W H E R E
S C I E N C E
M E E T S
H O P E
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The best wish ever B Y K E L LY D I E H L , D V M , M S , D A C V I M A N D LIZ NAHON, DVM
When 5-year-old Carly was granted a wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, she didn’t hesitate in asking for a Golden Retriever puppy. Carly had been diagnosed with cancer shortly after their family’s beloved Golden Retriever, Clover, had passed away. As the little girl struggled through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, a therapy dog named Grissom lifted her spirits. Still, Carly wished for a puppy of her own. That wish became reality on Christmas 2013, when Carly received Gracie. Her mother, Jaime, notes, “That’s when their beautiful story began and it continues to grow with each passing day.” Jaime believes that Gracie was exactly what their family needed to get through the toughest of days. “When Gracie joined our family, we were at a point where we desperately needed happiness, and Gracie brought us exactly that,” she explains. Gracie has made a huge difference in Carly’s life. They are the closest of friends and have even shared clothes! Now a year after Gracie joined the family, Carly is healthy and stronger than ever and Gracie continues to be an uplifting spirit for Carly and the entire family. “Our family took a trip to Disney to celebrate this past year. Carly asked me how many days we would be gone and she insisted on telling Gracie how much she loved her, one time for each day we would be gone,” Jaime says. “Their souls just speak to one another.” Gracie will also make a huge difference for dogs by enrolling in Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Jaime had heard about the study prior to Gracie’s arrival, and it intrigued her immediately. She felt the study could have an important impact on veterinary and human medicine.
5-year-old Carly hugs her best friend, Gracie.
“So much has been done for our family since Carly’s illness—things that in a lifetime could still never be repaid,” Jaime says. “What we continually strive to do is to pay forward as much as we can. Enrolling Gracie into this study not only does that, but the implications could be potentially historic.” With Carly growing stronger each day, Gracie is by her side each step of the way. As part of the Golden study, Gracie is a hero in the fight against canine cancer. Gracie is indeed the best wish ever. Make this new year truly golden and help us become 3,000 Goldens strong. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, the largest and longest study ever undertaken to improve canine health, is monitoring 3,000 Golden Retrievers to help find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat canine cancer in not only Goldens but in all breeds of dogs. Enrollment is filling up, so be sure to take advantage of this golden opportunity to fight canine cancer! Register your dog today at www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org. ✢
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IN THIS ISSUE 2 Your gifts at work 3 Measuring hormones that affect recovery in stranded sea turtles
4 Foundation surpasses matching-gift challenge for animal health research funds
Your gifts at work For the past 67 years, Morris Animal Foundation has been a global leader in funding studies to advance animal health. Without the help of generous donors, like you, we could not fulfill our mission to improve the health of cats, dogs, horses and wildlife worldwide.
5 One month, one gift: Countless animals’
New Drug Formulation Could Make Giving Cats Their Meds Easier
6 Researchers work for the West’s
The drug pimobendan is used to treat congestive heart failure in cats, but its large tablets, which must be given orally, can be challenging for owners to administer. This often results in missed doses and suboptimal disease control. Researchers from North Carolina State University are investigating whether a transdermal gel formulation of pimobendan is as effective as the oral formulation in delivering therapeutic levels of the drug. If proven effective, use of a transdermal gel formulation would help owners of cats with heart disease give their pets the best chance for survival and optimal quality of life. ✢
lives changed for the better bighorn sheep
7 Protecting pooches from the flu 8 Colorado goldens gather
Genetic Regions Identified for Two Cancers in Golden Retrievers
OUR MISSION
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. AnimalNEWS
Volume 15 Issue 1 Winter 2015
AnimalNEWS is published four times a
Up to 40 percent of Golden Retrievers will be diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma or lymphoma in their lifetime. Currently, the relationship between heritability and susceptibility for these tumors in Golden Retrievers remains unknown. With Foundation funding, a multi-institutional research team from Uppsala University in Sweden, the University of Minnesota and North Carolina State University recently identified two genetic regions associated with a higher risk for these two cancers in this breed. This is a critical step toward designing strategies for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these common cancers. ✢
Candidate Gene Identified for Neurological Disease in Horses Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) is the second most common degenerative central nervous system disease in horses. Clinical signs, including lack of coordination and dull mental state, are first observed in horses younger than 3 years of age, and most affected horses demonstrate clinical signs as early as 6 to 12 months. NAD is difficult to diagnose, and postmortem examination of the spinal cord is the only way currently to establish a definitive diagnosis. Researchers from the University of Minnesota analyzed tissue and DNA samples from NAD-affected and unaffected control horses and identified a candidate gene that warrants further investigation. Should a genetic marker be identified, it would allow breeders and veterinarians to evaluate an animal’s status before breeding, helping to decrease the incidence of NAD in horses. ✢
year by Morris Animal Foundation. 720 South Colorado Boulevard Suite 174A Denver, Colorado 80246 T OL L- F R EE
800.243.2345
P
303.790.2345
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
©2015 Morris Animal Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Introduced Fungus Poses Threat to Endangered Amphibians Wild frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are declining at alarming rates. Infectious diseases, including the skin fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), are considered one of the most serious threats affecting wild amphibian populations. A multiinstitutional team of researchers from the Zoological Society of London, the Imperial College London, Ghent University in Belgium and the University of Wisconsin discovered that Bd was likely imported to Europe via the exotic pet trade. Their data indicated a consistent, low level of Bd infection in pet trade amphibians imported to Europe from the United States and other countries. Researchers are continuing efforts to verify that invasive and nonnative amphibian species can act as reservoirs of Bd in the United Kingdom and, therefore, could pose a threat to wild, native amphibians. Findings are being shared with European government officials in hopes of developing strategies and policies to improve health screening of pet trade animals, which would help mitigate the Bd infection risk in wild endangered amphibians. ✢
Measuring hormones that affect recovery in stranded sea turtles 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
There is no question that Drs. Kathleen Hunt, Charles Innis and Rosalind Rolland are passionate about what they do. Their dedication was clear when Morris Animal Foundation staff members visited the researchers at the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts last year. The veterinary scientists are working to improve recovery rates in stranded sea turtles, with the help of funding from Morris Animal Foundation. During the cold weather season, juvenile Kemp’s ridley and other endangered sea turtles become stranded on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The animals suffer from low body temperatures, reduced metabolic rates and other physical problems. The number of stranded turtles has been particularly high in this area recently, and more than 300 turtles have been admitted to the aquarium’s rehabilitation center over the past two years. To better understand the health of these stranded animals and to identify markers that may help with recovery rates, Dr. Hunt and her colleagues have been studying hormone levels in stranded Kemp’s ridley and other sea turtles. In early findings, the researchers discovered that cold-stunned turtles had abnormal blood corticosterone (a stress hormone) and thyroid hormone levels. Thyroid hormone, in particular, remained low for longer than two months, especially in the animals with lower feeding activity. With the help of Morris Animal Foundation funding, the researchers have since collected blood samples and clinical records on about 100 cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that were rescued and brought to the New England Aquarium for veterinary care. They are now studying additional hormone levels in these animals to determine whether hormone supplementation might help turtles recover more quickly and searching for a correlation between specific hormone levels
One of the study’s Kemp’s ridley turtles is shown here upon successful release back to the ocean.
and individual turtle survival. Samples from other stranded, endangered turtle species, including loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles, are also being collected and stored for future analysis. The team hopes to improve understanding of the overall health condition of the cold-stunned and stranded animals and to apply their findings to improve diagnosis and prognosis during the recovery effort. They are optimistic that implementing new and effective treatment strategies could improve recovery times for the turtles. Ultimately this would allow for better management and clinical care decisions for these rare sea turtles so they could be returned to the wild. Morris Animal Foundation is committed to improving wildlife health worldwide through funding studies, such as this one at the New England Aquarium, that benefit endangered marine species, including Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. ✢
Loggerhead turtles often become stranded during the cold season, and scientists hope to improve recovery efforts.
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Foundation surpasses matching-gift challenge for animal health research funds Animal lovers across the country invested in a brighter future for animals this past holiday season. Thousands of supporters helped Morris Animal Foundation secure $100,000 in matching funds—made possible by three generous anonymous donors—and helped us meet our $500,000 Season of Hope Campaign goal. “I am humbled by the overwhelming support of our Season of Hope Campaign. Thank you for continuing to trust us in funding the highest-quality science to advance animal health,” says Dr. David Haworth, Foundation president and CEO. These donations will help support the 53 studies already selected for funding this year as part of our Healthy Animals Program. The Foundation’s scientific advisory boards will also recommend additional new studies for wildlife in March and for cats and dogs in June. These studies could significantly advance animal health. With Foundation funding, scientists hope to • Understand why and how canine osteosarcoma tumors spread • Determine an easier way to give cats heart medication • Develop a tool for assessing the health of endangered whales
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• Evaluate the effectiveness of a postsurgical pain patch for dogs • Improve strategies for researching viral disease in elephants • Develop an early diagnostic test for diabetes in cats It’s true that donations fuel the Foundation’s work, but we also deeply value our partnership and friendship with you, our supporters. Our Season of Hope Campaign allowed us to connect with and hear from so many of you this holiday season. Your stories about why you believe the greatest gift to animals is a lifetime of good health will inspire us this year as we work to create a healthier tomorrow for animals worldwide. Please continue to share your story and photos of hope and health throughout the year on Facebook at, www.facebook.com/morrisanimal. ✢
One month, one gift: Countless animals’ lives changed for the better BY LIZ NAHON, DVM
How many times have you thought about animals today? Odds are that you are reading this because animals have an important place in your life, and if you could do something meaningful and convenient to help animals each time you thought about them, you wouldn’t hesitate to do just that. With the New Year upon us, what better way to help and honor the animals in your life by becoming a Morris Animal Foundation Loyal Friend? Our Loyal Friends monthly giving program is a reliable and sustainable source of support that provides weeks, months and years of funding for the best science to improve animal health and save lives. Every gift you provide means change, which means that as a Loyal Friend, each time you think about the animals you love, you will know that you are actively doing something to help advance animal health. “Every month when I see my gift to Morris Animal Foundation on my credit card statement, I just smile and think to myself, that was a good choice on my part,” says Jill McCalister, of San Antonio, Texas, and a Loyal Friend of more than a year.
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
“My kids have had many pets throughout the years and I feel as close to them as if they were my own. Each time I make my monthly gift, I feel so good knowing that I have done something that benefits my children’s animals and all Jill McCalister with her animals,” Jill continues. “The daughter’s dog, Max. best part is I don’t even have to think about it. My gifts are automatic and I feel good knowing that Morris Animal Foundation is trustworthy and helping animals in need. I can always count on Morris.” Thank you to all of our Loyal Friends for providing the crucial support that is needed to further our mission. Becoming a Loyal Friend is now easier than ever. Be sure to select the Loyal Friends monthly giving option when mailing in your gift today! Or, go online to www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/Monthly-Giving or call us at 800.243.2345. Create change that lasts by signing up to become a Loyal Friend. ✢
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Researchers work for the West’s bighorn sheep B Y K E L LY D I E H L , D V M , M S , D A C V I M
“The proud, lordly bearing of an old ram makes him look exactly what he is, one of the noblest of …animals… As a mountaineer he is the embodiment of elastic, sinewy strength…He hardly ever makes a mistake, even when rushing at speed over the slippery, ice-coated crags in winter.” So writes Theodore Roosevelt about bighorn sheep in his 1896 book Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail. Few species are more closely identified with the West than the bighorn sheep. In the 1880s, 2 million bighorn sheep populated North America, but those numbers have plummeted to just 70,000. Massive mortality rates in bighorn sheep populations were first noted in the last century. There are several causes of this decline, including overhunting and competition with domestic livestock, and an importan risk factor is bacterial pneumonia, which wild sheep acquire from contact with domestic sheep. Domestic sheep are immune to the bacteria and carry it in their bodies as part of their normal flora, but bighorn sheep are highly susceptible to infection.
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Infectious pneumonia has caused mortality rates up to 90 percent in some herds, and the pneumonia tends to strike the most vulnerable sheep in the herd: newborn lambs. Herd numbers can’t recover because their youngest members are dying. Meanwhile, wildlife managers are desperate to find solutions to improve newborn lamb survival. Morris Animal Foundation has responded to the crisis by investing more than $1 million, most of which has been distributed over the past five years, in pneumonia research to help the bighorn sheep. Most of these studies are still underway, and scientists are focusing intensely on how to decrease lamb mortality. As yet, there is no way to treat sick animals or vaccinate healthy ones, so Morris Animal Foundation funding is helping to shape conservation management efforts so that these iconic symbols of the West can one day flourish again. ✢
Protecting pooches from the flu BY HEIDI JETER
Flu season is upon us—and canine companions need protection, too, especially if they are living in a shelter. Canine flu, also known as canine influenza virus (CIV), first emerged a decade ago, and since then it’s affected thousands of dogs. Most otherwise healthy dogs experience persistent coughing, runny nose and fever, and then they recover. However, some dogs develop a secondary bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment and can progress to pneumonia. The illness remains a significant problem for shelters. “In shelters, dogs may be more stressed,” says Dr. Gabriele Landolt, who with funding from Morris Animal Foundation was one of the first researchers to study the virus. “They may have other conditions, such as parasites or viral conditions, which make them more likely to develop complications that require antimicrobial treatment.” The disease spreads easily through respiratory droplets and can live a long time on objects such as clothing and countertops. The only real way to prevent an outbreak is to quarantine sick dogs for about two weeks, but many shelters don’t have capacity to quarantine large numbers of animals. Further complicating things is that dogs are contagious before they show clinical signs of disease. With Foundation funding, Dr. Landolt and Dr. Miranda Spindel, senior director of shelter medicine, department of research and development for the ASPCA, studied CIV infections in six shelters, and they discovered findings that could help shelters better manage canine flu outbreaks. The research team evaluated whether a commonly-used commercially available rapid bedside test could detect CIV infection as accurately as a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. PCR is the current gold standard diagnostic test, but results take 24 to 48 hours. Unfortunately, the rapid test proved to lack specificity, making it an impractical tool for most shelters. A significant finding from the study was that CIV is introduced from the community through dogs entering the shelter, rather than being perpetuated within the shelter. Dr. Landolt says this discovery was important. “Shelters in some communities had a bad reputation because they had recurrent outbreaks. There was fingerpointing that it was the shelter’s fault,” Dr. Landolt says. “Our study showed clearly that isn’t the case. If a shelter has a problem with CIV that means the community as a whole has a problem.” www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
Canine flu spreads easily. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccination.
Dr. Spindel agrees that it’s important to know that CIV exists in the community so that both shelters and dog owners can take preventive measures. Study results also suggest that shelters in communities with CIV need be vigilant in their intake processes. Both veterinarians point out that concern about CIV shouldn’t stop someone from adopting a shelter dog. Once a dog has been exposed to the virus, it develops immunity and usually won’t have a recurrence or suffer from severe long-term consequences. If your own dog hasn’t been exposed to CIV and it will be spending time in doggie daycare or boarding facilities, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about vaccination to keep your pooch healthy this winter season. ✢
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UPCOMING EVENTS S TA F F
executive
David Haworth, DVM, PhD, President/CEO Dan Reed, Chief Development Officer John Taylor, Chief Operating Officer Diane Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Chief Scientific Officer Chris Orzechowski, Chief Marketing Officer
animalnews contributors
Kelly J. Diehl, DVM, MS, DACVIM; Diane Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Leslie Hansen; Heidi Jeter; Liz Nahon, DVM; Jean Vore
South Florida K9 Cancer Walk • Coconut Creek, FL • January 25 San Diego K9 Cancer Walk • San Diego, CA • March 1 Los Gatos K9 Cancer Walk • Los Gatos, CA • April 19 For more information or to register, please visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/events or call 800.243.2345.
Colorado goldens gather
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
officers
James Kutsch Jr., PhD, Chair of the Board Amy Hunkeler, DVM, DACVO, Vice Chair Susan Giovengo, DVM, PhD, MA, BS, Corporate Secretary Colin Giles, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Treasurer
board members
Prema Arasu, PhD, DVM, MBA Deborah Davenport, DVM, MS, DACVIM Robert C. Gain Walter George Clinton Lewis Jr. Patrick Long, DVM Jonna Mazet, DVM, MPVM, PhD Bette Morris, PhD Cynthia Morris David Morris David Petrie Stanley Teeter, DVM
presidents emeriti Betty White Ludden Tom Sullivan
trustees emeriti
Eve Anderson G. Marvin Beeman, DVM Erik Bergishagen Lewis Berman, DVM Roger Bohart Mark Carter, PhD R. Anthony Chamberlin Mrs. Robert V. Clark Jr. Robert Detterman Sue Ane Langdon Emrek Lester Fisher, DVM
Murray Fowler, DVM Richard Gebhardt Alan Kalter Arlene Klein Daniel Marsh Jr. Dayle Marsh Dennis Murphy Peter Rhulen Ken Rosenthal Mary Silkworth
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, 720 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 174A, Denver, Colorado 80246, 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.
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It was a perfect combination: a park full of happy, healthy Golden Retriever study heroes and future heroes, their dedicated owners and a gorgeous autumn day in Colorado. The Golden Retriever Study Team was honored to meet many local Colorado study participants last fall during an event at Kennedy Dog Park in Denver. The event offered owners of Golden Retrievers a great opportunity to meet other study participants. A few long-lost friends, both four-legged and two-legged, even reunited at the event. The informal gathering served as a great pilot event that could be replicated across the country, providing a valuable opportunity for study participants to create a sense of community, which is extremely important for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study’s success. Study participant Nan Stuart’s entire litter out of Gopher’s Runs Like Kelso is supporting the study as a full family effort. Siblings Khaki, Kono, Kizzi, Korrigan, Kubota, Koaster and Kevlar spent the afternoon romping in a section of the park. Although the group of seven definitely shares a resemblance, each dog from blonde to dark red will provide Morris Animal Foundation with unique data for analysis in an overall effort to understand and improve canine health. Nan’s dogs, and other participating littermates, will provide valuable information about how environmental exposures affect dogs that share genetic lines. Join the effort today by learning more at www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org. ✢
Interested in hosting a local event? Contact tstevens@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org to learn more. Special announcement: We’ve moved! Morris Animal Foundation has moved to a great new space in Denver. Please make a note of our new address: 720 South Colorado Boulevard • Suite 174A • Denver, Colorado 80246
In loving memory WINTER 2015 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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2
APPY
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3
Bailywick Etoile d’Uma de la Chasse “KACHINA”
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CHATTERBOX
13
9
14
19
MAX
17
LILY
MICKEY
BOOMER
12
NICKY
18
24
RILEY
29
WARREN
JAKE
LUCA MAGGIE MAE
23
28
TRUMAN
BITSY
11
22
27
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HARLEY JEAN IKE THURSTON
KATIE KAT
MAX
TRIXIE
BILLY JOE
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21
26
TITAN
DIZNEY
KASHANA
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10
15
20
25
BEN
CLANCY
KADY PERRY
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WELLINGTON ASHTON
SPIKE HAYDEN
30
WILEY
Special animals that have touched their families’ lives Appy, had a heart as big as his purr (1) Beloved Cat, Touched The Lives Of Everyone He Met Family: Donna M. Payne
Asha Beloved Greyhound Family: Gary Ruzek Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Bailywick Etoile d’Uma de la Chasse “Kachina” (2) Beloved Briard Family: The Hunt Family Donor: Lana, Peter & the Bailywickians
Batman Beloved Greyhound Family: Kathryn & James Smith Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Ben (3) Beloved Shih Tzu Family: The Gernstein Family
Billy Joe (4)
Clancy (8)
Koda
Roy
Beloved Yorkshire Terrier Family: Sue Kirchoff & Ed Noulette Donor: Sue Kirchoff
Beloved Pet Family: The Siegel Family Donor: H. Arvid Johnson
Clifford
Lily (16)
Beloved Retired Racer & Friend Family: Don & Sue Hurter Donor: Bill, Sandy, Dexter, Willow & Merlin
Beloved Furry Friend Family: Lisa Carlson Donor: Bill, Sandy, Dexter, Willow & Merlin
Beloved Dog Family: Lois Kietir & Owen Ullmann
Luca (17) Beloved Golden Retriever Family: Vanessa Bonavia
Davy Beloved Golden Retriever and Bodyguard Family: Joann Fokes
Maggie Mae (18) Beloved Dachshund Family: Curt & Mary Conover
Dexter
Max (19)
Beloved Greyhound Family: Janet & Jon Broadhead Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Beloved German Shepherd Family: Jeffrey Trop & Family Donor: Kate Elliott
Diefenbaker
Max (20)
Beloved Pet Family: Bryan Hieronymus Donor: Hieronymus Family Fund, Inc.
Beloved Cat Family: Edna Schachter Donor: Joel Telpner
Dizney (9)
Melanie
Beloved Gelding Family: Joan Hodak
Beloved Golden Retriever & Therapy Volunteer Family: The Everetts
Bitsy (5)
Harley Jean Thurston (10)
Beloved Greyhound Family: Diana & Dan Marcotte Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Beloved Dog Family: Sandra D. Thurston
Boomer (6)
Beloved Collie Family: Carol S. Martin
Beloved Dog Family: Terry & Paula Spilde Donor: Sandy Poindexter
Ike (11)
Nick
Beloved Cat Family: The Hansen Family
Beloved Family Companion Family: The Benson Family Donor: Bill, Sandy, Dexter, Willow & Merlin
Beloved Dog Family: Pamela & Arnold Loeb
Candi Beloved Collie Family: Carol S. Martin
Champ Beloved Greyhound Family: Beth & Jon Underwood Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Mickey (21)
Heather
Jake (12) Beloved Cat Family: The Hansen Family
Nicky (22) Beloved Collie Family: Thomas & Jeannette Poling
Kady Perry (13)
Beloved Cat Family: Maggie Stephen
Beloved Pet Family: Fran Perry Donor: The Animal Lovers on Your HRBP Team
Chong
Kashana (14)
Beloved Cat Family: The Burrows Family Donor: Tom & Karen Conlin
Beloved Persian Princess Donor: Ellen Rayner
Chatterbox (7)
Beloved Hound Mix Family: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Robenhymer Donor: The Delmyra Country Club for Dogs & Cats
Phoenix Beloved Family Companion Family: The Bird Family Donor: Bill, Sandy, Dexter, Willow & Merlin
Riley (23) Beloved Cat Family: The Peebles Family Donor: Colleen & Roger Peebles
Katie Kat (15) Beloved Calico Cat Family: Curt & Mary Conover
*About the listings above: When there is no donor listed, the pet’s family made the tribute gift.
The pets in this section were honored through qualifying donations made between September 16, 2014, and December 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.
Saki Beloved Pet Family: Debbie Koons Donor: Kathleen West
Scooby Beloved Dog Family: The Toohey Family Donor: The Kerbs Family
Sophie Beloved Companion Family: Stephen Lam & Tripp Hudson Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Spike Hayden (24) Beloved Super Cat Family: George & Camille Hayden Donor: Andy & Bonnie Hayden
Titan (25) Beloved Dog Family: The Loscalzo Family Donor: Anonymous
Trixie (26) Beloved Greyhound Family: Donna & Kris Seago Donor: Sally Rau McIntosh
Truman (27) Beloved Friend & Companion Family: Debby & Terry Fitch Donor: The Truman Collar Website
Warren (28) Beloved Pet Family: Paige Miller Donor: Susan & Doug Miller
Wellington Ashton (29) Beloved Dog Family: The Ashton Family Donor: The Petplan Family
Wiley (30) Beloved Beagle Family: The Heaster, Ritter & O’Bryan Families Donor: Brenda Heaster & Keith Ritter
Zorro Beloved Pet Family: Jennifer Woodward Donor: Donald & Pam Goss
For donations of $500 or more, 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.