Purina donates $4.5M to top vet schools for pet health innovation

In recognition of International Day of Veterinary Medicine, Purina has announced a $4.5 million donation to three leading U.S. veterinary schools to advance research and education in pet health. Over the next five years, the funds will support studies in key areas such as canine healthy aging and mobility, as well as gastrointestinal health in dogs and cats.

“Veterinarians play such a pivotal role in caring for our pets,” said Purina chief veterinary officer Dr. Kurt R. Venator. “These three new programs build on Purina’s decades-long history of supporting veterinary schools and students and promise to offer exciting scientific and nutritional advances to help our pets live long, healthy lives.”

The funding will benefit the following programs:

• Cornell University’s School of Veterinary Medicine: A $1.5 million donation will establish the Purina Cornell Canine Healthy Aging and Mobility Program (CHAMP). The program will focus on advancing research in canine nutrition, healthy aging, rehabilitation, and mobility.
• University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine: Another $1.5 million will create the Purina Distinguished Program in Gastrointestinal Health and Wellness. This initiative will address common gastrointestinal health issues in pets, advancing solutions for both dogs and cats over the next five years.
• Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: A $1.5 million donation will fund the Purina Young Investigators Award Program in the Center for Companion Animal Studies. This endowment will provide up to 12 annual grants in perpetuity to veterinary students and their faculty mentors, supporting research and the dissemination of scientific advancements.

“These efforts aim to uncover new insights that will impact future innovations and change the lives of pets and the people who love them – and the veterinarians who care for them,” said Dr. Venator.

The donations underscore Purina’s commitment to advancing veterinary education and pet health research, fostering collaboration between academic institutions, students and industry professionals.

According to Petfood Industry’s Top Pet Food companies, Nestlé Purina Petcare is a top player in the global pet care industry with pet food factories in 19 countries. Nestlé Purina claims three headquarters globally: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., for its North American and Latin American operations; Lausanne, Switzerland, in Europe; and Sydney, Australia, covering Asia, Oceania and Africa. Its parent company, Nestlé’s world headquarters, is in Vevey, Switzerland.

Adapted from a press release.