Nestlé Purina held its first ever ‘Better with Pets’ European Forum in Brussels, Belgium, highlighting the invaluable contribution of pets in society and championing a better world for people and pets.
The pet food company also announced its Purina in Society Commitments - the company’s 10 comprehensive initiatives to help create a world where people and pets can be better together. These commitments are the first of its kind by a pet care company, paving the way for the future.
Research on the available scientific evidence presented by Purina at the Forum, revealed that pets deliver positive benefits to our health and wellbeing, from reducing stress and loneliness, to improving self-esteem and mental health conditions. However, there is a missed opportunity when it comes to the positive impact of pets and their role in society and Purina believe more needs to be done to promote, celebrate and protect pets’ valuable role in our world.
“Nestlé Purina believes that when people and pets bond, life becomes richer,” said Bernard Meunier, Chief Executive of Nestlé Purina Pet Care Europe, Middle East and North Africa. “We want to turn today’s invaluable discussions into action by inviting the public to get involved and join our efforts to contribute to a society that is stronger and healthier when pets are welcomed into it.”
The event, held at Dolce La Hulpe in Brussels, brought together leading experts in public and pet health, nutrition and wellbeing from across Europe and Russia, to engage in vital debate around topics such as the benefits of Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy, pets contribution to health and wellness and how best to leverage research opportunities to demonstrate the benefits of pet ownership to public health.
Guests had the chance to take part in thought-provoking discussions, hear different perspectives and inspiring stories around the pet-human bond. These discussions were led by expert panellists including UK speakers Professor Daniel Mills, a well-known international authority on companion animal behaviour, cognition and welfare, and Dr Claire Guest, Co-Founder of Medical Detection Dogs, an organisation that trains dogs to identify human disease by odour. Other speakers included Dr Andrea Meisser, a veterinarian and president and board member in communal politics and of professional associations in the field of veterinary medicine and Andrea Gavinelli, veterinarian and policy official at the European Commission.
Delegates were also given the opportunity to engage with a series of interactive exhibits, which featured Purina’s expertise in pet nutrition and wellbeing and offered the chance to connect with Purina experts and some of their partners. Three exhibits focused on the benefits of our relationship with pets under the banners of Together for Health, Together for Children and the Young and Together for Life. Also included was a demonstration of how external stimuli can generate joyful emotions in dogs and the use of thermal imaging to better understand what makes a dog experience a positive change in mood.
Purina went on to announce its ten Purina in Society Commitments, which are the company’s framework of initiatives with clear measurable goals to help create a world where people and pets can be better together. To shape these commitments, Purina has engaged with stakeholders to understand the material issues impacting pets’ role in society.
- Lead the industry in pet nutrition and health research
- Deliver accessible product information and pet care advice
- Remove artificial colours from our products
- Create job opportunities for young people below 30 years at Nestlé Purina in Europe
- Implement responsible sourcing
- Improve the environmental performance of our packaging
- Promote pet adoption through collaboration and partnerships
- Help reduce the risk of pet obesity through collaborative prevention programmes
- Promote pets in the workplace
- Promote responsible pet ownership programmes for children
The one-day Forum was Purina’s first ever public European event bringing people together to share their opinions and draw attention to issues surrounding pets’ place in society. For more information visit https://www.purina.co.uk/pins
Pictured: Bernard Meunier, Chief Executive of Nestlé Purina Pet Care Europe, Middle East and North Africa, announces the company’s 10 Purina in Society commitments.
