Waltham Petcare Science Institute facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | Waltham |
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| Formation | 1973 |
| Type | Research institute |
| Legal status | Private company |
| Purpose | Scientific research into pet health and nutrition |
| Location |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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Membership
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Pet nutritionists, veterinarians, data scientists |
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Parent organization
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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 at Waltham do important research. They study how to best care for pets and what foods are healthiest for them. This includes dogs, cats, fish, and even horses.
History of Waltham
Mars Petcare, the company that makes pet food, started looking into pet nutrition in the early 1960s. They officially created a Nutrition Research Unit in 1965. At first, this research group was in a different place. But in 1973, it moved to an old horse farm in Waltham-on-the-Wolds. This became the home of the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.
Since 2001, there has been a group called the Waltham Foundation. This group helps fund scientific projects. These projects focus on improving the health and nutrition of pets. A TV show on Channel 4 in August 2019 showed the Waltham site.
Amazing Discoveries
Scientists at Waltham have made some very interesting discoveries about animals.
- In July 2005, Waltham worked with the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania. They found out that cats cannot taste sweet foods. This is because cats have a special gene that doesn't work properly. Big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards have the same gene.
- In April 2007, Waltham teamed up with the National Human Genome Research Institute. 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.
Inside Waltham
Waltham is home to many animals. They care for about 200 dogs and 350 cats. These animals are very important for the research. After they have been part of the studies for a while, these companion animals are adopted into loving homes. The main office for Mars in the UK was built right next to the Waltham center in 1981.
There is also another research center in Germany. It is located in Verden an der Aller. This German site is at Mars Petcare's biggest factory in Europe.
