Vetoquinol Universal Registration Document 2019

2 54   Vetoquinol  Universal Registration Document 2019  Financial report STATEMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Social footprint 2.7.2 Humans and animals: a lifelong relationship Dog is man’s best friend. The benefits of having a pet for human physical and mental well-being have been known for many years. Throughout human history, the status of animals has evolved; originally domesticated for utilitarian purposes, today animals have become inseparable companions to their human owners. Pets play a vital social role: they are part of the family, sharing everyday home life. Humans care for animals, but the opposite is also true: animals can provide practical assistance, moral support and emotional relief to humans. Vetoquinol has set up a website specifically devoted to pet owners: www.myhappypet.fr . The website is also available in 12 other countries. In Poland, Facebook page www.facebook.com/MyHappyPetPolska received 152,000 likes in 2019. This website was designed as part of the Group’s digital strategy, which encourages the development of websites dedicated to vets and pet owners. The range of advice offered by veterinarians and published on the site pro- vides pet owners with a reliable source of information. Topics cover everyday animal health as well as more spe- cific problems, for which pet owners seek sound advice. This site has been designed to assist pet owners: 75% of owners use the Internet to search for medical informa- tion, and for 90% of them vets remain the most reliable source (source: Thesis on Veterinary Medicine – Lyon 1 – 2014.) Maintaining a close relationship with customers and partners remains Vetoquinol’s guiding principle for meeting their needs and supporting them on a daily basis. Animals and children Pets play a primordial role in a child’s individual and social development. As children’s close companions and confidants, animals can see and hear everything. The presence of a pet can calm a child’s fears, suffering or anxiety. Animals and elderly people living alone A pet’s presence is reassuring, gives structure to the day (regular walks) and increases social contact. Today, reti- rement homes welcome companion animals; for many people, pets guarantee quality of life and comfort. Accordingly, in its 2018 report on “The social life of reti- rement home residents”, the French Health Authority recommended the presence of animals, which helps to “assuage feelings of disorientation, benefit from a comforting presence and thereby enhance residents’ quality of life”. Animals and the disabled Guide dogs and service dogs help disabled people achieve greater independence, giving them constant comfort, warmth and friendship and helping them to find their place in society. Guide dogs provide a certain amount of security for the visually impaired when walking and traveling. 2.7.3 Ethics and fair practices In 2019, the Group created a partnership, legal and risk department whose remit covers risk management, internal control procedures and Group compliance with applicable guidelines, including ethics, anti-corruption and the GDPR. 2.7.3.1 Code of Ethics Trust, dare and collaborate in order to achieve more together: these are the values that Vetoquinol upholds and promotes all over the world. These values can only be put into practice if clearly defined rules of conduct are shared across the Group. These universal rules appli- cable to all employees are set out in the Vetoquinol Code of Ethics. The code sets out the commitments, practices and beha- vior chosen and adopted by Vetoquinol in its dealings with employees and third parties alike. Every employee must at all times abide by the rules contained in the Code of Ethics: • by showing loyalty to the company, colleagues and partners; by acting with integrity at all times; • by fully respecting the law; • by maintaining objectivity in all situations; • by embodying the values of Vetoquinol; • by preserving Vetoquinol’s reputation for integrity. Vetoquinol undertakes to fully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to its business activity in every country in which it operates. Vetoquinol strives to uphold the highest possible ethical standards in its business relations with all of its partners.