Celebrating the Season of Giving

Colleagues around the world support their local communities

At Zoetis, supporting the communities where we operate is one of our fundamental pillars of our Six Areas of Responsibility. What better way to end the year than by giving back to those in need? It’s a tradition for many Zoetis locations to give back to their local communities during the holiday season. Read on to learn how we’re making a difference from Rome, Italy, to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Lending a Hand to Farmers in South Africa

Drought has plagued areas of South Africa, rendering the land useless for farming and forcing farming families to move. The town of Vosburg had 300 farming families three years ago. In 2019 the area only received 7mm of rain and only 42 farming families remain. This December, Zoetis colleagues rallied together to pack and send grocery boxes to the farmers facing the drought. The charity Men on a Mission, part of Drought Relief SA, supported delivery of the boxes.

A Christmas Market and Decorations with a Cause in Italy

Colleagues in Italy gave back with two initiatives. On December 5^th, which is also the Global Day for Volunteering, they hosted a traditional Christmas market in their office selling goods from a local artisan workshop that employs single mothers in difficult situations. The money raised benefitted the workshop. Second, the team decorated the office with festive products from a charity called 30 Hours for Life, which provides homes to the families of children with cancer who live too far away for treatment. This initiative builds on the team’s other efforts to support breast cancer and skin cancer research and charities.

PHARMAQ Colleagues Spread Christmas Cheer in Chile

With key locations in Norway and Chile, our PHARMAQ colleagues in Oslo continued their support of the Eucaluptus School with a lottery to buy beautiful handmade Christmas cards hand-crafted by the school’s students. The Eucaluptus School provides education and rewarding vocational training for mentally and physically handicapped children in Chile, and has been supported by PHARMAQ since 2007. While the holiday season is a great time to give back to the school, colleagues regularly donate through raffles and donations to keep the school going strong. The team receives yearly updates about how their support is used – and it makes a big difference to Eucaluptus’ staff and pupils!

Making a Difference with Festive Sweaters and Baked Goods in Ireland

Colleagues at our International Operations Headquarters in Ireland donned their gay apparel and put their baking skills to the test to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society this season. Contests were held for the best sweater and best treats – and a lot of fun was had by all while helping an important cause.

A Wacky Way to Celebrate in Spain

Zoetis Olot colleagues took a similar approach to our colleagues in Ireland. They dug out their wildest Christmas sweaters and put forth their best baked goods to raise money for a charity that funds research in the fight against rare and minority diseases. A silly way to make a serious difference!

Looking out for One Another this Season in India

To show their appreciation, Zoetis colleagues came together to give gifts to the children of the support staff who work on the site. Festive smiley faces were added to the Christmas décor with each gift donated, resulting in a very joyful office spirit! The team hosted a special holiday event for the children to enjoy time with colleagues over snacks, games and gifts.

Making the Season Brighter for Children and Fluffy Friends in Parsippany, New Jersey

Our colleagues at headquarters united behind two great causes this season: the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and FOWA Rescue, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare, sheltering and placement of homeless animals. The team spread plenty of joy and hope among local children in need through toy, game, and book donation. Local animals received food, toys and general supplies.

A Celebration that Gives Back in Durham, North Carolina 

Our Durham team also participated in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, providing gifts to local children in need. The team also held a special cookie break with a cause. Cookies were delivered to colleagues from Life Experiences, a local nonprofit organization that offers work experiences for adults with disabilities, while providing an opportunity for them to gain the self-esteem of earning a wage for their work. Not only did colleagues enjoy the delicious cookies and chance to celebrate the season together, they appreciated giving back to people in the community.

Helpful Holiday Cheer in Charles City, Iowa

Charles City colleagues participated in the annual Holiday Cheer Program to benefit families in the area who need help with gifts and food around the holidays. Gifts are given anonymously to the families in need. This year Zoetis colleagues helped make the holiday special for 52 children.

Making the Holiday Brighter for Families in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Every year Zoetis colleagues participate in the Bright Holidays event in Kalamazoo. The initiative supports three agencies: Comstock Community Center, Gull Lake Community Center, and Family & Children Services of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Each organization provides the Bright Holiday Committee with a list of children, identified by their gender, age and suggested gift items on their Christmas wish list. Each child is listed on a paper ornament on a Christmas tree. This year Zoetis colleagues helped make a Bright Holiday for 142 children from 49 local families.

Kalamazoo GMS colleagues participated in another wonderful holiday project. These colleagues partnered with local food bank "Loaves & Fishes" to help ensure local families have enough to eat for the holidays. Not only did colleagues fill the barrels for food collection, they overflowed them, helping to ensure that locals will have full hearts and bellies this season!