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Blue Buffalo and Petco have raised more than US$2.4 million in 2014 for pet cancer research. The partnership, which began in 2010, has raised more than US$7 million total so far. This year, Blue Buffalo donated US$1 to go to pet cancer research for every bag of Blue dog or cat food sold during the month of May at any of the more than 1,300 Petcos nationwide. Additionally, Petco customers were asked to make a donation at the cash register or online.
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Money raised will fund efforts like the Denver, Colorado-based Morris Animal Foundation’s 5-5-5 Initiative, which will conduct five annual clinical trials on osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer in dogs. Additional money will be distributed to universities and clinics across the US that are conducting research on the causes, prevention and treatment of canine and feline cancer, as well as to organizations that are dedicated to helping families in need cover the cost of pet cancer treatments.
Privately held pet treat manufacturer Clear Conscience Pet has entered into the Mission: Small Business Grant competition, in which 12 American small businesses will be awarded seed money grants of US$250,000 to help the companies reach the next level in their industries.
The company's co-founders, Anthony and Amanda Bennie, have pledged that if the company is awarded one of the grants, 10 percent of the net proceeds will be distributed to families facing the high costs of cancer care for a pet.
“When our beloved Golden Retriever, Isis, was diagnosed with cancer last year, we personally learned how difficult it is for families to not only help their pet to fight the disease, but to manage the financial burden of treatment,” said Co-Founder Amanda Bennie. “So we have started the Clear Conscience Pet ISIS Foundation as the charitable giving arm of our company.”
The Mission: Small Business Grant award winners will be selected by the number of votes each receives on Facebook.
“We entered this competition knowing that the odds of winning are very difficult with so many excellent small companies vying for a small number of grants,” said Co-Founder Anthony Bennie. “But anything that can help us to support our mission of bringing healthier products and humane sustainable sourcing to the pet food industry is worth our best effort.”
Votes for Clear Conscience Pet can be cast by:
1- Visiting http://www.missionsmallbusiness.com
2- Registering using a Facebook account login
3- Entering "Clear Conscience Pet" in the search bar for business name
4- Entering CONNECTICUT for state and WILTON for city
5- Voting for "Clear Conscience Pet" and any other companies you would like to support
Nature’s Variety will team up with 2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Against Canine Cancer for a nationwide walk initiative on November 7.
Nature’s Variety will donate 3,600 sample bags of its Instinct and Prairie lines of kibble. The donation will be spread to dogs in cities throughout the US, including Atlanta, Georgia; Auburn, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Fairborn, Ohio; Fort Collins, Colorado; New Milford, Connecticut; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Poughkeepsie, New York; Richmond, Virginia; and Seattle, Washington.
The 2 Million Dogs initiative began from Luke Robinson's quest to walk 2,000 miles with his two dogs across the US in 2008, raising awareness of canine cancer, in memory of his other dog, Malcolm. Afterward, he felt that if he and his dogs could walk 2,000 miles, he could get 2 million dogs to walk 2 miles to raise funding for canine cancer research.
New research shows that certain cancer in dogs may be preventable with diet changes, according to an article on naturalnews.com.
The research was presented by Demian Dressler, DVM, at the 2010 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago. Dr. Dressler said the key to preventing cancer is to limit the amount of omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause blood clotting and cell proliferation, in a dog's diet. These omega-6 fatty acids are often found in dog treats and many commercial dog foods, according to the naturalnews.com article. It is important to monitor a dog's weight too, as Dr. Dressler cited studies showing obesity limits the production of the adiponectin hormone that inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
ZuPreem, an exotic pet and animal food manufacturer, announced the sponsorship of the Ben Cote Veterinary Scholarship Fund.
The fund annually awards research grants to the nation’s top veterinary students to complete innovative studies in the areas of canine cancer, human-animal bond, and pet relinquishment issues.
“This scholarship fund helps keep this spirit alive and reminds us of the importance pets make in our everyday life,” said David Morris, president of ZuPreem.
Researchers at North Carolina State University say soy may increase the benefits of canine cancer therapy.
Genistein -- a molecule in soy shown to be toxic to many cancer cells in humans -- was found to kill canine lymphoid cells in a laboratory.
"Humans have been using soy in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy for some time as a chemo potentiator," Dr. Steven Suter, assistant professor of oncology at the university, says.
Researchers hope it will work for canines, too.
