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Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. Since our founding in 1948, we have invested more than $155 million toward 2,700+ studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and preventions to benefit animals worldwide.
 
Dogs 20,000+ SPECIES BENEFIT
FROM OUR RESEARCH


Diseases often aren’t species specific. When we help one animal, the new knowledge gained can have a ripple effect to help related species or entire ecosystems.

At Morris Animal Foundation, we work every day to improve and protect the health of animals through scientific innovation, education and inspiration. We are committed to fighting animal diseases worldwide in species ranging from cats and dogs to horses and alpacas; amphibians and wildcats to anteaters and elephants.
 
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Morris Animal Foundation improves and protects the health of animals through scientific innovation, education and inspiration. Founded by a veterinarian in 1948, we continue to be a science-driven organization, funding critical health studies for the benefit of all animals.
 
OUR HISTORY
When Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr., an ambitious and passionate newly graduated veterinarian, walked into his first private practice job in 1926, little did he realize he was embarking on a journey that would lead to improved lives for animals, large and small, around the world.

Interested in improving veterinary medicine, Dr. Morris conducted research to improve animal health within the parameters of his private practice for nearly a decade. His passion led to the construction of the Raritan Hospital for Animals in New Jersey in 1928 (one of the first exclusively small animal clinics in the United States), and the formation of the American Animal Hospital Association in 1933, a groundbreaking association committed to improving companion animal veterinary practice.

Throughout this time, the Great Depression was changing everyone’s lives. But it was Dr. Morris who ultimately realized that it also was indirectly affecting the lives of pets. Living conditions caused by the Great Depression meant that table scraps normally fed to dogs were being replaced by inexpensive canned and dry dog foods that contained lowgrade, meat by-products. Large quantities of poor-quality protein was causing widespread canine kidney failure.
Dr. Morris responded by creating his own dog food mix to treat kidney disease in his patients, and the formula was a great success. However, it was the fateful meeting between Dr. Morris and Morris Frank that unleashed the true potential of this landmark diet. The year was 1939.

Morris Frank was the first ambassador of The Seeing Eye, one of the first organizations dedicated to providing guide dogs to the blind. Morris Frank’s guide dog, Buddy II, was ill. Dr. Morris gave Frank bags of the homemade diet he created for other dogs suffering from kidney problems. Shortly thereafter, Buddy was back to his usual self.

Eventually, Dr. Morris partnered with Burton Hill and Hill Packing Company of Topeka, Kansas, to produce this formula diet, renamed k/d, on a larger scale, setting the stage for the development, testing and production of many more revolutionary prescription diets.

This venture laid the groundwork for Morris Animal Foundation. Originally called the Buddy Foundation, the Foundation was established in 1948, and was built from royalties of one-half cent per can of food; money dedicated to science and research as a means to advance animal health.