Going to the dogs?

When it comes to philanthropic giving, it’s usually the million-pound gifts and the big-name donors that get the publicity.

But what about when a small and dedicated community unites behind a cause that captures the public imagination?

For one thing, it evokes an immensely heartening and multi-faceted response that demonstrates the power of small-scale, individual giving and adds up to a huge collective impact.

And it highlights both the unswerving commitment of researchers and the significance of the work they’re doing.

That’s what happened when the Canine Genetics Centre recently lost its funding from the Kennel Club. The dedicated CGC team were not about to give up everything they had worked for and believed in so deeply. Instead, they are using this reversal of fortune to build an international community around this vital issue and showing how many ways there are to give — time, experience, effort, money — and how each gift amplifies both the message and the impact.

Dog breed health and conservation: Testing alongside breeding for prevention over cure.

The Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) aims to understand the genetic basis of inherited diseases in dogs and to develop DNA tests that, together with breeding advice, are improving the health and welfare of generations of dogs by exploring some of the most common and debilitating inherited conditions.

It’s vital work that focuses on diseases that are painful, blinding, require surgical or medical intervention or reduce the quality or length of life of affected dogs.

Because of the way dogs are bred, disease mutations often become more prevalent in purebred dog populations than in crossbreeds and can lead to significant welfare issues. The Centre, under its original name The Kennel Club Genetics Centre, was created to help tackle this.

One of the first mutations to be discovered and developed into a DNA test was for a painful and blinding condition called primary lens luxation (PLL), a disease that affects around 20 different breeds. Since then, using the group’s unparalleled level of skill and expertise within canine genetics, 32 disease mutations have been identified, most of which are available globally, to over 50 breeds, as DNA tests to identify carrier and affected dogs.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT) had funded the Centre — led by Dr Cathryn Mellersh, a senior research associate at the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine — since its initial launch at the Animal Health Trust in 2009. Following the announcement in July 2020 of the closure of the Animal Health Trust, the KCCT stepped in to further help with funding and the Centre re-opened in its new home at the University of Cambridge, where it was folded into the Veterinary Medicine Department. CGC’s vital research into dog genetics and inherited canine conditions continued apace, with Cathryn still at the helm.

"The health and wellbeing of many dogs today has been compromised because of how they have been bred by humans. I believe that we owe it to dogs to do right by their species.”
— Dr Cathryn Mellersh

Research into the impact of some of these tests revealed that over a ten-year period, thanks to the uptake of these tests by responsible breeders, the frequency of disease-causing genetic variants in some breeds reduced by a staggering 90%. This translates into many more puppies’ being born free from debilitating or blinding inherited conditions.

Close collaboration with breed clubs and breeders is essential to the success of the Centre, as is the invaluable collection of over 40,000 DNA samples that has been developed over the last 20 years.

A dog being swabbed for DNA testing

Research Assistant, Louise Pettitt at the Canine Genetics Centre

Dr Cathryn Mellersh with Obi and Libby

The Canine Genetics Centre team

Back from the Brink: Dog lovers step up

Dogs Today, March 2024

Now, this vital work is under direct threat.

Faced with its own funding crisis, late in 2023 the Kennel Club had to make drastic budget cuts and unexpectedly withdrew its support from the Centre, which then suddenly faced closure — leading Cathryn and her staff into an emergency effort to raise funds by applying for ‘every grant available’ (Dogs Today article, March 2024) — but there is still set to be a financial shortfall.

Since early February 2024 the CGC team have taken on the challenge of a significant and critical funding gap and are working hard — in parallel with their research ‘day jobs’ — to find alternative funding sources to safeguard their future. Fundraising, marketing and strategy are not the natural habitat of academics and researchers and learning it ‘on the fly’ has been less than ideal, but their passion has fired generosity from all quarters.

"It is every dog lover's turn to step up and support this important work as a tribute to the incredible advances they have made in the field of canine genetics."
— Kevin Boyer, US breeder of Sequoia Staffords

From grass-roots crowdfunding, to creating a Just Giving page with the help of the University, to the overwhelming and enthusiastic support from a small team of dedicated and tireless advisory volunteers and a lengthy list of breed clubs, societies and individuals — the cause and the leadership have been truly inspirational.

Dogs’ Best Friend

‘Inspirational’ also aptly describes Cathryn’s research and personal commitment to the initiative.

She has dedicated her life to canine genetics and her passion is palpable. During the 1990s she identified some of the earliest genetic markers (a DNA sequence with a known physical location on a chromosome) in dogs and was part of the team who produced the first map of the canine genome.

It’s no surprise, then, that in July 2024 Cathryn was deservedly awarded the International Canine Health ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. This award goes to a veterinarian or scientist whose professional dedication has made a significant impact on the global landscape of canine health and welfare. Best of all, perhaps, and never timelier — the award brought with it a $50,000 prize, which Cathryn immediately donated to the CGC.

Dr Cathryn Mellersh with her ICHA Lifetime Achievement award

Dr Cathryn Mellersh with her ICHA Lifetime Achievement award

As Cathryn explains:

“Dogs are special. They were the first species to be domesticated and for the past 30,000 years they have evolved alongside humans. They read our body language, show empathy when we’re upset, and often prefer the company of a person over their own species — all testament to how intertwined we are with the domestic dog.

But the health and wellbeing of many dogs today has been compromised because of how they have been bred by humans. I believe that we owe it to dogs to do right by their species.”

Kevin Boyer, US breeder of Sequoia Staffords

One US breeder, Kevin Boyer of Sequoia Staffords, was so roused by the Centre’s plight that he got in touch from California with a significant gift of his own. He said:

“I would love to provide a heart-warming personal anecdote on how the work of the Canine Genetic Centre saved the life of my beloved pet — but because of the Centre’s groundbreaking work, my dogs never got sick in the first place! The Canine Genetics Centre in its previous iterations did the crucial work to create a DNA test for the devastating disease L-2HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) that affects my beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. Because we now have a cheap and reliable test to guide mating decisions, I will never have to watch a puppy I bred slowly deteriorate from this heartbreaking hereditary neurological disease only to be humanely euthanised at a young age.

“So when I heard last year that there were some changes happening at the Centre and that they might need some help, I began to pay more attention. It was not until Centre leader Dr Cathryn Mellersh took the courageous step of hosting a public webinar to outline the Centre's situation that I knew I had to take action. It is unconscionable to me that the worldwide dog community would allow such an important, valuable and impactful resource to wither for lack of funding.

I am deeply grateful to the University of Cambridge for all they are doing to advance the health of our dogs, and especially for bringing in and supporting Dr Mellersh and her team at the CGC.

I feel now it is every dog lover's turn to step up and support this important work as a tribute to the incredible advances they have made in the field of canine genetics, and more importantly, the amazing work they are now doing and will continue to do in the future. This is why I have personally contributed, have encouraged our national breed club to contribute, and will continue to be an advocate for the Centre online and in person.”

Needed: Springer spaniel energy and terrier tenacity

It’s been a huge success — but they can’t rest on their laurels: they’ve only raised half the funds they need to keep going for another year.

And after that? There’s the challenge of the long-term future to consider, tapping sources of consistent giving so the Centre can plan more than a few months ahead.

The team are determined: there’s so much more to do, and they are looking at what their research could accomplish in areas that include painful and blinding inherited eye disease and life-threatening epilepsy.

It’s a moving and inspiring story of giving back to the species who have been our ‘best friend’ and standing by them through thick and thin.

Where could you fit into the CGC story?

Your support is urgently needed to sustain and secure our path towards a brighter future for our beloved canine companions.

You can donate online or Text DOG5 or DOG10 to 70033 to donate £5 or £10*.

Support the CGC

*UK mobile only. Texts cost your donation plus your standard network rate. 100% of your donation will go towards canine genetics research at the University of Cambridge. You must be 16+ and have the billpayer’s permission—full T&Cs at cam.ac.uk/textgiving.

Contact

For more information on ways to get involved, please contact Cathryn.