Like many other companies, Pet Planet believes that the it is important to give back to our communities, and that the most effective way to do that is to have a corporate unity of purpose. For Pet Planet, that purpose is intrinsically tied to the company and all that we do everyday in the form of the Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation, a registered non-profit organization.

Kali was a dynamic 7 ˝ year old Golden Retriever. She was taken by the most deadly and invasive disease affecting our beloved pets today - cancer. Kali was a fixture in the Pet Planet stores and office, where we all came to know her gentle but purposeful nature.

The Foundation was named "Kali's Wish" because we believe that her wish from where she is now and indeed the wish of everyone at Pet Planet is for the day when far fewer families are forced to deal with the devastating loss of a beloved canine or feline family member to this deadly disease. While Kali's life on Earth is tragically over, the work she has inspired for those of us left behind has only just begun. The Foundation has become her legacy and we invite you to join us in the fight against animal cancer, through the many different events and activities in Pet Planet stores benefiting Kali's Wish.

Did You Know?

• A recent study showed that as high as 84% of Golden Retrievers will develop cancer in their lifetime, at least 63% of them will die of it
• Approximately 40% dogs will develop cancer and close to 20% cats will develop feline leukemia.
• Just like people, pets can develop cancer from environmental toxins - pesticide use, toxic household cleaners and second-hand smoke - which may cause healthy cells to turn cancerous.
• More importantly, genetic abnormalities may be true cause of many cancer cases, particularly as it relates to certain pre-disposed breeds.
• Commercial diets that provide little nutritional value will suppress our pet's immune system and over time make them more susceptible to cancer.

Kali Makes A Wish - The Foundation's Story

Every cloud has a silver lining. For Laura Leah English, the silver lining is the Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization she created after losing her 7 year old Golden Retriever, Kali, to cancer in May, 2003. This was Laura Leah's second heart-wrenching experience with cancer, losing her Cocker Spaniel Rueben, to the disease in 1995.

The way Laura Leah and her husband acquired Rueben was like most people - buying a puppy with your heart rather than your head. "We were amateur dog guardians…Rueben wasn't purebred and he wasn't necessarily bred by a responsible breeder, but we got him and he was wonderful," said Laura Leah.

After Rueben was diagnosed with cancer, Laura Leah spent a lot of time learning all she could about the disease and how to properly acquire and care for a pet through things such as proper nutrition, grooming, training, and finding a responsible breeder.

Even after Reuben was lost, Jeff and Laura Leah still wanted another dog to share their life. Their choice, after much research, was a beautiful Golden Retriever they named Kali. Understandably, after her experience with Rueben, Laura Leah's biggest fear was hearing the word cancer again. "It was always something foremost in my mind, but on the flip side it allowed for a greater appreciation everyday of Kali in my life."

Laura Leah used all of the knowledge she had gained through her experience with Rueben to care for Kali. Unfortunately, that was not enough. Seven year old Kali was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma - a blood borne cancer that resulted in a mass tumor on her spleen and on April 2, 2003, the tumor ruptured.

Laura Leah describes experiencing this devastating disease for the second time "The first week was very difficult. She was very weak and had difficultly breathing. Neither of us slept much. My mother and I spent considerable time researching cancer treatments and alternative therapies and came up with a very intense and regimented detox and immune system building program. It included vitamins, supplements, Chinese herbs and homeopathic treatments. My veterinarian, Dr. Wanda Vockeroth, was very helpful in creating these alternative treatments and my gratitude goes out to her and her staff for all of their time and attention."

Sadly, Kali lost her battle with cancer in the early morning of May 5, 2003. The Tuesday after Kali died and not having slept for several days, Laura Leah was surfing the internet looking for more information about cancer and Golden Retrievers when she came upon a website a woman started after she lost her Golden to cancer. "I wrote a letter thanking her for the website because I really needed it. At the end I wrote a paragraph that Kali's purpose in life was to motivate me to create the Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation." Laura Leah had found her silver lining. "It is very clear that Kali's experience is here to take us to the next level of what needs to be done."

There's little information available that deals with the issues of cancer in our companion animals, a disease that today is the number one killer of our pets, said Laura Leah. "The ultimate goal of the Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation is to build the Kali's Wish Wellness Centre that will bring together conventional and complementary treatments to better understand, prevent and treat cancer in domestic pets," she said.

For many guardians of pets with cancer, the only option presented to them is euthanasia. People want other options and that's where the Foundation can help. "We have to take the emotion of losing a pet to cancer and funnel it into some very practical, focused work to accomplish our mission".

Funds raised through the Foundation go towards education and awareness programs, cancer research programs (no animal testing), providing information on treatment programs and ultimately, the creation of the Kali's Wish Wellness Centre. In addition to the Wellness Centre Fund, the Foundation is currently accepting proposals from researchers seeking funding in the areas of the genetic link to cancer and complementary treatment options.

The first step towards the final goal is already up and running - Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation website at www.kaliswish.com where you'll find information, Foundation news and how you can help.