The Canine Cancer Campaign aims to cure cancer in dogs within the next two decades.

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has launched a $30m fundraising initiative called the Canine Cancer Campaign, which aims to cure cancer in dogs within the next two decades. The US-based animal research fundraising organization has already received a $1.1m donation from Pfizer Animal Health for the cause, and hopes that, in addition to other corporate sponsorships, $22m will be raised from donations of at least $50 made by 1% of the 44 million dog-owning households in the US over the next five years.

MAF plans to use the funds to award grants to the world's leading colleges of veterinary medicine, organizations, and scientists. The grants will be used to develop innovative therapies to alleviate suffering from cancer in dogs, conduct prevention studies related to genetics and the canine genome, fund a tumor tissue bank, and establish an endowment to guarantee continued research efforts.

MAF says that one in four dogs will die of cancer, and that it is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two. It also says that 60% of golden retrievers die of cancer, and different breeds are more susceptible to different types of cancer.

"Each of our own pet dogs is at risk to suffer the devastating effects of cancer," said MAF president and chief executive Dr Patricia N Olson. "Sadly, many of the most popular dog breeds are especially susceptible to developing cancer."

Efforts to learn more about canine cancer are also expected to shed light about the disease in other species.

"Comparative and translational research acknowledges that cancer is cancer regardless of species, and that discoveries in either dogs or humans will have rapid acceptance in the other species," said Dr Stephen Withrow, director of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.

Established in 1948, MAF is based in Denver, Colorado, and has raised close to $50m for nearly 1,300 animal health studies. More information about MAF and the Canine Cancer Campaign can be found at www.morrisanimalfoundation.com.