Animal Medicines Amnesty

Everyone has a role to use and dispose of veterinary medicines responsibly to protect animal and human wellbeing, and the health of the environment. Our Practice is taking part in the Animal Medicines Amnesty this November to ensure the safe disposal of unused medicines. 

Veterinary medicines should never be disposed of in household waste as this can contaminate the environment. They shouldn’t be kept for future use on other animals, as this can result in dangerous side effects or decreased effectiveness. 

Antimicrobial resistance

It is important to correctly dispose of medicines such as antibiotics, as using out of date or incorrect antibiotics can contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria become resistant to medicines used to treat infections and these no longer work effectively. This can make it difficult to cure infections in animals and, in some cases, animals may not recover if they are infected with an organism that is resistant to antibiotics.

Safe disposal

How to dispose of your unused or out-of-date veterinary medicines

• Do bring them back to our Practice for safe disposal.
• Don’t dispose of them in household waste or down the toilet as this can contaminate
• the environment
• Don’t give your horse, or any other animal, leftover or out-of-date veterinary medicines

Talk to your vet

If you have questions about using medicines safely, or are concerned about AMR, please speak to your vet.