The Irish Wolfhound Foundation

The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of Irish Wolfhounds by raising and allocating funds for research, education, and rescue.

The Foundation's Goals

Health

To identify the types and prevalence of health problems affecting the Irish Wolfhound, and to initiate, support and provide funding for study and research projects which address them. To produce, publish, and distribute to IW owners and veterinary health care providers educational materials relating to diseases, genetic anomalies, and injuries which occur in the Irish Wolfhound. To further the understanding of Irish Wolfhound health issues, thereby improving the quality of life for Irish Wolfhounds and their owners.

Education

To collect and establish a library of historic and resource materials and to organize a database of information about the Irish Wolfhound, which will be available to scholars of the breed. To provide enhanced educational opportunities for caretakers of the breed, and to foster and promote learning experiences relevant to all IW caretakers by partnering with the IWCA and regional IW organizations to institute and produce educational events.

Rescue

To encourage and support the rescue efforts of the IWCA, regional IW organizations, and individuals by providing a vehicle for tax-deductible donations which will be used to rehome and care for Irish Wolfhounds in need.

What has the Foundation done so far?

Generous donations, augmented by income from the Foundation Gift Shop and other fundraising activities, have resulted in significant programs and studies, such as:

  • The IW Lifetime Cardiac Follow-Up Study A definitive study of cardiac health in IWs.
  • The IW Osteosarcoma Treatment Study A clinical trial testing Fosamax as a palliative treatment option for IWs with bone cancer.
  • Efficacy of Digoxin as Sole Means of Rate Control in IW Atrial Fibrillation Study
  • 24-Hour Holter Monitor vs. EKG for Diagnosing IW Atrial Fibrillation Study
  • IW Health Clinics, 2003: CERF & Urinalysis Publication: The Irish Wolfhound Foundation Focus, a quarterly educational newsletter
  • Educational Speakers Janice M. Bright, BSN, DVM, DACVIM
  • Petra Jakobs, Ph.D.
  • William Dernell, MS, DVM, DACVS (sponsored jointly with RMIWA)
  • Nathan B. Sutter, Ph.D. (sponsored jointly with IWADV)

Why do we need the Foundation?

The Irish Wolfhound Foundation exists today due to the vision of the IWCA Board of Directors. They foresaw the desirability of creating a separate, tax-exempt, self-governing entity whose primary mission was to promote the health and welfare of the Irish Wolfhound.

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation is able to raise and allocate funds for IW health research, education, and rescue, while providing tax advantages to benefactors

In 2002 the IWF incorporated The IWCA Riverlawn and Research Funds and a generous bequest from the late Phillippa Crowe, one of the Foundation's leading proponents and its first president, serve as its financial cornerstones.

What can I do to help?

Include the Foundation in your annual giving program. With your help, we will continue to build on these studies, and to offer programs that inform, educate, and inspire the caretakers of the breed. Include the Foundation in your planned giving. Your bequest or other donation will help us establish a self-perpetuating source of income designated for Irish Wolfhound health research, education, and rescue. Participate in the health programs and studies sponsored by the Foundation, showing your commitment to a healthy future for our hounds. Get involved!

The Irish Wolfhound Foundation was incorporated in January, 2002, fulfilling a long-time dream of the IWCA Board of Directors to establish a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization, classified as a 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Service code. Discussion of the Foundation began in 1990, when the late Mrs. Peter Van Brunt bequeathed $10,000 to the IWCA. The IWCA wisely set aside this gift (which would later be known as the Riverlawn Fund), and today, it makes up the operating capital of the IWF. The Irish Wolfhound Foundation will accumulate funds from gifts and contributions to create a self-perpetuating source of income specifically designated for Irish Wolfhound Rescue, Education, and Research. The mission of the IWF is facilitated by its officers and directors, who serve on a strictly volunteer basis. All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible, and any individual, family, or organization contributing to the Foundation will receive the Foundation's newsletter. All gifts will be acknowledged with a receipt.