Why the Animal Medicines Amnesty still matters five years on – Steve Howard – RUMA CA&E Secretary General
29 October 2026
For four years, the veterinary profession has made this campaign possible, supported by Zoetis as Principal Sponsor. As we enter the fifth year, the challenge is not to start something new; it is to keep an important message visible, maintain momentum and turn awareness into lasting behaviour both within the profession and by educating owners.
Unused and out-of-date veterinary medicines are still being stored in homes. Owners may not realise they should return them to their veterinary practice, or understand the risks of reusing, sharing or disposing of them incorrectly.
That is why continued participation matters. Since the veterinary Animal Medicines Amnesty first began (2022), nearly 15,000 out of date and unused pet medicines have been returned to vet practices for safe disposal. That’s something the profession should be incredibly proud of.
Awareness cannot be taken for granted
A familiar campaign can sometimes feel like a message people have already heard. But not every owner has seen it and some people are new to pet ownership plus, new vets, nurses, and wider practice team members, will have joined the profession since the campaign began – so this could well be their first year hearing about the Animal Medicines Amnesty.
Even owners who have heard about the Amnesty may need a timely reminder to check cupboards, drawers and medicine boxes. Awareness must be renewed and embedded if it is to become action.
Veterinary practices are central to that effort. Owners trust their veterinary teams, and a simple conversation can prompt them to find medicines they have forgotten about and return them safely.
The campaign is working but the job is not finished
In 2025, participating practices responding to RUMA CA&E’s voluntary survey reported the return of 8,650 medicines, compared with around 2,500 pet medications recorded through the previous Antibiotic Amnesty.
That progress shows what consistent communication from veterinary teams can achieve. It does not mean the problem has been solved.
Responsible medicines use extends beyond antibiotics as we know. Antimicrobial resistance remains a major concern, while parasiticides, steroids and other veterinary medicines also need to be used and disposed of responsibly. Every medicine returned is one less that could be reused without veterinary advice or enter household waste or wastewater systems.
Your continued involvement makes the difference
This November, we are asking practices to build on what they already do:
- Brief the whole team and make the Animal Medicines Amnesty part of everyday client conversations.
- Display posters where owners will see them.
- Share reminders through newsletters, websites, social media and vaccination communications.
- Encourage clients to check their homes for unused or out-of-date medicines.
- Make returning medicines straightforward and explain what can be accepted.
- Prepare to collect and record returns throughout November.
These actions may feel small, but their combined effect is considerable. Each reminder reaches another owner. Each conversation strengthens understanding. Each returned medicine turns awareness into a measurable result.
Keep the message moving
The fifth year of the campaign is an opportunity to reinforce a simple but essential message: unused veterinary medicines should be returned to a veterinary practice for safe disposal.
Please take part again this November. Download and use the campaign resources, brief your team and tell your clients why returning unused medicines matters.
The veterinary profession has already created strong momentum. Now we must sustain it, reaching owners who have not yet heard the message and reminding those who have that their action still matters: vet antibioticamnesty – RUMA CA&E.
With thanks to Zoetis as Principal Sponsor of the Animal Medicines Amnesty 2026.