Pet Cancer Awareness Month

The “c-word” – cancer; nobody wants to find out that anybody they love has been diagnosed with cancer, including our dear cats. Even though cancer isn’t as common in cats as it is in dogs, it’s often more aggressive, so vigilance and consistent veterinary care is needed.

To that end, Blue Buffalo, The Blue Buffalo Foundation For Cancer Research, the Morris Animal Foundation, The Reidel & Cody Fund and Petco have partnered for the fourth annual Pet Cancer Awareness Month with the goal of raising $1.5 million to help find cures and assist families in need to cover the cost of treatments.

Their mission consists of three “critical” goals:

• Raise awareness. Feline and canine cancer is the number one problem for pets.
• Provide information. The more pet parents know as to minimizing risks, the more they’re “empowered to help.”
• Raise money. Pet Cancer Awareness provides funds to universities and clinics that conduct research on the causes, prevention and treatment of feline and canine cancer. All donations  go to The Blue Buffalo Foundation For Cancer Research.

Besides donating via the Internet, pet parents may visit their local Petco stores throughout the month of May and make a donation by:

• ‘Rounding up’ an in-store purchase to the next dollar at the register
• Choosing a dollar amount at the register
• Purchasing any bag of BLUE dog or cat food ($1 will be donated for every bag sold in the month of May)

For more information about Pet Cancer Awareness Month, including pet cancer facts, resources and a link to tell your pet cancer story, visit the Pet Cancer Awareness Month website.

Photo of her kitty niece Carrie is courtesy of Stephanie Newman.