UC Davis receives $100,000 grant to advance pet cancer research and treatment

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The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has received a $100,000 grant from Petco Love—a nonprofit organization focused on animal welfare—in support of the school’s Oncology Service at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in California-Davis, California. The grant will help fund treatment for patients with cancer, raise awareness about early cancer detection in pets, and help advance cancer research for domestic companion animals.¹

The Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials at UC Davis offers clinical trials in oncology, neurology/neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and cardiology in efforts to advance medical care for animal patients.² The center conducts more than 50 research studies at any given moment, including numerous clinical trials focused on cancer. These studies aim to develop new, safe, and effective treatment options for companion animals.¹

“Pets are love. They are family. Unfortunately, access to veterinary care is often a financial decision,” Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love, said in a news report.¹ “We are proud to support pet cancer research that improves treatment options and help families get the needed care for their pets to give them longer, healthier lives together.”

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One of the animal patients being supported by Petco Love’s funding is Diamond, a 12-year-old Pitbull terrier undergoing continuous cancer treatments at UC Davis. Diamond was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of blood vessels that most commonly affects large-breed dogs’ spleens or hearts.^1,3 In Diamond’s case, the cancer involved the formation of a mast cell tumor in her right cheek with metastatic disease to her mandibular lymph nodes. She has received 7 rounds of palliative radiation treatments and, according to a news report, the therapy has slowed the tumor’s growth and discomfort.¹

Prognosis for hemangiosarcoma is poor, but surgery and chemotherapy can slow the cancer’s progression.³ According to UC Davis, palliative radiation can support a good quality of life for 3 to 6 months. More than a year later, Diamond continues to persevere in her battle with cancer.¹

“Diamond did really well after her treatments,” said owner Terri Raiford in the report.¹ “It was a blessing to be awarded the grant to help me pay for her care, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford.”

Petco Love’s funding involved an initial grant of $350,000 in 2016, a second grant of $225,000 in 2018, and a third grant of $75,000 in 2020. With the most recent $100,000 grant, Petco Love has donated a total of $750,000 to UC Davis. According to the school, the project forms part of a larger country-wide program initiated by Petco Love in collaboration with Blue Buffalo to help fund cancer treatment and research projects in the US.

“These funds have been invaluable in helping clients who wish to pursue treatment for their pet’s cancer, but who don’t have the financial means to do so,” Kathrine Skorupski, DVM, professor of clinical medical oncology at UC Davis said in the report.¹ “Cancer treatment consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy can be expensive, and this grant helps reduce that source of stress for our clients. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide the best possible cancer care for clients with limited financial means.”

References

1. Warren R. Continued philanthropic support helps UC Davis provide highest quality cancer care. UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. March 31, 2025. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/continued-philanthropic-support-helps-uc-davis-provide-highest-quality-cancer-care
2. About the VCCT. UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://clinicaltrials.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/about
3. Hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/hemangiosarcoma-dogs#:~:text=Hemangiosarcoma%20(HSA)%20is%20a%20highly,a%20sudden%20episode%20of%20collapse.