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Dr. Patricia Olson, MAF president and CEO, comments on cats being slightedin health research funding and veterinary care. "It is a sad irony that catsare the most popular pet in our country, yet far too little research fundingand veterinary care is being provided to meet cats' unique health needs," Dr.Olson says. "Thanks to Hill's extraordinary donation to MAF, cats will begiven a dramatically better opportunity for a long, healthy life."
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Research emanating from these genetic tools should provide veterinarianswith increased knowledge and capabilities to prevent and treat a wide range ofcat diseases. Cat lovers everywhere can celebrate this milestone in felinehealth. It is hoped this increased focus on feline health and public awarenessof the effort, will motivate cat owners to take their pets to the veterinarianmore often. Presently, as documented by industry information, a large numberof cats living in the United States do not receive regular health checkups andpreventive veterinary care.
Part of this donation will establish an international coalition for felinegenomic research. This coalition will advise MAF on the potential use of thegenetic tools and define areas of future study. These tools will be used todetermine causes and cures for the most serious of cat health maladies such ascancer, diabetes, kidney and bladder diseases, allergies, obesity and more.The new genetic tools will be made available to feline researchers around theworld.
"These tools offer a major head start for conducting genetic associationstudies that could one day help veterinarians better understand and diagnosediseases in our feline patients," said Janet Donlin, DVM, chief of theveterinary business channel at Hill's.
About Morris Animal Foundation:
Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to fundinganimal health research that protects, treats and cures companion animals andwildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough researchstudies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all sevencontinents. MAF has its headquarters in Denver. The Foundation has funded morethan 1,500 humane animal health studies. Charity Navigator ranks MAF as afour-star charity, the highest rating. For more information, call800.243.2345, or visit http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Media Contact
Heidi Jeter, Morris Animal Foundation
800.243.2345, [email protected]
SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation
