What Inspired the Walks?

The founders of Pink Paws for Life were inspired to take action by the loss of a friend’s beloved companion and the staggering numbers of animals that succumb to cancer each year – not only in the United States, but globally.

Cancer is the number one natural cause of death in geriatric cats and dogs, and it accounts for nearly 50 percent of deaths each year. Of pets diagnosed with cancer living in the United States today, less than 25% will survive. This equates to more than 3,000 pet deaths per day.

In 2008, The National Institutes of Health estimated the overall costs for human cancer research at $219.2 billion.  The overall estimated cost for cancer research in animals is indeterminate, as there is limited research, funding and awareness for the need for such research.

The founders of Pink Paws for Life want to bring widespread awareness of pet cancers, as well as provide funding to pet cancer research programs that are leading the way in this extremely under funded area. The walks are major means of doing both.