Scientists at the University of Tokyo were already researching ways to protect cats from kidney disease, but corporate funding for that research has come to a halt after the coronavirus pandemic.
When the news agency Jiji Press published an article about the problem of these investigators, it went viral. Thanks to this article, cat lovers launched an online fundraising campaign to continue this research, and thousands of people soon joined.
what is this disease
A woman who donated $ 20 wrote in a message: “I lost my beloved cat due to kidney disease in December last year … I hope this research continues and that many more cats will be affected. for this disease “. . ”
A Palestinian animal doctor operates on a cat in the West Bank
One person who paid $ 90 said, “I recently brought home a baby kitten. I’m giving to hope that this delicacy is found in time and that this cat is useful as well.”
Whether they are domesticated cats or their older siblings living in the woods, they all have a high risk of developing this disease. This is because an essential protein is often not activated under a process in its genes.
cats can live twice
This protein was also discovered by Tokyo researchers themselves. This is known as AIM and helps cleanse dead cells and other waste from the body. This prevents the kidneys from clogging.
It is possible that with this research cats can live twice
Immunology professor Toru Miyazaki and his team are working on ways to make this protein in a stable quantity and quality. They hope to find a way to double the average life of cats by 15 years as well.
Miyazaki says, “I hope that in the near future, animal doctors can give these injections to cats every year as vaccines.” He also said: “If they can give one or two doses of it every year, it will be good.”
popular research
A few hours after the article was published in July, 3,000 people sent donations to their team without asking for them. In a few days, that number rose to 10,000. This figure is more than the total donations received by the university in a year.
Cat statues preserved in Tokyo’s Gotokuji Temple are considered auspicious
By mid-September, about $ 1.9 million had been received in donations. “I first realized how many people are waiting for the results of my research,” Miyazaki says.
Her team’s research on how AIM works in the body was published in 2016 in the journal Nature Medicine. The team is also developing a pet food that contains a substance that can help activate latent AIM in the blood of cats.
CK / VK (AFP)
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
Big eyes and great spending
Last year, pet stores sold more than 420 billion products. This accounted for 4.3% more sales than in 2019. Adding the sale of food for wild birds, this industry earned more than Rs 470 billion. These data were provided by IVH, an industrial group that manufactures pet supplies.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
your partner in all seasons
Dogs are man’s best friends even in Germany. There are now over a million dogs in the country and last year their sales increased as well as the price. During the epidemic, dogs worked to save people from loneliness. Who wouldn’t spend a little more to feed a family member a good meal?
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
But the first number is not about dogs
Despite the growing popularity of dogs, cats are the true kings of the pet world. There are currently more than 125 million cats in the country, accounting for a quarter of the total number of domesticated animals. Last year, the largest increase (9.4%) was in spending on snacks and cat milk.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
47% of households have pets
Last year, the Germans brought home nearly a million new pets. Now about 47 percent of households have pets, but not all are dogs and cats. There are also about 5 million rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and rats. The number of domesticated birds is 35 lakhs, the number of aquariums is 18 lakhs and the number of terrariums for lizards and turtles is about 13 lakhs.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
it must also be beautiful
In Germany, most people have to follow social distance, but pets can meet their friends while they walk. Perhaps that is why animal doctors, their caregivers, and those who took them for walks were very busy during the epidemic. This expenditure is not mentioned in this study, which means that the actual expenditure on animals is much higher.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
Despite this, the people of Germany are behind America.
Germans may be in love with their pets, but they are far behind by international standards. According to research by ‘The Economist’, Germany ranked fifth worldwide in terms of per capita spending on pets in 2019. Switzerland, France and the UK were ahead of Germany on that list. America was in first place, where pets cost twice as much as Germany.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
“A Tashan”
Most of the spending on pets is spent on food, but there are many other things that are gaining in importance. People with money now also buy Tiffany straps, Prada handbags, Versace bowls, Ralph Lauren sweaters and thick moncler jackets for their pets.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
work from home and then buy online
The work of people from home was good news for pets, but the business of the centers that cared for them all day was ruined. Yes, online shopping for your need has definitely increased. Last year, online spending was at least 70 billion rupees, 16% more than a year ago.
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People in Germany spent billions on pets during the pandemic
The friendship of confinement will continue
Recently, the prices of many animals have risen significantly, but there are many concerns about what will happen after confinement. When the confinement and pandemic are completely over and everything is back to normal, will people still have so much time for their animals and want to keep them? People who run the place where the animals are are more concerned about this. – Timothy Roux
