DENVER, Jan. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Animal lovers across the country invested in a brighter future for animals in December. Thousands of supporters helped Morris Animal Foundation's surpass its year-end Matching Gift Challenge of $50,000, which was sponsored by Paul Mitchell Schools.
"We greatly appreciate the significant support from animal lovers and from Paul Mitchell Schools," said David Haworth, DVM, PhD, Foundation president and CEO. "Their year-end support will ensure we can fund high-quality research that will advance the state of the art in veterinary medicine."
These donations will help support more than 120 studies already selected for funding this year. The Foundation's scientific advisory boards will also recommend new studies for wildlife in March and for cats and dogs in June. Some of these studies could significantly advance animal health. With Foundation funding, scientists hope to
- Identify chromosomal abnormalities that could help classify feline gastrointestinal cancers and allow veterinarians to better tailor treatment for cats
- Evaluate the effectiveness of using stem cells to stabilize and possibly reverse chronic kidney disease in cats
- Determine whether stem cells could prevent or slow cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs
- Identify gastrointestinal microbes that may contribute to canine obesity
- Evaluate whether a vaccine that prevents melanoma in dogs could also prevent the disease in horses
- Assess the health effects of oil and oil dispersant on oysters, which will help wildlife managers make good decisions in the event of an oil spill
- Improve methods for studying white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that is rapidly killing off entire bat populations
Learn more about how donations support innovative veterinary research that will benefit animals worldwide at www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Tina M. Martinez
Senior Marketing Specialist
303-653-2622
303-708-3418
http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
tmartinez@morrisanimalfoundation.org
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