FIP Fundraiser, Winn Feline Foundation

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is nearly always fatal, and nearly always happens to kittens. It’s also more common than some believe. FIP kills 1 in 100 to 1 in 300 of all cats under 5-years (mostly under 2-years). The incidence can be five to 10 times greater among young cats coming from catteries and shelters.

For many years now, the Winn Feline Foundation has supported funding for FIP, at first to even understand the disease, and more recently to do something about it. There’s been some success, now even at the most specific molecular level the disease is understood. However, still no way to predict which cats will get the illness or not, and no way to successfully treat.

In November 2005, the Winn Feline Foundation announced the creation of The Bria Fund to accept donations for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) research. The fund was named after Bria, a nine-month old Birman kitten who died from FIP earlier that year. Bria had the good fortune to live with Susan Gingrich, now a Winn Board Member, and her husband, James Shurskis,

In 2008, the first Bria Fund projects were announced. And because of the help of thousands of cat owners, many thousands have been raising – giving researchers a leg up for the first time regarding FIP.  Today, we’re closer than ever before.

The Annual Bria Fund Raffle is going on now. It’s fun, and also a way to help cats.

Lots of great prizes ready for your view and selection. Between now and October 31, donate to the Winn Feline Foundation and designate the Bria Fund for FIP, for your donation. For information on options for donating to Winn, stipulating the Bria Fund, visit the Donate page of the Web site

After donating through Winn, complete a raffle monetary donor form to let them know you donated. For each $5 donated, the donor receives a raffle ticket. The information entered is used to contact winners, and to connect prize donors with the prize winners. Prizes can be seen here

For additional information, please contact Susan Gingrich on Facebook or via e-mail at defeatfip@verizon.net

Raffle Prizes include these and dozens of others: Petco Kitty Gift Basket, Amazon Fire TV Stic, 5 Oz. 273 Eau de Parfum Spray Fred Hayman, Sterling Silver Cat Necklace & Earrings, $100 Amazon Gift Cars, $50 Visa Gift Card (2 Winners), Custom Digital Pet Portrait, $25 Petco Gift Card (4 Winners), Cat Toy Gift Basket Filled with 6 Fun Flipper Cat Toys, $100 GG Gift Certificate for Jackson Galaxy items.