If you have a cat, you may have heard of the Winn Feline Foundation and the Cornell Feline Health Center. Did you ever wonder what these organizations do and why they are so important for our feline friends?
Started in 1968, the Winn Feline Foundation is a fund raising organization aimed at improving the health and well being of cats through research and education. The Winn Feline Foundation is dedicated to supporting and funding feline-only research. Over the years, their assistance has led to some amazing developments for cats. Winn-funded research has been instrumental in learning about feline infectious diseases like FIV, FeLV and FIP. Winn-funded projects have also tackled common and deadly feline ailments like kidney disease and heart disease, as well as helped unravel the complicated nutritional requirements of cats. Winn has supported feline health issues for more than 40 years. Very quietly, their contribution has been undeniably enormous.
Winn Feline Foundation’s hope is that by funding feline-specific research, many of these diseases will become increasingly preventable or at least treatable. Click here for more information about the Winn Feline Foundation and their work as well as to learn about cat health issues.
The Cornell Feline Health Center was founded in 1974 as a veterinary medical specialty center dedicated to, “Improving the health and well-being of cats everywhere,” by sponsoring research to study the treatment and prevention of feline diseases, educating veterinarians and cat owners about feline health and increasing awareness of cat issues. Over the years, The Cornell Feline Health Center has:
- Established vaccine protocols for feline panleukopenia and viral respiratory diseases
- Developed a test that helps diagnose feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
- Studied diagnostic tests for the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
- Identified panleukopenia as a health threat to the endangered Florida panther
- Conducted many studies on FIP
In addition to supporting feline research, the Cornell Feline Health Center has created an educational website for cat owners. The website contains a FAQ section, brochures, articles from the Cat Watch newsletter and educational videos. Visit their website to find out about their latest clinical studies or to take advantage of these important resources.
Although cats have achieved the distinction of becoming America’s most popular pet, they face many healthcare challenges, such as access to preventive care and funding for feline-specific research. Historically, funding for feline research has been a fraction of the amount spent on canine research. In addition, most pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials for new treatments and medications are targeted to dogs and not cats. Organizations such as the Winn Feline Foundation and the Cornell Feline Health Center fulfill a critical role in supporting research to improve the health and well-being of cats.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
