Waltham Petcare Science Institute facts for kids
 |
|
| Abbreviation | Waltham |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1973 |
| Type | Research institute |
| Legal status | Private company |
| Purpose | Scientific research into pet health and nutrition |
| Location |
|
|
Region served
|
Worldwide |
|
Membership
|
Pet nutritionists, veterinarians, data scientists |
|
Parent organization
|
Mars Petcare |
| Affiliations | International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations, International Veterinary Information Service |
| Website | Waltham |
The Waltham Petcare Science Institute is a special science center. It is part of Mars Petcare, which is owned by Mars, Incorporated. Waltham is located in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Scientists here study how to keep pets healthy and what foods are best for them. They research dogs, cats, fish, and horses.
Contents
History of Waltham Petcare Science Institute
How Waltham Started
Mars Petcare, a company that makes pet food, began studying pet nutrition in the early 1960s. They officially created a Nutrition Research Unit in 1965. This first unit was in a different place nearby. In 1973, it moved to an old farm in Waltham-on-the-Wolds. This new place became the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.
Helping Pets Through Research
Since 2001, a group called the Waltham Foundation has helped fund research. This research focuses on improving the health and food for pets. They support studies that are kind to animals. In August 2019, a TV show on Channel 4 even featured the Waltham site.
Amazing Discoveries at Waltham
Scientists at Waltham work with other experts to learn new things about animals. Here are some of their cool discoveries:
- Cats and Sweet Taste: In 2005, Waltham worked with the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania. They found that cats cannot taste sweet foods. This is because cats have a faulty gene. Big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards have the same gene problem.
- Why Dogs Are Different Sizes: In 2007, Waltham teamed up with the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. They discovered why dogs come in so many different sizes. It's because of changes in a gene called IGF-1. They learned this by studying the Portuguese Water Dog. This research also helped scientists understand more about human genes.
Life at the Waltham Center
Caring for Animals at Waltham
Waltham is home to about 200 dogs and 350 cats. These animals are cared for by the scientists and staff. After a certain time, these pets are adopted into loving homes. This means they get to live with families just like other pets.
Other Research Locations
The main office for Mars in the UK was built next to the Waltham Center in 1981. There is also another research center in Verden an der Aller, Germany. This German site is located at Mars Petcare's biggest factory in Europe.
