Purina has announced three scientific teams that will receive funding through its Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies grant program. Each project has been awarded up to $40,000, bringing the total funding amount to $120,000.
Purina evaluated more than 100 applications from across the globe for this year's competition. The selection process prioritized research on how the human-animal bond supports vulnerable populations, how these interactions affect animal welfare, and how to deepen our understanding of the unique relationship between humans and cats.
Project #1 focuses on how pets assist domestic violence survivors. It is led by Dr. Jennifer A. Wagman at the Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. This 18-month study examines how the human-animal bond fosters psychological resilience and recovery for women who have survived domestic abuse. Researchers will also evaluate how such environments impact the well-being of the pets themselves.
The project intends to survey approximately 1,000 domestic violence survivors in California, utilizing a mix of interviews, expert insights, and specific metrics regarding the human-animal bond. The findings will be shared with the non-profit organization RedRover to help develop pet-inclusive support protocols for working with survivors.
Project #2 involves the first large-scale study of separation anxiety in cats. It is led by Dr. Paula Pérez Fraga at the Eötvös Loránd University Institute of Biology in Budapest, Hungary. This project represents the first major observational study into separation-related disorders in domestic cats. The research will utilize a citizen science model, allowing cat owners worldwide to submit videos of their pets' behavior while alone and complete questionnaires.
Scientists intend to analyze risk factors—such as feline personality and owner interaction styles—to develop the first comprehensive ethogram (a catalog of typical behaviors) for feline separation anxiety. These findings will assist veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and pet owners worldwide in identifying and managing these conditions more effectively.
Project #3 explores remote canine-assisted therapy for children with cancer. It is led by Dr. Judit Abdai of the Hungarian Ethology Foundation at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. This project evaluates the Remote Canine-Assisted Therapy (RCAT) model, which allows children with oncological diseases to safely interact with trained dogs in real-time via video link. This is especially vital for immunosuppressed patients for whom in-person contact is contraindicated.
The study will employ a crossover design to measure psychosocial impacts such as motivation, mood, and anxiety levels. This model has the potential for global scaling, offering therapy access to children in rural areas, underserved communities, and countries where canine therapy infrastructure is not yet established. Additionally, this remote format helps protect the welfare of the therapy dogs.
Since its inception in 2016, the Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies program has awarded $1.2 million in total research funding. Past grants have gone toward diverse projects, including the genetics of "hypersociability" in dogs, improved shelter matching, the effect of different types of touch on human and canine well-being, the role of pet attachment for women with a history of childhood abuse, and the efficacy of canine therapy in university environments.
Purina invests over $100 million in research every year, and in the last five years alone, the company has provided more than $150 million to organizations dedicated to preserving and strengthening the bond between people and their pets.
