Morris Animal Foundation Receives $1 Million Grant for Bone Cancer Studies

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Petco Foundation and the Blue Buffalo Foundation have partnered to
sponsor a $1 million grant for Morris Animal Foundation to help fund the
Foundation’s research initiative in osteosarcoma, the most common bone
cancer in dogs.

“Morris Animal Foundation continues to invest in groundbreaking
osteosarcoma research, and we are deeply appreciative of the Petco
Foundation and the Blue Buffalo Foundation for their support of this
important work,” said John Reddington, DVM, PhD, President and CEO of
Morris Animal Foundation. “This grant will help in our efforts to
develop interventions to improve quality of life and survival time for
our canine companions with this devastating disease.”

Current osteosarcoma statistics are grim:

• 10,000 dogs are diagnosed in the United States each year
• 4,000-8,000 dogs die every year from metastatic disease
• In 90 percent of dogs, osteosarcoma already has spread upon diagnosis
• 80 percent of dogs die within two years of diagnosis

While safe and effective treatment options currently are available to
treat the primary cancer, better treatments are needed to stop
metastasis. The new grant will help fund innovative approaches to combat
metastatic osteosarcoma. Recently funded studies at Morris Animal
Foundation have zeroed in on ways to optimize chemotherapy selection,
control pain, and find new therapeutic targets, all aimed at improving
treatment outcomes.

“The Petco Foundation, established in 1999, is focused on creating a
better world for animals,” said Susanne Kogut, Executive Director of the
Petco Foundation. “Osteosarcoma research holds the promise of improving
treatment for dogs with this disease, giving them healthier lives and
more time with the families that love them.”

The Blue Buffalo Foundation was established in 2003 with a specific
focus on cancer research.

“So many of us have lost beloved pets to this deadly disease, and we are
committed to advancing science that will make a difference in the fight
against pet cancer,” said David Petrie, President of the Blue Buffalo
Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with Morris Animal Foundation to
fund innovative studies that will not only help our companion animals
survive cancer, but thrive and have good lives.”

The Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo Foundation’s eighth annual Pet
Cancer Awareness fundraising campaign takes place May 6 – May 28, 2017.
Animal lovers and pet parents nationwide can help continue this
important work by donating at any Petco store or at www.petco.com/pca.
A portion of the funds will be donated to Morris Animal Foundation for
ongoing research in osteosarcoma.

About Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in funding scientific
studies that advance the health of companion animals, horses and
wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over
$113 million toward more than 2,500 studies that have led to significant
breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases to
benefit animals worldwide. Learn more at Morris
Animal Foundation.

About the Blue Buffalo Foundation

The Blue Buffalo Foundation (“Foundation”) was established in 2003 by
the founders of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. (“Blue Buffalo”) a
manufacturer of natural dog and cat foods under the BLUE™ brand names.
Helping to find a cure for pet cancer is a top priority 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.” www.PetCancerAwareness.org.

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 $175 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 and 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.

Contacts

Morris Animal Foundation
Carol
Borchert, 303-790-4066
Director of Communications