Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Launches Game Changing Study on the Treatment of Canine Heartworm Disease

Funded by a generous grant from PetSmart Charities®, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is partnering with researchers from the University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program and the Toronto Humane Society to make canine heartworm treatment more accessible to shelter animals.

Florence, South Carolina (February 13th, 2024) – Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (“Lucky Dog”) is launching a game changing study on the treatment of canine heartworm disease. Working with research veterinarians from the University of Florida's Shelter Medicine Program and the Toronto Humane Society, Lucky Dog will be treating approximately 170 dogs for heartworm disease and following their recovery for one year after treatment. The goal of the study is to demonstrate that animals in shelters can be treated for heartworm disease safely and effectively in the shelter settings without extended lengths of stay.

Heartworm disease, if untreated, is fatal in dogs. Heartworm is spread by mosquitos and is very prevalent in the South. Preventing heartworm disease is not difficult when dogs is given monthly preventatives. Because many pet owners cannot afford — or do not know the benefits of — heartworm prevention, more than 1.1 million dogs are infected in the U.S. according to the American Heartworm Society. And with less than 1/3 of animal welfare organizations reportedly testing for heartworm infection according to Bio Med Central, the situation for these dogs is dire.

"We are incredibly excited to be launching this important study," said Mirah Horowitz, Founder and CEO of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. “We are working with some of the smartest minds in the field on this study, and we are hopeful that we can create a replicable protocol for treating heartworm disease in shelter animals. Heartworm need not be a death sentence."

“PetSmart Charities is very excited about the opportunity to gain insight into how local partners such as Lucky Dog can better manage this devastating disease. The learnings may open opportunities for future, lower cost, more accessible treatments of all community pets as well,” said Robyn Jaynes, DVM, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities.

Members of the community can email [email protected] to sign up to volunteer or foster with the organization, or they can donate directly at luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate. Lucky Dog is committed to saving animals and improving the lives of dogs and cats across the United States for many years to come.

About PetSmart Charities: 

PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities has helped more than 10 million pets connect with loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and disaster relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.PetSmartCharities.org