Building an ESG Strategy that Lasts
Animates operates pet stores and Animates Vetcare clinics across New Zealand. As a business that genuinely cares about animals and the communities it serves, sustainability has always been part of its DNA. But to turn those values into action, and manage the risks that come with them, they needed a strategy to match. That's where Tadpole came in.
Building the foundation
Animates’ leadership team has been hands-on from day one. Early on, they shared their business plan and risk framework with us, so we could build ESG straight into how they already plan and make decisions, rather than bolt it on afterwards.
From there, we measured and audited Animates’ carbon footprint and ran a materiality assessment across the business. That means talking to customers, staff, suppliers and charity partners to work out which issues matter most to them and to the business, then ranking them by risk and importance. We also ran education sessions early on to help people understand what ESG means in practice. Staff told us how useful these were, and Animates later asked us to present the work at their own conference. The goal was to build engagement and give the wider team a way to connect to the plan, and it landed well.
The result is an ESG strategy built around clear focus areas across environment, social, and governance. It sits inside Animates' existing business strategy, not alongside it, with a board-agreed carbon target, measurable goals, and clear accountability for progress.
Leading from the front
Animates is proud that the framework includes modern slavery, agreed ahead of any legal requirement in New Zealand. It's the kind of decision that gets ahead of risk and shows customers, staff, and partners the kind of business Animates is.
Why it matters for retail
For any retailer operating at scale, in New Zealand or Australia, ESG is no longer a reporting exercise. Customers, employees, investors, and regulators are all paying closer attention. The businesses best placed for what's coming are those that take time to get prepared now.
"Working with Tadpole has given us the rigour to turn what we care about into something real. Tadpole has an uncanny way of making complicated things really simple and easy to follow. Having clear priorities and a strategy with measurable targets means we can be accountable. This is the start of a long journey, but we're starting from a solid place."
Neil Cowie, CEO, Animates & Animates Vetcare
Ready to start your sustainability journey?
Get in touch to discuss what this could look like for your business.
AUSTRALIA: Alan Adams, alan.adams@tadpole.consulting, +61 428 783 919
NEW ZEALAND: Allan Birch, allan@tadpole.co.nz, +64 21 930 992