We’ve launched Darwin’s Cats, our new feline community science project!

ABOUT DARWIN’S DOGS

Darwin’s Dogs is a community science initiative engaging dogs and their people in scientific discovery. Participants answer survey questions about their pet, and have the option to be part of the project’s genetic research by sequencing their dog’s DNA. Since its beginning in 2016, Darwin’s Dogs more than 40,000 dogs have joined the initiative, creating a powerful database of information that is helping to drive canine and human health research.

Every dog–mutt or purebred–is welcome in the study, and pet parents are encouraged to enroll all of the dogs in their households.

Join Darwin’s Dogs

ABOUT DARWIN’S CATS

We’ve expanded our research to include cats! Cats have been our companions for centuries, but these popular pets are surprisingly understudied in scientific research. We are just beginning to unravel the complexities that contribute to cat’s behavior, health and genetics.

Like Darwin’s Dogs, when you join Darwin’s Cats you’ll answer surveys about your cat’s behavior and health, and will also have the opportunity to join our feline genetics research. Through Darwin’s Cats, your cat’s information, along with thousands of others, will create a powerful database that can advance scientific understanding of our favorite felines.

ABOUT WORKING DOG PROJECT

Working dogs fill countless, critical roles, from ensuring our national security to helping people with disabilities live more independently. While demand for working dogs and service dogs is steadily increasing, the supply of these talented dogs hasn’t kept pace, with 50-80% of dogs failing to complete training programs.

Our goal is to find genetic markers for the behavioral traits that make successful military and working dogs. By using new genetic technology, and working closely with dog breeders and trainers, we want to learn how to select the right dog for the right job.

ABOUT DOG CANCER PROJECT

By studying cancer in dogs, we’re working to help both people and dogs survive cancer.

Dogs get many different types of cancer, and many of these cancers look and behave like human cancers. Canine cancers are also treated with many of the same drugs and other treatments that humans receive. Additionally, some cancers that are very rare in people are more common and easier to study in dogs.