Presenter Amy Sedaris and host Andy Cohen present the HSUS Corporate Consciousness Award to Nefertiti Greene, President of Science & Diagnostics at Mars Petcare, accepting on behalf of Mars. Photo credit: Charles Sykes Invision for The HSUS AP
More than half a million vulnerable cats and dogs in 62 countries. That’s how many animals we’ve positively impacted through our long-standing work with the Humane Society of the US (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI) – and the reason they’ve presented us with their esteemed Corporate Consciousness Award.
Nefertiti Greene, President, Mars Petcare Science & Diagnostics, accepted the award during the annual To The Rescue! Gala, supporting the work of HSI and HSUS. Radio and television celebrity Andy Cohen served as host of the star-studded evening(Opens a new window), as hundreds of guests gathered to celebrate recent successes and highlight the organizations’ hard-won gains for animals.
“Our Purpose, a better world for pets, is our North Star. Importantly, a better world for pets is for all pets, not just the ones we serve through our products and services,” said Nefertiti Greene in her acceptance speech. “We’re motivated to find solutions that help vulnerable companion animals throughout the world who need it most, too. The reason Mars partners with the Humane Society Family of Organizations is because of our shared commitment to thinking comprehensively about challenges in every aspect of our work. We look to root causes, structural problems and develop solutions that produce ongoing, lasting change and impact. Together, we’re committed to delivering responses that are durable, that inspire individuals, communities and deliver results on a global scale.”
This year’s Corporate Consciousness award recognized our deep commitment to long-term impact for dogs and cats throughout the world. For example, we’ve been a key partner in the HSUS’s disaster relief efforts – from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and almost every major natural disaster since - and a major supporter of HSI’s street dog programs around the world.
In 2020, we quickly responded to the global pandemic with a million-dollar grant – and partnered with the Humane Society Family of Organizations to help more than 280,000 dogs and cats impacted by the pandemic in 36 countries. More recently, we donated $1.25 million in financial and in-kind support, providing urgent assistance to animals and people affected by the war in Ukraine.
From street animal welfare in India, veterinary services in rural America and disaster response to help animals in every corner of the world – and more – we’re determined to create lasting change for dogs and cats around the world.
Our OOP and CEO, Poul Weihrauch, also shared his perspective in a video message presented during the event:
"Purpose is central to Mars, and we have an ongoing commitment to do business in a way that positively contributes to people, the environment and the communities in which we operate. From reducing our environmental footprint to ending pet homelessness – we are committed to making a positive societal impact,” he said. “Nonprofit partners like Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International are an essential part of how we deliver that impact. We are incredibly grateful for organizations who share our passion for advancing animal welfare globally, working to keep people and pets together during crisis and ensuring homeless animals have a chance of finding a loving home. Our partnership with HSUS and HSI helps deliver on our Purpose: A better world for pets.”
