The theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 (18–24 November) is ‘Spread awareness, stop resistance’ and aims to improve the general understanding of what antimicrobial medicines are and how their misuse and overuse in humans, animals and the environment are accelerating the speed at which microbes are adapting and building up resistance. Here we outline how and why vets should join in the conversation and highlight some of the related resources from the BSAVA.