GSPCA TO PARTICIPATE IN TICK BORNE DISEASE RESEARCH – CHALLENGES MEMBER CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALS TO MATCH FUNDING

The GSPCA Board of Directors and the Health and Welfare Committee, in cooperation with the Canine Health Foundation (CHF), announce participation in a large scale research program to better understand and combat tick borne diseases.  In order to involve all of the GSP community, part of this effort is to engage and challenge the GSPCA Member Clubs throughout the country to contribute as well.

Between September 7 and October 31, the GSPCA will pledge $7,500 which it hopes will be matched by contributions of $100 to $150 from each of the 60 Member Clubs. When a combined total of $15,000 is reached, the American Kennel Club (AKC) will match that dollar for dollar for a possible amount of $30,000 contributed to this important research.

Individuals concerned with finding a solution to prevent and treat tick borne illnesses are also urged to contribute toward this match through a convenient link on the GSPCA web site or by mailing a check to the CHF at:

AKC Canine Health Foundation  GSP Donor Advised Fund P.O. Box 900061 Raleigh, NC 27675

All  on-line contributions will receive an acknowledgement which indicates this is a tax deductible contribution. All contributions will go into a designated GSPCA fund at CHF so that progress toward the donation goal  can be tracked.

This is a tremendous opportunity to have maximum impact by leveraging many small contributions into a very large amount, and presents a very significant return on investment for the Member Clubs. GSPCA members who are also members of regional Member Clubs are urged to contact their clubs to learn more about their club’s plans to contribute.

Tick-borne illnesses affect people and their dogs throughout the country, often creating symptoms long after the initial tick bite, and sometimes affecting the body’s organs and immune systems.  Although Lyme disease gets much of the attention, people and their dogs can also be affected by ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and hepatozoonosis . To make matters more complicated, these viral strains are mutating – for example there are now 12 different strains of Lyme disease alone.

The CHF has declared research into tick borne diseases as its major funding thrust for 2016. They have already announced five grants to researchers (See the list HERE) and have asked breed clubs to continue the momentum of fund raising to support more grants through the end of the year.

The six weeks of fundraising will be accompanied by educational articles on the GSPCA Facebook page and a special section on the GSPCA website. These educational materials are offered to all Member Clubs to use with their own club sites and newsletters.

Ticks are especially active in the early spring and fall, so it is appropriate for the GSPCA to launch this new program at a time when its members are thinking about going into the fields with their dogs.

We urge you to join the GSPCA in support of this worthy cause!

For any questions, please contact the Health and Welfare Committee at: [email protected]