OVC Pet Trust, Cancer Centre to Benefit from 'Woofstock'
May 28, 2008 - News Release
The University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) has teamed up with friends and supporters of Woofstock to fight canine cancer.
Woofstock, North America's largest outdoor festival for dogs, has named the OVC Pet Trust Fund as the charity of choice for this year’s event, which takes place June 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. Proceeds will support Pet Trust’s fundraising campaign in support of Canada’s first comprehensive animal cancer centre.
Dog owners and their pets living with cancer are invited to help kick off Woofstock at the Doggie High Tea at Toronto’s Le Méridien King Edward June 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Seating is limited; to register, send an e-mail to info@woofstock.ca. Money raised at the Sunday event, as well proceeds from the sale of charity dog collars at Woofstock, will benefit OVC's cancer centre.
“We are deeply thankful for this support from Woofstock," said Paul Woods, co-director of U of G's Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation and a board-certified veterinary oncologist. "Cancer touches everyone, including our furry family members. While in general our pets are living longer, healthier lives, as they get older they are prone to developing cancer — just like people. In fact, dogs in particular develop many of the same types of cancer found in people.”
Of the approximately 3.5 million dogs in Canada, it's estimated that up to one in four will develop some form of cancer. By studying and caring for dogs with cancer, researchers can develop new ways to help fight the disease in animals and people, Woods said.
OVC's animal cancer centre will provide comprehensive cancer care for pets while advancing cancer research and training future cancer specialists. It will involve nearly 40 U of G cancer investigators whose work ranges from the basic biology of cancer to its social and psychological impacts.
Pet Trust is recruiting volunteers to help out at Woofstock as members of a roaming marketing team, selling charity dog collars and distributing Pet Trust brochures.
Pet Trust honours the relationship between pets and their people and veterinary caregivers by raising funds in support of learning, health care and research at OVC. It's dedicated to raising $10 million in support of the animal cancer centre.
For more information about Pet Trust or to volunteer for Woofstock, contact Andrew Moore at 519-824-4120, Ext. 54370 or e-mail armoore@uoguelph.ca or visit t www.pettrust.ca.
For media questions, contact Barry Gunn, OVC communications officer, 519 824-4120, Ext. 54414.
