The Morris Animal Foundation announced $13 million in new grants over the next three years for animal health research.
Morris said the grants will fund over 200 animal health studies next year at more than 60 veterinary colleges, zoological institutions and scientific research centers. Funds will go to research projects in the areas of canine, feline, equine and wildlife health, as well as to scholarship grants for aspiring veterinary researchers.
"Helping animals enjoy longer, healthier lives requires ongoing scientific animal health research to give veterinarians the tools they need to better diagnose and treat animals," the foundation said.
Many of the Morris grants will go to health studies for dogs, cats, and horses. Morris set aside more that 50 grants for canine health studies, 24 for feline health studies, and 17 for equine studies. The studies will cover a range of issue areas from diseases such as canine cancer to feline and equine genetics.
Funds will also go to 42 wildlife health projects designed to improve reproduction and nutrition, as well as to decrease infectious diseases in a number of wild animals, including anteaters, bears, birds, amphibians, elephants, primates, marine life, wolves and wild cats.
A total of $3.1 million will go to the Morris Foundation’s Veterinary Student Scholarship program, which gives students interested in animal health and welfare the opportunity to work with mentors on research projects and encourages them to consider a career in veterinary research.
"Individuals and groups have a unique opportunity to help animals through sponsorships of these studies," the foundation said.
The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit group dedicated to animal health research. It was founded in 1948 by veterinary pioneer Mark. L. Morris, Sr., and is based in Denver, Colorado.