Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo Foundation Surpass $11 Million in Total Contributions for Pet Cancer Research and Treatment

SAN ANTONIO, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To kick off Pet Cancer Awareness Month in May, the Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo Foundation announced a total of $11 million in contributions for pet cancer research and treatment since the annual campaign began in 2010.

This year's goal is to provide more than $2 million in additional grants to support pet cancer treatment and research initiatives.  

Now in its eighth year, the campaign is focused on helping families affected by pet cancer, a disease that affects one out of every four dogs in the U.S.  

"With approximately 6 million dogs and nearly the same number of cats impacted by cancer each year, we continue to make it a priority to invest in solutions to fight pet cancer, the number one disease-related cause of pet death," said Susanne Kogut, executive director of the Petco Foundation. "After losing my own dog to cancer just last month, this fight against pet cancer has really hit home. One pet family battling canine or feline cancer is too many – and we are inspired by the new treatment options our funds have helped support."

Recent investments include $1 million dedicated to helping families in need cover the cost of cancer treatment, including funds at seven university oncology departments as well as $1 million for pet cancer studies like the groundbreaking research being conducted to combat osteosarcoma in dogs.

Additional funding has been put toward innovative comparative oncology work like that at Canines-N-Kids, an organization committed to finding a cure for the devastating cancers that impact kids and man's best friend.   

"Blue Buffalo and the Blue Buffalo Foundation have been committed to finding a cure for pet cancer since our inception," said David Petrie, President of Blue Buffalo Foundation. "We are excited about collaborative efforts, together with Petco and the Petco Foundation, to raise funds for research, increase awareness of cancer warning signs and help pet parents with the cost of pet cancer treatment."

From May 6-28, pet lovers are encouraged to join Blue Buffalo and the Petco Foundation in the fight against pet cancer by donating in Petco stores or online, and sharing knowledge about the early warning signs of pet cancer. Donations can be made in any amount during checkout in a Petco store, or by donating online at petcofoundation.org/PCA.

For more information, visit www.PetCancerAwareness.org or petcofoundation.org/PCA. To find a Petco store near you, visit petco.com.

About the Petco Foundation

At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we've invested more than $185 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay/neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we've helped more than 5 million pets find their new loving families, and we're just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

About the Blue Buffalo Foundation 

The Blue Buffalo Foundation was established in 2003 by Blue Buffalo Company, a manufacturer of natural dog and cat foods under the BLUE™ brand name. Finding a cure for pet cancer is one of the top priorities for Blue Buffalo because its founders have had very personal experience with this disease. "Our dog Blue, a large breed Airedale and a great pal, had three bouts with cancer," said Bill Bishop, Blue Buffalo's founder. "After Blue's battles, we wanted to do something meaningful to help find a cure for this devastating disease. So one of the first things we did after starting our pet food company was to establish the Foundation to raise money for pet cancer research, and raise awareness among pet parents of the early warning signs of this disease." Visit www.PetCancerAwareness.org for more information. 

SOURCE Petco Foundation

Related Links

http://www.petcofoundation.org