MEDIA ALERT: DENVER/March 6, 2025 — Morris Animal Foundation announced funding for seven new feline health-focused grants aimed at improving health and well-being in cats.
“Funding for cat health concerns lags behind support for dog health despite the popularity and number of cats sharing our homes,” said Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Director of Science Communication at Morris Animal Foundation. “Now more than ever we need science that addresses the unique health concerns affecting cats.”
This year’s grant recipients and their topics are:
- Dr. Karen Fox, Colorado State University, will investigate the prevalence of a viral infection, “staggering disease,” in the United States.
- Dr. Heidge Fukumasu, University of São Paulo, Brazil, will work on a new immunotherapy to treat feline lymphoma.
- Dr. Jennifer Granick, University of Minnesota, will be using big data to assess the treatment trends used by veterinarians to address upper respiratory infections.
- Dr. Kazuto Kimura, University of California, Davis, is studying whether stem cells could be used to create red blood cells for transfusions.
- Dr. Bianca Lourenço, University of Georgia, will explore the use of a new technique to measure proteins in cats with chronic kidney disease.
- Dr. William Murphy, Texas A&M, will continue working on expanding and improving the genetic “map” of the domestic cat.
- Dr. Kate Worthing, The University of Sydney, Australia, will explore new therapeutic options to treat urinary tract infections.
The projects are slated to begin in late spring or early summer of this year.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding over $167 million in more than 3,100 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
