging and logistics innovations were also implemented as part of Zoetis’ broader waste reduction strategy. In Europe, the company introduced recycled paper-based packaging for a cattle vaccine, replacing traditional plastic components. Additionally, logistics in Spain were optimized by switching from air to sea freight and replacing single-use pallets with reusable alternatives—initiatives that not only cut emissions but also lower operational costs.
As Zoetis moves forward, its 2024 Sustainability Progress Update offers a compelling blueprint for how corporate sustainability can drive real-world impact. The company’s holistic approach—anchored in science, equity, and environmental consciousness—demonstrates how the animal health industry can play a transformative role in building a more resilient and inclusive future.
Whether it’s through global partnerships, targeted community investments, or innovative climate-smart solutions, Zoetis continues to show that sustainability and business success are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing.
With measurable results across every pillar of its Driven to Care strategy, Zoetis reaffirms its position not just as a market leader in animal health—but as a purpose-driven organization committed to long-term value creation for people, animals, and the planet alike.
