EndFIP® RESEARCH

Donate to FIP Research


Help us end FIP. Donate today.
No matter how large or small your gift may be, your contribution to the Luca fund can help achieve a solution.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
-Mother Theresa

What is the Luca Fund for FIP Research?

luca fund for fip research

In October 2018, the American Alumni of Glasgow University announced the creation of the Luca Fund for FIP Research. Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a complex and fatal viral disease seen worldwide affecting mostly kittens and young cats.

The fund was named after Luca, a fourteen-month-old Russian Blue cat lost to dry FIP on 5 October 2013. Luca is loved by Maria S. Bonino who provided a generous contribution to establish the Luca Fund offering an alternative tax advantage option to individuals who believe that FIP research can be successful without the use of laboratory cats, and unconditionally oppose to any research that leads to the loss of life through intentional infection and unnecessary and painful experimentation.

Ms. Bonino chose Glasgow University Veterinary School for its remarkable contributions and unparalleled worldwide reputation in the field of feline viral diseases.

Why is it important to donate?

Since first discovered in the 1960s, Feline Infectious Peritonitis is one of the most studied feline diseases, and yet, it remains one of the most poorly understood viral diseases of the cat. Much progress has been made since those early days and encouraging new treatments had surfaced in recent years, but there’s much work to be done in the fields of FCoV and FIP.

Back in 2013 when my cat was fighting FIP, I witnessed the complete lack of awareness and understanding of this disease, and its underlying cause, the vile feline coronavirus (FCoV). Another critical issue which became clear was the lack of proper diagnostic tools. Becoming a FIP PARENT and being part of a growing, strong and caring community also help me realized that it is up to us to create much-needed change not simply by donating to well-known institutions but by investing in ideas and people in whom we believed based in our own principles and values. 

It is a well-known fact that there is almost no funding to support studies for companion animal health, especially when it comes to our beloved cats. These are exciting and dynamic times in the FIP research field, and support from donors is more vital than ever.

As the founder of the Luca Fund for FIP Research, and on behalf of everyone involved with it, I’d like to sincerely express our deepest appreciation for your continued support. Also, I take this opportunity to share a few words by Professor Willie Weir – Academic Head of Infectious Disease at the University of Glasgow University School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicines.

If you believe that FIP research can be successful without the use of laboratory cats, and unconditionally oppose any research that leads to the loss of life through intentional infection and unnecessary and painful experimentation: Please donate to the Luca Fund for FIP Research.

Things we do in life often have measurable results, but the extent of their impact is often difficult to quantify. I am forever grateful to the amazing group of people both in the USA and in Glasgow, who not only understood my concerns, embraced my idea and helped make my dream a reality but also now, work diligently as a team towards the continued development of Luca’s legacy. The latter has had an impact on me far beyond the obvious and tangible.

The Luca Fund for FIP Research pledges to never sponsor any study, research or clinical trial that involves, directly or indirectly, the experimental infection of healthy cats and the use of laboratory cats. We provide the absolute guarantee that your donation will not end up furthering the suffering and death of innocent and helpless animals.

The miracle of scientific discovery happens when the time, talent, focus, and necessary resources come together with the help and demonstrated support of our most dedicated donors. Your dedication continues to play an integral part in our ability to fund ethical and humane FIP research. Your generosity is critical to this process, and we are appreciative of your encouragement and belief in our work.

Gratefully yours,

Maria

How will your donation be applied?

Your donation to the Luca Fund will be applied to studies conducted at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. The Luca Fund for FIP research is a special fund of the American Alumni of the University of Glasgow established in 2018 to accept tax-deductible donations for Feline Infectious Peritonitis research. AAGU has been recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c) (3) charitable organization. All donations to AAGU are deductible as charitable contributions to the full extent permitted by law.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
—Winston Churchill

What are the ways to donate?

Please support FIP research by donating through the American Alumni of Glasgow University via PayPal, credit card or check by mail. To ensure support of FIP research: please indicate the Luca Fund for your donation.

This link allows both domestic and international donations via credit card or PayPal.

pay by check

Checks are greatly appreciated and are sent to AAGU, the fund that administers all gifts to the Luca Fund*.

*If you wish to donate by check please make it payable to “American Alumni of Glasgow University” and send along with a note of your desire to support the Luca Fund, your name and address. Checks should be mailed to:

Melvyn Pond, President AAGU
183 Wolf Harbor Road
Milford, CT 06461-1961

Special Note: If you are an U.S Taxpayer, your contribution is deductible for income, gift, and estate tax purposes to the extent permitted by law. If you wish to include the AAGU in your Estate Plan, gift appreciated securities or establish Planned Giving strategies benefiting the AAGU, please visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/connect/supportus/aagu/otherwaystodonate/

"When courage, genius, and generosity hold hands, all things are possible."
—Author Unknown

EndFIP® aims to diffuse knowledge to prevent cats worldwide from ever getting infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV) and will support and steward funding towards research focused on improving the methods for diagnosing FIP, refining current diagnostic techniques and treatments and to raise awareness of research advances among those in the veterinary field. If you have any questions or donated in memory of an FIP Angel and would like your beloved cat to be featured in our Memorial page, please contact us at: fundraising@endfip.com

This page is dedicated to ALL cats lost to experimental FIP, the countless and nameless faces of FIP who spent their short lives in cages as laboratory cats deliberately infected (some of them multiple times) in the name of science to be simply discarded after succumbing to FIP.

DISCLAIMER: The use of this website is at your own risk. This website is for information purposes ONLY, and it is NOT meant to replace a consultation with a fully qualified veterinary surgeon (veterinarian). It is NOT intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. The creators share their personal experiences, recommendations of treatments, foods, medications, supplements, and products for informative and educational purposes exclusively. The information in this site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Creators and contributors exclude all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising out of use of this site or reliance upon its contents. Furthermore, creators and contributors strongly advise all users to always seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian and to obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular situation. NO responsibility can be accepted.