W H E R E S C I E N C E M E E T S H O P EW H E R E S C I E N C E M E E T S H O P E TM

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Studies benefit health of critically endangered whale species B Y D I A N E B R O W N , D V M , P h D , D A C V P C h i e f S c i e n t i f i c O f f i c e r

The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale is a coastal-dwelling species that holds an important place in the history of our country. It was reduced to near extinction through commercial whaling because it was the “right” whale to harvest for its abundant oil. Fewer than 500 remain and they continue to be threatened by encounters with humans, exposure to disease outbreaks and environmental toxins. Boat strikes and entanglements in fishing gear also put these massive creatures at risk when they migrate between calving grounds in the southern Atlantic to northern feeding grounds that range from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to the Bay of Fundy in Canada.

In order to monitor and better understand the health of these great mammals, wildlife veterinarians and researchers need methods for live observation that are safe for the scientists and the whales. Observing free-ranging whales from boats allows only a partial view of the animals, so researchers are developing a novel, low-cost method for collecting health data from the whales.

With a grant from Morris Animal Foundation, researchers from Duke University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are using a new remote-controlled, unmanned aerial vehicle to collect detailed measurements of whale and calf body condition and size. This type of data is called aerial photogrammetry. These images will provide much-needed seasonal, repeatable, noninvasive sampling data from the animals.

The Foundation-funded fellowship grant will help veterinarian Rachel Cassoff complete this research as part of her PhD program. Her research career will benefit not only the endangered whales, but animal health in general.

“This new study provides an opportunity to test a new data collection method to benefit health in aquatic species,” Dr. Cassoff says.

A recently completed Foundation-funded study increased understanding of health problems in this whale population. Veterinarian Rosalind Rolland and her co-investigators, at the New England Aquarium, integrated health and stress hormone data with long-term historical data on these animals. Dr. Rolland’s team discovered that infection with the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium was correlated with a whale’s decline in body condition. The near-shore habitat and low genetic diversity in this small population increases their exposure and susceptibility to diseases and parasites originating from land.

With studies like these leading to better understanding of health problems in endangered animals like the North Atlantic right whale, researchers can develop new strategies to protect these great creatures and help ensure their survival for generations to come.

Morris Animal Foundation has been committed to funding studies that better our understanding and improve health for wildlife worldwide since 1967. ✢

Photo: Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), Permit 15488

AnimalNEWS Volume 14 Issue 3 Fall 2014

AnimalNEWS is published four times a year by Morris Animal Foundation.

10200 East Girard Avenue Suite B430Denver, Colorado 80231TOLL-FREE 800.243.2345 P 303.790.2345

www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

O U R M I S S I O N

Morris Animal Foundation improves the health and well-being of companion animals and wildlife by funding humane health studies and disseminating information about these studies.

2 Your gifts at work

3 Wildlife can get cancer, too

4 Animal lovers around the world United to Fight Pet Cancer

5 Dedicated dog lover raises dollars and awareness

5 Thank you Cheney Middle School

6 The dog who sees inside a veteran’s soul

7 PetSafe partnership pays multiple dividends

8 Upcoming events

8 Morris Animal Foundation named 2014 BlogPaws winner

I N T H I S I S S U E

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Your gifts at workOver the past 66 years, Morris Animal Foundation has been a global leader in funding studies to advance animal health. Without the help of generous supporters like you, we could not fulfill our mission to improve the health of cats, dogs, horses and wildlife worldwide.

Morris Animal Foundation has received the highest charity rating.

©2014 Morris Animal Foundation. All rights reserved.

Tools Help Improve Quality of Life for Cats With Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis in older cats. Although increasingly recognized as a cause of pain and disability, osteoarthritis can be difficult to diagnose in cats. Managing the pain of feline osteoarthritis presents several unique challenges. Veterinarians can find it difficult to differentiate osteoarthritis from other causes of pain, and owners struggle to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Researchers at the University of Montreal developed and validated two pain scales to identify and quantify osteoarthritis-related pain in cats—one to aid veterinarians during office visits and one for cat owners to use at home. Having reliable indicators of arthritis pain can help guide diagnosis, monitoring of pain and response to treatment, and ultimately improve the quality of life for cats with osteoarthritis. ✢

Heart Defect Screening Test Available for Newfoundlands

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is the second most common inherited heart defect in dogs. Some dogs with the defect suffer from severe heart disease, resulting in an average lifespan of only 19 months. Others may carry the defect without showing any clinical signs, but they can pass it on to their puppies. Researchers from North Carolina State University searched for the genetic mutation responsible for SAS in Newfoundlands, one of the breeds most frequently affected. They identified an important mutation associated with the development of SAS in Newfoundlands and then developed a screening test to identify carriers of SAS in the breed. This new test will help veterinarians work with breeders to reduce the prevalence of this devastating disease through selective testing and breeding programs. ✢

Vaccine Against Foal Pneumonia Being Developed

Pneumonia caused by the bacterium Rhodococcus equi is a cause of significant disease and death in foals. Experimental data suggest that administering living bacteria can stimulate disease immunity; however, regulatory restrictions hamper the use of live, virulent bacteria for vaccine development. As a solution, researchers at Texas A & M University recently developed a new oral vaccine that inactivates the bacteria, rendering the bug harmless but still capable of stimulating protective immunity. The researchers demonstrated that their experimental vaccine stimulated immune responses in foals equal to the administration of live bacteria. They hope their new vaccine candidate will move on to further clinical trials. A vaccine against foal pneumonia would be a welcome preventive measure to address this global health issue in foals. ✢

New Rapid Blood Tests Help Screen Lions for Tuberculosis

When lions prey on animals infected with tuberculosis, they can contract the disease themselves and then transmit it to other lions in the herd. The disease can also be transferred when wildlife management strategies require moving lion populations to maintain prey health and balance their numbers. To address this problem, researchers validated two new rapid blood tests to help veterinarians identify tuberculosis-infected lions in the field during health checks. This testing provides important data for disease and conservation management strategies that can ultimately preserve the health and well-being of this species. The African lion is currently listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Endangered Species. ✢

3www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

Your gifts at work

The Tasmanian devil is more than a cartoon character. This carnivorous scavenger plays an important role in the ecosystem of the island of Tasmania, but the species is now in trouble.

In 1996, a Dutch wildlife photographer snapped pictures on Tasmania of what appeared to be deformed faces on Tasmanian devils, a marsupial found in the wild only on this Australian island. Research by wildlife officials revealed a startling finding: A new type of infectious cancer was decimating the Tasmanian devil population. A mere 18 years since the discovery of this facial cancer, and the Tasmanian devil is now on the verge of extinction. Some populations have experienced declines of 95 percent.

Cancer doesn’t immediately come to mind as an issue affecting wildlife health, but it is a problem for many wild animals, including Tasmanian devils. The disease poses unique challenges for wildlife biologists, veterinarians and conservationists. Funding is desperately needed for research into the identification, biology and treatment of different types of cancers. Studying causes of cancer in any species helps to fill the knowledge gap on this devastating disease with broad significance across species.

That’s why Morris Animal Foundation supports cancer research not just to help pets but to benefit wild species as well. The Foundation recently funded a promising new project to test a groundbreaking approach to preventing devil cancer using cancer biology. This project will also provide training for a postdoctoral student, a keystone

of the Foundation’s mission to train the next generation of scientists that will study animal health issues.

As Dr. Andrew Flies, a Foundation-funded researcher leading the study states, “Our studies will investigate potential immunotherapies for the devil facial tumor and another infectious cancer, the canine transmissible venereal tumor. These tumors provide a unique and valuable system for understanding how cancer evades an animal’s immune

system. This research will benefit not only Tasmanian devils, but other wildlife species and companion animals that suffer from cancer.”

This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Many wildlife species have played important roles in cancer research. For example, one of the first cancers studied in wild frog populations was found to be caused by a virus.” Increasingly, viruses found to cause cancer are important across species, from humans and dogs and cats, and including wildlife. These studies then lead to improved understanding of cancer, in general.

Morris Animal Foundation has responded to the need for more research into cancers affecting wildlife by supporting studies such as the Tasmanian devil project and others that have looked at cancer in koalas and California sea lions. Using funds for research and scientist training grants specifically for wildlife, the Foundation continues its longstanding commitment to improving the health of wildlife worldwide. ✢

Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/morrisanimal.

Wildlife can get cancer, tooB Y K E L L Y D I E H L , D V M , M S , D I P L . A C I V M ( S m a l l A n i m a l M e d i c i n e )

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Visit us at www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/UniteToFight

for more information about our efforts.

Cancer touches so many lives, and our commitment to pet cancer is not over. We have extended the Unite to Fight Pet Cancer campaign through the end of September and there are a number of ways you can stay involved. Visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/UniteToFight to download an informative pet cancer guide that highlights some of the most prevalent cancers that pet owners should be aware of. You can also help us understand the incidence rates of cancer by contributing your input to a health survey we are conducting. And as always, the gifts you send in today will help us continue this very important and meaningful work in the future.

Thank you for fighting back by committing to help Morris Animal Foundation invest in more research to discover what causes pet cancer and how we can prevent and cure this devastating disease. ✢

It’s no surprise that pet lovers everywhere stepped up to the challenge when we launched the Unite to Fight Pet Cancer Campaign in April. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death of cats and dogs worldwide.

Thanks to our very generous partner, The Blue Buffalo Company, we raised more than $125,000 through our matching gift campaign. Your generosity went twice as far because of Blue Buffalo’s commitment to match gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000!

Another incredible success was the Unite to Fight Pet Cancer Virtual Walk. More than 400 pet owners from around the globe committed to getting active with their pets on June 22, 2014. This fundraiser added an additional $52,000 toward Morris Animal Foundation’s funding for pet cancer research! We were tickled to see participation from coast to coast and from ocean to ocean!

Campaign update

Maddy and Zoey just finished walking in the Unite to Fight Pet

Cancer Virtual Walk. They walked in honor of big sister Mochi,

who we lost to hemangiosarcoma two years ago.

—Irene Levy

Finn and his Pet Cancer Virtual Walk from Sydney Harbour, Australia!

Calvin and I walked in honor of Dakota. Lost him to cancer last June. —Donna Hudak

Pet Cancer Virtual Walk maps from around the globe.

Animal lovers around the world United to Fight Pet Cancer

5www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

We at Morris Animal Foundation want to give a special thank you to Candace Verduce and her Golden Retriever pup, Stoli, for their spectacular fundraising achievements for the Unite to Fight Pet Cancer Virtual Walk. Having lost two of her own Goldens to cancer, Candace designed a t-shirt and held a fundraiser to raise money and awareness about the need for pet cancer research.

“I myself have lost two Golden Retrievers to hemangiosarcoma and now that I have Stoli and seeing this virtual walk going on, it just made sense to do something positive for a good cause,” Candace says.

Through her fundraiser, Candace raised more than $1,200 for pet cancer research, and we are beyond grateful for her support. Thanks, Candace, for all that you have done to raise awareness and help make a difference! ✢

We’d like to issue a special thank you to the wonderful students and their teacher, Ms. Higgins, at Cheney Middle School in Cheney, Kansas. By hosting a bake sale, the students raised $125, which they kindly donated to Morris Animal Foundation to support animal health. Thank you to all of the students and faculty who participated! ✢

Thank you Cheney Middle School

Dedicated dog lover raises dollars and awareness

HOW YOU CAN HELPUnite in RemembranceHonor a pet with a memorial gift that will help animals everywhere.

Survey to FightFill out a brief survey to participate in the scientific process and provide greater insight into the prevalence of cancer.

Download to FightLearn about common cancers affecting pets by reading our canine and feline cancer guides.

Visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/UniteToFight

Stoli, a Golden Retriever pup, and the t-shirt designed that helped to raise awareness for pet cancer research.

Thank you note to Morris Animal Foundation written by students at Cheney Middle School.

BACI

BOGEY 2003-2013

BOOMER

CINDY DESTINY

MAYCEE

MOJO NELLIE NELLIE NIKKI

SIERRA TEDDY WILEY ZACHARY

HONCHO KENDAL

KENYA LOGAN MANDY

DOX

GEMA

GRACIE GREDOS TG GUINNESS

In loving memoryFALL 2014

19 20181716

23 252221

432 5

131211 14 15

LADY PENELOPE BOBRICH

SHADOW & JENNY

At Morris Animal Foundation, we understand the love between people and their pets and the significance of losing these wonderful companions. Pets are part of our families, and this section honors the special animals that have touched their families’ lives.

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6 987 10

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Baci (1)Beloved DogFamily: Frank Leone & Denise VogtDonor: Heather Pigman

Bogey (2) Beloved Sweetest BoyFamily: The Bradley Family

Boomer (3)Beloved DogFamily: Pamela & Arnold Loeb

Cindy (4)BelovedFamily: Anna-Marie, Joel & Thomas SmithDonor: Anna-Marie & Joel Smith

Cody Beloved PetFamily: Liz Ellis

Destiny (5) Beloved DogFamily: Stephanie NickolichDonor: Lois Del Negro

Dox (6)Beloved CompanionFamily: The Hart Family

Dunkie, Stubby, Toby, Trixie & TylerBeloved PetsFamily: The Thompson Family Donor: The Doctors & Staff of Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

Gema (7)Beloved DogFamily: Deanna Monestero Donor: Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Ginger & HunterBeloved Pets Family: The Drinnon FamilyDonor: Laurie Drinnon

Gracie (8)Beloved FriendFamily: The Jeannerette Family

Gredos TG (9)Beloved Andalusian StallionFamily: The Pannhausen FamilyDonor: Mary Susan Paulini

Guinness (10)Beloved Irish WolfhoundFamily: The Lorenzen FamilyDonor: Art & Theresa Lorenzen

Honcho (11)Beloved DogFamily: Judith Ditfurth & Family

Kendal (12)Beloved English MastiffFamily: The Vogel Family

Kenya (13)Beloved Service Dog and CompanionFamily: Diane BrownDonor: Diane Brown, Susan Willis & Kris Bergstrand

Logan (14) Beloved CatFamily: Kelly Wilson & Matthew HallgrenDonor: Coalition to Unchain Dogs Family

Mandy (15)Beloved DogFamily: Joanne & John PickelmanDonor: Mary Jo Scholand

Maycee (16) Beloved PetFamily: The Reynolds Family

Mei Mei Beloved Super Cat Family: P. Brockway GossDonor: Pam & Donald Goss

Mojo (17)Beloved Italian GreyhoundFamily: The Niksich Family

“Nellie” Lady Penelope Bobrich (18)Beloved Miniature SchnauzerFamily: Barbara Bobrich & The Bobrich Family

Nellie (19)Beloved Golden RetrieverFamily: Joan Hodak

Nikki (20)Beloved DogFamily: Lauren & Michael D’Ambra

OscarBeloved CatFamily: Tracy BellDonor: Linda & Glenn Collins

PalBeloved DogFamily: The Bowen FamilyDonor: Dr. & Mrs. John Bowen

RowdyBeloved Thoroughbred HorseFamily: Joe & Marsha Mehaffey

Shadow & Jenny (21) Beloved DogsFamily: Cathy & John BoekerDonor: Jackie & Bill Johnston

Sierra (22)Beloved Golden RetrieverFamily: The Ehrlich & Bergoffen Families Donor: Paula & Jeff Ehrlich

SydneyBeloved PetFamily: Susan Hooven & Bob KarglDonor: Foster Johnston

Teddy (23)Beloved PetFamily: Joanie & Tony Del Castillo

Wiley (24)Beloved BeagleFamily: The Heaster, Ritter & O’Bryan FamiliesDonor: Brenda Heaster & Keith Ritter

WillieBeloved Black LabFamily: Amy Hunkeler, DVMDonor: John & Mary Hunkeler

Zachary (25)Beloved Siamese CatFamily: Thomas & Jeannette Poling

Special animals that have touched their families’ lives

The pets in this section were honored through qualifying donations made between March 16, 2014 and June 15, 2014. These gifts will be used to invest in science that creates a brighter world for animals.

With your gift of $200 or more per pet, you can include a special pet in the “In loving memory” section of AnimalNEWS. We will do our best to include the pet’s photo when you send it along with your donation.

For donations of $500 or more, a brass plate engraved with the pet’s name and his or her family’s name will also be added to

the Pet Memorial Wall located in Morris Animal Foundation’s headquarters. We will also send a special commemorative keepsake to the family.

For more information about tribute options, or to make your gift, visit the “Donate” section of our website and click on Memorial and Honor Gifts, or use the prepaid envelope included in AnimalNEWS.

*About the listing above: When there is no donor listed, the pet’s family made the tribute gift.

The dog who sees inside a veteran’s soulB Y K E L LY D I E H L , D V M , M S , D I P L . A C V I M ( S m a l l A n i m a l M e d i c i n e )

With more than 1,500 Golden Retrievers and counting, the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is already the largest study ever conducted to advance veterinary medicine for dogs. Ultimately, Morris Animal Foundation aims to help determine risk factors for and gain insight into preventing canine cancer and other canine diseases. One veteran knows just how vital this study is for our beloved furry companions.

After Devin Rodriguez was discharged from the Marine Corps in 2012, he needed a companion to ease his tensions and the stress caused by the transition from life as a Marine to civilian life.

“Cali gave me that and so much more,” he says, adding that the Golden Retriever’s role in his life goes beyond simple companionship.

“Finding a best friend with the loyalty of a dog is one of the most amazing experiences that a human can be a part of,” Devin says. “A dog can see inside your soul and steal your heart in just a few slobbery kisses.” We all know that, but for a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress, being paired with a canine companion can truly be a lifesaver.

Cali and Devin are celebrating their second year of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Devin first learned about the study from Hilda Wood, a field trial and hunt test competitor from southern Florida, and he knew he had to be a part of it. Devin is intrigued by the possibility of unlocking genetic information that could improve the health of the breed that has become so important to him and that could benefit others who use Golden Retrievers as assistance dogs.

Devin and Cali recently earned their first AKC Master Hunter pass. Once the southern season is over,

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Devin reports, they will return to working on their obedience training. Because of the positive influence Cali’s presence has had on his well-being, Devin has made it his mission to “…educate as many people as possible about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and the joy it can bring to people’s lives.” He ultimately hopes to partner with others to raise awareness about how much animals can benefit the human spirit.

The Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is truly a golden opportunity to fight back against canine cancer.

Help us become 3,000 Goldens strong. Register your dog today at www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org ✢

Become a Golden VolunteerWould you like to do more to support Morris Animal Foundation’s groundbreaking Golden Retriever Lifetime Study? Become a Golden Volunteer!

Golden Volunteers are needed throughout the contiguous United States to help us promote the study at a grassroots level. Our Golden Volunteers use their unique talents to help us make this study a success. Volunteer efforts play an integral part in the fight against canine cancer and offer hope for a healthier future for dogs worldwide.

Learn more today at www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org/become-a-golden-volunteer.

Thank you to our sponsors:

To Marine veteran Devin Rodriguez, Cali is a hero in more ways than one.

7www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

PetSafe partnership pays multiple dividendsB Y S C O T T K O S K O S K I , D I R E C T O R O F M A J O R & P L A N N E D G I V I N G

What does a city need to do to be known as the pet-friendliest in America? The people of Knoxville, Tennessee think they have the answer—and Morris Animal Foundation is a key part of their efforts.

PetSafe, a leading pet products company headquartered in Knoxville, is working through an innovative private-public partnership to make the area the nation’s “Most Pet Friendly” community.

Why Knoxville? Not only does the city have an excellent infrastructure for accommodating pets at public venues and facilities, but it also features an extensive dog park and dedicated pet-friendly park acreage. Additionally, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and its leading-edge programs. The “Most Pet Friendly” effort focuses on fostering a culture of pet friendliness throughout the community.

Knoxville also needed a partnership with a leading animal nonprofit to give additional momentum toward its vision, and that’s where Morris Animal Foundation comes in. The Foundation has funded millions of dollars in small and large animal health research at the University of Tennessee, and also shares a relationship with Radio Systems Corporation, parent company of PetSafe. PetSafe makes hundreds of pet products ranging from mattresses to water bowls.

Fortunately, PetSafe and the Foundation knew they shared the same goal: to work together to increase funding for animal health research. PetSafe’s philanthropic passion is canine cancer, which aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to fight pet cancer through its Canine Lifetime Health Project and other initiatives.

Soon, a game plan emerged: PetSafe would contribute toward the Knoxville region’s effort to become America’s Most Pet Friendly City by working with the Foundation to organize and host two major annual community events. The Foundation would receive all proceeds to help in the battle against canine cancer.

The Black Tie & Tails Gala and the Knoxville K9 Cancer Walk were launched. After two years of these events, more than $200,000 has been raised from nearly 2,000 Knoxville-area participants.

“Like so many pet owners, many of our PetSafe associates have been personally affected by canine cancer,” says Jim Tedford, CAWA, director of animal welfare initiatives for the company. “Our extended work family includes many, many beloved dogs who join us at the office every day. When one of them is impacted by cancer, we all rally around him, just like our friends at Morris Animal Foundation rally around animals worldwide.”

Of course, a gala in America’s Pet Friendliest City had to be pet-friendly! Attendees of the annual August soiree at a swanky downtown hotel are encouraged to bring their pups—provided they’re dressed to the nines as well. While the human guests mingle and munch in the main ballroom, canine guests do the same in the ballroom next door. Owners and their pets reunite at the end of the event, which features impressive auctions, glittery guests and heartwarming stories about the role animals play in our lives and the importance of funding research to maximize their health.

The K9 Cancer Walk, held about a month after the gala, is no less impressive. Staged at The Cove at Concord Park, more than 500 dog owners and their furry friends gather at the starting line and, after a hearty rendition of Rocky Top by UT’s “Pride of the Southland” marching band, are off to walk and raise funds for canine cancer. Dozens of vendors from all walks of the animal world, flanked by special celebrity guests, help make the day complete. This year’s walk will be held on September 21. continued on page 8

PLEASE CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN TO ASK PET HEALTH QUESTIONS.

Our staff is unable to provide veterinary medical advice. The opinions of study investigators may not necessarily be those of your companion animal’s veterinarian.

Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization and is tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service w (c)(3). Our audited financial statement and state registration information are available upon request.

Materials, including photographs and artwork, in this publication may be reprinted only with the permission of Morris Animal Foundation. Please write or call to receive financial information or permission to reprint materials: Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 E. Girard Ave., Suite B430, Denver, Colorado 80231, or call us at 800.243.2345.

To remove your name from Morris Animal Foundation’s mailing list, send an email to mailbox@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org or call us at 800.243.2345.

S TA F FexecutiveDavid Haworth, DVM, PhD, President/CEO Dan Reed, Chief Development OfficerJohn Taylor, Chief Operating Officer Diane Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Chief Scientific Officer

animalnews contributorsKelly J. Diehl, DVM, MS, DIPL. ACVIM (Small Animal Medicine); Leslie Hansen; Heidi Jeter; Diane Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Liz Nahon, DVM; Scott Koskoski

B O A R D O F T R U S T E E SofficersJames Kutsch Jr., PhD, Chair of the BoardAmy Hunkeler, DVM, DACVO, Vice ChairSusan Giovengo, DVM, PhD, MA, BS, Corporate Secretary Colin Giles, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Treasurer

board membersPrema Arasu, PhD, DVM, MBA Deborah Davenport, DVM, MS, DACVIMRobert C. GainWalter George Clinton Lewis, Jr.Patrick Long, DVMJonna Mazet, DVM, MPVM, PhDBette Morris, PhDCynthia Morris David Morris David Petrie Stanley Teeter, DVM

presidents emeritiBetty White LuddenTom Sullivan

trustees emeritiEve AndersonG. Marvin Beeman, DVMErik BergishagenLewis Berman, DVMRoger BohartMark Carter, PhDR. Anthony ChamberlinMrs. Robert V. Clark, Jr.Robert DettermanSue Ane Langdon EmrekLester Fisher, DVM

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Murray Fowler, DVMRichard GebhardtAlan KalterArlene KleinDaniel Marsh, Jr.Dayle MarshDennis Murphy Peter RhulenKen RosenthalMary Silkworth

The most impressive part of these two major events is that they are completely organized and executed by PetSafe employees.

“Community engagement is a hallmark of the team at PetSafe,” Tedford says. “When we find an effort we believe in, our associates get on board quickly and pursue good work with boundless energy and enthusiasm.”

The passion that PetSafe has for Morris Animal Foundation is returned in equal measure.

“PetSafe’s partnership with the Foundation to help put an end to canine cancer is inspiring to see,” says Kate O’Brien, the Foundation’s senior events specialist. “I’ve come to know many PetSafe employees who go above and beyond their workdays to make these important events happen for our behalf. This form of employee involvement is exciting for them. They want to work at PetSafe in part to do meaningful things for a cause they deeply care about. We’re privileged to have PetSafe’s support, which starts with CEO Randy Boyd, and continues to Jim Tedford, who ensures the partnership stretches to every level of the company.”

And the corporate-nonprofit innovative partnership model is not limited to Knoxville.

“We’d encourage any company with a desire to affiliate with an animal nonprofit and a wish to conduct meaningful employee engagement to get inspired by PetSafe and make it happen in their own community,” O’Brien says. “Whether large or small, only good things can come from this kind of activity, and ultimately, it’s the animals we care about so deeply who benefit.”

In Knoxville’s case, one of those benefits is the chance to break out a doggy tuxedo once a year. ✢

UPCOMING EVENTSIndy K9 Cancer Walk • Indianapolis, IN • September 13 Knoxville K9 Cancer Walk • Knoxville, TN • September 21 Elk Grove K9 Cancer Walk • Elk Grove, CA • October 12

For more information or to register, please visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/events or call 800.243.2345.

The BlogPaws 2014 Pet Blogging and Social Media Award winners were recently announced in an exclusive red carpet ceremony that was live-streamed from Lake Las Vegas, Nevada. Winners were selected “Oscar style” by a panel of pet professionals and presented by Pet360. This year, Morris Animal Foundation took home the award for Best Use of Social Media by a 501(c)3!

“This is one of the highest honors in the pet social media world, awarded to bloggers and microbloggers for excellence in 12 categories,” BlogPaws’ co-founder, Yvonne DiVita shares. “Finalists were selected from over 1,000 entries, and judged by a panel of industry experts.”

With over 127,000 likes on Facebook and 13,500 followers on Twitter, our social reach is broad—and sure to grow! If you aren’t a part of this group, we invite you to join our online community today. ✢

PetSafe partnership (continued)

Morris Animal Foundation named a 2014 BlogPaws winner