Supporting local communities

As part of our rewards and benefits package all colleagues are able to take a charity leave day every year.

This year colleagues from our Vet Group Support Office in Swindon volunteered to work with seven local organisations while colleagues from our Distribution Centres raised more than £9,000 in support of a range of charities.

Colleagues in the Vet Group also nominate a Charity of the Year which they work to support. This year Medical Detection Dogs have benefited from our fundraising, which included a book sale, children’s party and sponsored cycle ride and raised around £8,000. Proceeds from the sales of single-use carrier bags in stores have enabled Pets as Therapy to pilot a number of schemes to provide outreach and companionship to people living in isolation and they are now working to expand these services. Dogs for Good have also been able to expand their animal assisted intervention services which aid families with a child with autism to integrate a dog into their routine, helping to reduce stress for both the child and the family.

Working with the Alzheimer’s Society we have launched a campaign to enrol colleagues as ‘dementia friends’ to improve their awareness and understanding of how they can help people who are living with dementia.