We all passionately believe in protecting our environment and are continually investing in ways to make our practice as environmentally sustainable as possible.

We are often asked by responsible pet owners how best to dispose of unused medications and used medication packaging.

Safe Disposal

Did you know that the safest way to dispose of your pet’s unused flea and worm treatments and medicines is to return them to your veterinary surgery?

Please check your cupboards for any unused or partially used medicines, including any out of date, and return them to us for safe disposal.  This also includes any tablets or pipettes that you have removed from the blister pack but not used or opened within 28 days.

Returning medicines to veterinary practice*

Liquid medications

Please ensure the tops or lids are secured tightly on any spot-on pipettes, bottles or jars. Ideally, these should then be placed in a sealed, leak proof bag.

Unused tablets

These should remain in their original packaging (blister packs) if possible; otherwise, tablets of the same type should be gathered together and placed in a sealable, child proof container.

Disposing of Used Packaging at home

Pipette tubes (eg spot on flea treatment)

Replace cap securely in case there are any drops of product left inside and dispose of in your normal household waste.

Empty Blister packs

Dispose of these in your normal household waste.

Card packaging

Remove any label with your personal details on or make it illegible then dispose of the card in your Recycle Bin.

Why are we asking for your help?

Please do not dispose of any unused flea and worm treatments or medicines via wastewater eg down the sink, toilet or drain.  Disposal of products in this way can contribute to environmental contamination; traces of animal medicines have been detected in rivers throughout the UK.

These products should not enter watercourses, as they could be dangerous to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Returning unused or out-of-date flea and worm treatments and medicines to your veterinary practice ensures their safe disposal by a licenced operator.

And a word on poop

Please remember to clear up your pet’s poop when out walking or even from your garden. Traces of some veterinary medicines can remain in your pet’s poop, which could also lead to environmental contamination if not cleared up. Scooping it into a biodegradable poop bag and dropping it in to a dog waste bin is the best option.

These simple steps can help to protect the environment.

If you are in any doubt about the correct way to dispose of your pet’s medications please, contact us.

Warning!  What is the risk of re-using veterinary medicines?

Do not share any unused medication with other pet owners. This medication was specifically prescribed for your pet’s condition and could cause more harm than good to another pet.  Likewise, if your pet shows recurring symptoms, you should not restart the treatment.  Any veterinary medicine or flea and worm treatment for your pets should only be administered under the advice and direction of your veterinary surgeon.

We take our responsibilities seriously and care about our environment.

Thank you for helping to keep all of us and our pets and our environment healthy and safe.

*Please note we are unable to provide refunds for returned unused medicines, as we are unable to re-stock medicines for resale once they have left the practice.

The sale of online veterinary medicines is regulated and monitored.  Once veterinary medicines have been dispensed from a veterinary practice, it is illegal to sell your unused veterinary medicines online. 

It is also illegal for us to supply unused or out of date veterinary medicines to animal charities.

Did you know that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a world-wide health threat, as bacteria are becoming resistant to many antibiotics that we use in human and veterinary medicine?

Antibiotics are an essential treatment for many conditions in humans and our pets, so we must use antibiotics with care and dispose of them safely to keep them working when we need them.

Safe Disposal

Did you know that the safest way to dispose of your pet’s unused antibiotics is to return them to your veterinary surgery?

Throughout November 2022, we are holding a Veterinary Antibiotic Amnesty. Please check your cupboards for any unused or partially used antibiotic medicines, including any out of date, and return them to us for safe disposal by 30^th November 2022.

 For those who are able to, please complete a short survey to tell us how you dispose of antibiotics. Please click on the link or scan the QR code: rumacae.org.uk/antibioticamnesty/

What’s the risk of re-using antibiotics?

A third of people hold onto their own unused antibiotics for potential future reuse (either for themselves or friends and family) and pet owners may similarly store unused antibiotics for their pets.

We all want to make our pets feel better when they are unwell. However, re-using antibiotics in your pet or other pets for a recurring condition, or similar or different symptoms, poses a greater risk of AMR spreading or emerging. Antibiotics for your pets should only be administered under the advice and direction of your veterinary surgeon.

Why are we asking for your help?

Disposing of unused antibiotics (human and veterinary) down toilets and sinks – and even in household waste – can contribute to environmental contamination; traces of antibiotics have been detected in rivers throughout the UK and in all four inhabited continents of the world.  A recent Beach-Bum survey found that surfers were three times more likely to be carrying an antibiotic resistant E. coli in their gut than non-surfers.

We care about our environment and thank you for helping to keep all of us and our pets and our environment healthy and safe.

In May 2005 the first ever Veterinary Nurse Awareness event was launched. Its aim was simple: to raise awareness of the work veterinary nurses do.

Seventeen years later and the veterinary nursing profession continues this yearly celebration in recognition of the skills and value registered veterinary nurses bring to animal health and welfare. During May, Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM) provides a focussed opportunity to reflect on how veterinary nurses shape the high levels of clinical care practices provide and the many different roles and responsibilities they have.

Registered Veterinary Nurses and the wider nursing team of Patient Care Assistants are a fundamental part of the clinical team, taking a leading role in preventative health care, care of hospitalised patients and running of diagnostic tests. Depending on the procedure, registered veterinary nurses also support with or undertake surgical procedures and provide care during anaesthesia and in the recovery period too.

• Learn more about the role of a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Learn more about the role of Patient Care Assistants