This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care. I was listening to a Betty White Ludden "Here We Go Again" audiobook this morning and just marveling at how amazing this woman is in every way but especially in her love and advocating for animals so I decided to devote this diary to the Morris Animal Foundation where she is one of the Presidents Emeriti.
Does she know all
The meaning of life
The secret behind love
The sagest of guides
Is she the answer
To any problem posed
She sits so serene
What worlds does she know
Can she see past life
When she looks at the sky
She gazes into my soul
With those glowing green eyes
Does she understand
What dark matter is
Is the love that she gives
The greatest of gifts
Some would say she's just a cat
But I know the truth
She's the wisdom of ages
In a purring cat suit
Morris Animal Foundation - Denver, CO
The website is here
You can donate here
About Us
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The Foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for companion animals, horses and wildlife.
Our History
A vision of HOPE
Morris Animal Foundation started with a man who changed the course of veterinary medicine forever. And we’ve been building upon his legacy for more than 60 years.
When Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr. established Morris Animal Foundation in 1948, he envisioned a world in which scientific discoveries would transform the health of animals. His dream began with Buddy, who was among the first guide dogs in the United States.
Buddy suffered from kidney disease, and his owner, Morris Frank, then the national ambassador for the Seeing Eye, sought Dr. Morris’s advice. Dr. Morris created a special diet that dramatically improved Buddy’s health. He and his wife, Louise, canned the food in their kitchen. When they could no longer meet increasing demand from the veterinary community, they partnered with the Hill Packing Company to produce what later became the first Hill’s Pet Nutrition Prescription Diet. Dr. Morris used the royalties from that diet to establish Morris Animal Foundation, and the first two studies funded looked at nutrition in cats and dogs.
Dr. Morris became a pioneer in creating diets that could manage disease in animals and a leader who shaped the veterinary industry. His vision and love for animals also made Morris Animal Foundation what it is today: a foundation solely for animals and improving their health.
Donate - We always needs funds for medical treatment for every animal saved. Please also visit our vet bill section to see our monthly cost. We spend $3500-$6000 EVERY MONTH!
Foster - Open your door to one of our pets to temporarily have a loving home with YOU until it finds its forever home.
Volunteer - Put aside a few hours to help us help homeless pets in our community.
Spay & Neuter-Do Your Part and Spay and Neuter ALL pets in your care or you come across!
Become a Partner
When you partner with Morris Animal Foundation, you partner with a global leader in veterinary research. Our funding helps more animals in more places than that of any other organization in the world. We always welcome the opportunity to develop new partnerships with like-minded companies, breed clubs, associations and foundations. Whether you are interested in a monetary partnership or a cause-marketing partnership, we would like to talk.
How can you partner with Morris Animal Foundation?
Work with Morris Animal Foundation to create an integrated partnership
Develop a cause-related marketing campaign benefiting Morris Animal Foundation
Become a National Series Walk Sponsor
Do it Yourself Fundraising
Together, we can change the course of veterinary medicine and make the world a better place for animals. To learn more about partnerships, please contact Roxanne Davis, Director of Organizational Giving at rdavis@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Our Work
Our work makes a global impact
Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in supporting scientific research that advances veterinary medicine. Since our founding, we’ve invested more than $92 million toward more than 2,300 studies that have improved the health and quality of life for dogs, cats, horses and wild life in more than 150 countries around the world.
These studies have led to better preventions, diagnostic tools, treatment protocols and even cures for what ails the world’s animals. Some of these breakthroughs have become industry gold standards and are used in every veterinary practice in the country.
At any given time, Morris Animal Foundation is managing about 300 animal health and welfare research studies at the world’s most respected research institutions, colleges of veterinary medicine and zoos. Each year, we also fund about 30 veterinary student scholar projects.
Here are some of the significant health advances that have occurred for animals because of our funding.
Cat Health Successes
Veterinary advances for cats
Since 1950, Morris Animal Foundation has invested in more than 300 feline health studies for a total of more than $9.5 million. Here are some of the significant health advances that have occurred for cats because of our funding.
Dietary Management of Diabetes: Investigators determined that a high-protein diet could help cats with diabetes lose weight and may eliminate the need for insulin. Veterinarians now incorporate this information into treatment plans for diabetic cats.
Improved Shelter Management of Respiratory Illnesses: Multiple studies provided significant information into about how to improve the health and well-being of cats in shelters. This body of research has led to the development of a new type of cage and recommendations for shelter personnel. These studies are changing the way cats are being housed in shelters and reducing the spread of upper respiratory infection, ensuring more cats are healthy and adoptable.
Tool for Studying Genetic Diseases: The Foundation supported the development of a genetic tool that scientists across the country are using to discover genetic mutations and predispositions to feline diseases, thereby helping veterinarians provide early diagnostics and treatment.
First Vaccine for Feline Leukemia: Studies helped lead to the first vaccine for feline leukemia, which has saved the lives of thousands of cats.
Tools to Diagnose and Treat Cancer: Researchers developed tools to better diagnose and treat cats with inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer. Scientists also improved a technique to distinguish between injection-site sarcomas and other forms of cancer, thus helping veterinarians choose the proper treatment.
Potential Vaccine to Decrease Overpopulation: Researchers developed a long-acting, single-dose contraceptive vaccine for feral cats. Such a vaccine has the potential to help control feral cat populations worldwide and reduce the number of homeless cats in an inexpensive and humane way.
Treatment and Monitoring of Heart Disease: Cats at risk for blood clotting associated with heart disease were successfully treated with antiplatelet drugs. In another study, researchers used a device to monitor cats taking platelet-inhibiting medications. Now veterinarians can measure platelet levels in their clinics and adjust medications as needed.
Dog Health Successes
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Veterinary advances for dogs
Since 1950, Morris Animal Foundation has invested in more than 800 canine health studies for a total of $30 million. Here are some of the significant health advances that have occurred for dogs because of our funding.
Improved Cancer Treatments and Diagnostics: As a leader in funding animal cancer studies, Morris Animal Foundation has supported nearly 200 canine cancer studies. These studies have led to more effective treatments for bone cancer, soft-tissue sarcomas and lymphoma; the development of an early diagnostic test for lymphoma; and the identification of genetic causes for lymphoma. Funding also helped establish two programs for training cancer scientists and a national tumor tissue bank, which helps canine cancer researchers study eight different canine cancers.
Genetic Tests to Identify Blindness Genes: Scientists identified the genes that are predictive to progressive retinal atrophy, a group of diseases that cause blindness in dogs, and developed breed-specific DNA tests to identify carriers of the gene. These tests are helping to prevent blindness in 47 breeds.
First Parvovirus Vaccine: Foundation funding supported the development of the first parvovirus vaccine, which has saved the lives of thousands of dogs.
Prevention and Treatment for Bladder Stones: Researchers used a laser lithotripsy technique to noninvasively remove bladder and urethral stones in dogs, allowing for rapid recovery. In another study, researchers determined genetic mutations that predispose Dalmatians, Bulldogs and Black Russian Terriers to bladder stones and developed a DNA-based test to identify high-risk dogs. Breeders can use this test to breed out the mutation.
Advanced Treatment of Heart Conditions: Multiple studies have improved treatments for canine heart conditions. Scientists successfully used radiofrequency catheter ablation to treat and permanently cure dogs with accessory pathways in the heart. Another study used a silicone cuff to treat portosystemic shunts, the second most common congenital cardiovascular abnormality in dogs.
Diets to manage kidney disease: Early Foundation-funded studies helped define the role of protein and phosphorus in the diets of dogs with kidney failure, helping veterinarians to manage the condition with nutrition interventions. A recent study determined that a daily low dose of calcitriol stabilizes kidney function and slows disease progression.
Veterinary advances for horses
Since 1959, Morris Animal Foundation has invested in more than 350 equine health studies for a total of nearly $13 million. Here are some of the significant health advances that have occurred for horses because of our funding.
Discovery of Inherited Diseases: Foundation-funded studies provided important information that was used to sequence the equine genome and develop genetic tools that have helped identify the causes of inherited diseases. They’ve also discovered the suspected chromosomal locations for genes contributing to polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM, a form of tying-up), cribbing, lordosis and other diseases. Foundation-funded grants also determined that recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (another form of tying-up), is inherited in Thoroughbreds.
Nutritional Management of Muscle Cramping: Funding over the past 20 years has led to better management of polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) through nutrition and exercise. The studies also determined that type 1 PSSM is genetic and primarily affects quarter horses, draft horses and warmbloods.
Tests for inherited diseases: Research led to tests to detect carriers of lavender foal syndrome, a fatal inherited disease of Arabian foals, and combined immunodeficiency disease, an inherited disease that inhibits a foal’s ability to fight infection. These tests are helping to breed out disease.
Pain Relief Options for Horses: Several studies proved the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Another study developed a technique that uses catheters to alleviate pain in the equine forelimb and may be particularly beneficial in conditions such as laminitis. Researchers learned that a commonly used pain reliever impedes the intestinal repair process in horses that have undergone colic surgery, indicating that the drug should be used sparingly. These studies have improved pain management for horses.
Novel Therapy for Eye Cancer: Researchers developed a novel approach that uses photodynamic therapy to successfully treat a type of cancer that affects the eye in horses.
Veterinary advances for wildlife
Since 1967, Morris Animal Foundation has invested in more than 500 wildlife health studies for a total of nearly $16 million. Here are some of the significant health advances that have occurred for wildlife because of our funding.
Diagnosing and Managing Infectious Disease: Foundation-funded studies improved knowledge of infectious disease risk factors for endangered California sea otters, leading to improved management policies and increased legal protection. Researchers developed tests to determine whether turtles and tortoises have active infection with the deadly Ranavirus, which allows for better treatment. A study in Africa determined risk factors that lead to disease transmission between primates, domestic livestock and people. The information will help prevent disease spread.
Veterinary Care for Mountain Gorillas: Nearly 25 years of funding for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) has provided emergency veterinary care to the highly endangered mountain gorillas of east central Africa, which has helped ensure the species’ survival and even led to increases in their population numbers. The MGVP now thrives as an independent organization.
Reproductive Successes: Researchers established a sperm genome resource bank for highly endangered Namibian cheetahs as well as protocols that allow wildlife veterinarians to use assisted reproductive technologies without having to move wild animals from their natural habitat in Africa. Scientists developed assisted breeding protocols that resulted in the world’s first endangered amphibians produced by in vitro fertilization and then released into the wild. Foundation funding assisted in the development of artificial insemination protocols that resulted in the births of pandas in captivity.
Improved Rehabilitation for Wild Animals: Research led to recommended treatment modifications for sea turtles and seabirds suffering from red tide intoxication, which has lessened the rates of serious injuries and fatalities in marine life. In another study, scientists developed a new tool that monitors stress in injured owls undergoing rehabilitation, thereby improving the management, health care and health outcomes of injured raptors throughout the rehabilitation process.
Legislative Protection for Endangered Species: Multiple studies funded by the Foundation led to state legislation that increased protections for endangered California sea otters. A Foundation-funded study influenced legislation in Argentina when results showed that native ducks were being harmed by the amount of lead bullets contaminating their waters after each hunting season.
Pain Control for Captive Species: Research studies helped scientists determine how to control pain in fish and determined appropriate medications and dosing levels for managing pain in turtles, bearded dragons and parrots. In another study, researchers developed a unique way to administer pain medications to wild cats in captivity, making it possible to control pain in these animals.
Safer Anesthesia for African Species: Researchers established safe anesthetic–drug protocols for giraffes and rhinos, improving their safety when medical treatment is needed.
We love you Betty!