Petco Love invests $100,000 in cancer care at Cornell University

Petco Love is providing $100,000 towards the cost of cancer treatments for dogs and cats over 2 years, as part of a long-standing partnership with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York.1 This investment is in addition to the $100,000 in grant funding that Petco Love provided to the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine earlier this year, in support of cancer care and research initiatives.2

“Cancer in a pet can have a profound effect on a family,” Cheryl Balkman, DVM, DACVIM, oncology section chief at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, said in a news release.1 “This investment from Petco Love enables our clients to seek treatment for their pets and lessens their financial stress in an already trying situation.”

A national nonprofit, Petco Love aims to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. It also helps find loving homes for pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4000 organizations across North America. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested nearly $421 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts and has had more than 7 million pets adopted.1

Petco Love, in partnership with Blue Buffalo, has invested $750,000 in Cornell for pet cancer treatments since first partnering with the university in 2016. These funds have been used to help provide chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to at least 276 families. The new $100,000 investment will support the Petco Love & Blue Buffalo Pet Cancer Treatment Support Fund, which is available to Cornell University Hospital for Animals clients, who otherwise could not afford the cost of treating their pets with cancer.1

“Cancer doesn’t just affect people—it takes the lives of too many beloved pets,” Susanne Kogut, JD, president of Petco Love, said in a news release.1 “Together with Blue Buffalo, we’re empowering pet parents with education, resources, and hope to help pets fight and survive this disease.”

Since the launch of the Pet Cancer Awareness (PCA) initiative in 2010, Petco Love and Blue Buffalo have together invested $21 million in pet cancer research and treatment, funding cutting-edge studies and helping thousands of pets receive the care they need. Petco Love supports 15 partner organizations and oncology universities by investing in pet cancer research and subsidizing treatment costs for pet owners in need.1

Petco Love has granted UC-Davis a total of $750,000 in funds since 2016. The recent $100,000 grant received by UC-Davis is helping to fund patient treatment for cancer, early cancer detection in pets, and advancing research for cancer in domestic companion animals.2

“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 a university report.3 “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.”

Additionally, the Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials at UC Davis conducts more than 50 research studies at any given moment, including numerous clinical trials focused on cancer, to advance animal health care. These studies aim to develop new, safe, and effective treatment options for companion animals.2

References

1. National nonprofit Petco Love invests in Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine to save and improve the lives of pets through veterinary cancer treatments. News release. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. July 8, 2025.
2. Bautista-Alejandre A. UC Davis receives $100,000 grant to advance pet cancer research and treatment. dvm360. April 1, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-receives-100-000-grant-to-advance-pet-cancer-research-and-treatment
3. 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