EveryCat Health Foundation Funding of Feline Health Science Lays Groundwork for Vital Translational Healthcare Breakthroughs in COVID, Cancer Treatment

EveryCat Health Foundation's research support sets the stage for today's feline to human translational healthcare discoveries
WYCKOFF, N.J - For decades, EveryCat Health Foundation [https://everycat.org/], a non-profit dedicated to advancing feline health by supporting a variety of research and education initiatives, has underwritten scientific research by blue-ribbon scientists around the globe for critical feline diseases. This research is laying the foundation for vital translational discoveries that may lead to treatments for multiple human illnesses, like COVID and breast cancer.

Breakthrough: Funding Research for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Crisis

In 2023, EveryCat Health Foundation partnered with Morris Animal Foundation [https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/] to address an outbreak of mutated feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in Cyprus. The mutation was both fatal and communicable, with thousands of cats dying during the outbreak.

To end the crisis, EveryCat and Morris provided financial support for the time-critical research, with EveryCat contributing$496,832. Thanks to this partnered support, a cure was discovered that enabled cats to recover and live full, healthy lives. The treatment also laid the foundation for future, translational scientific discovery in the treatment of COVID symptoms in humans.

"Before the outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis in Cyprus, science didn't know if it was possible to cure cat viruses, but the research underwritten by EveryCat Health Foundation demonstrated that this was possible," said Dr. Dean Vicksman, the organization's Board Chair. "Now, we are seeing another team of scientists build on this discovery and show us how research for one species can be applicable to other species. The fact that the cure for FIP could translate into treatment for COVID is a model of why translational medicine is so important."

Earlier Research Support Delivers Basis COVID-19 Pandemic Treatment for Humans

Prior to the FIP research, EveryCat funded the work of Dr. Niels Pedersen at the University of California, Davis [https://everycat.org/how-luna-became-the-first-cat-cured-of-feline-infectious-peritonitis-in-2017/], who was studying an unknown feline virus that was later identified as FIP. This work led to the creation of a cure, GS-441524, which became the basis for the human medicine Remdesivir-an instrumental part of treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feline Cancer Research Reveals Potential Breast Cancer Treatment

Similarly, EveryCat financially supported feline research exploring multiple types of cancer [https://www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/household-cat-could-hold-the-key-to-understanding-breast-cancer/]. After looking at the genetic changes in tumors from 500 cats in five countries, scientists found certain similarities in humans that suggest this research may become a building block in the treatment of breast cancer.

"This illustrates the power of feline research," said EveryCat's President and CEO, Jackie Ott Jaakola. "You don't have to love cats to benefit from these studies. Science is science and medicine is medicine, so sometimes feline research leads to human treatments, and human research can be the foundation for feline medicine."

EveryCat Health Foundation's History of Contributions to Translational Medicine

Translational medicine leverages basic scientific discoveries made in one species to find solutions for another. As a result, the funding that EveryCat has provided to improve feline health has laid the foundation for possible human care-and these building blocks go as far back as the 1990s.

This research could not be done without the community support EveryCat Health Foundation regularly receives. The organization emphasizes that funding for groundbreaking studies like these is not possible without donations from both individuals and businesses.

"We are so proud that our funding is not only helping cats, but could also unlock potential cures for critical human illnesses," said Ott Jaakola. "We could not do this without the generosity of our donors, who are making a difference in feline health and well-being one dollar at a time."

About EveryCat Health Foundation

EveryCat Health Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1968, advances feline health by supporting groundbreaking research and education. Its work worldwide has funded $12 million in cat health research at more than 30 partner institutions. Efforts are made possible through the generosity of dedicated donors and collaborators. Research supported by the EveryCat Health Foundation helps veterinarians by advancing groundbreaking work that improves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common feline health problems. Grants are awarded at least twice yearly with the help of the foundation's expert review panel.

Contact: Jackie Ott Jaakola, EveryCat Health Foundation, 1 2012750624, jjaakola@everycat.org

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