31 Oct CATalyst Council Awards $20,000 Grant to Sylvester.ai to Advance Feline Chronic Pain Detection Technology

CALGARY, AB. CANADA (Oct. 31, 2024) — The CATalyst Council, an organization dedicated to promoting the lifelong health and welfare of companion cats, has announced its latest grant recipient, Sylvester.ai, a global leader in pet wellness and animal health digital platforms. The $20,000 grant from the CATalyst Council aims to propel Sylvester.ai’s groundbreaking AI technology, specifically designed to enhance the detection of chronic pain in cats.

Established in 2008, the CATalyst Council has been at the forefront of championing programs and initiatives that prioritize the well-being of companion cats. Through collaborative efforts with shelter and adoption organizations, veterinary professionals, and industry stakeholders, the Council works tirelessly to ensure that companion cats receive the care and attention they deserve throughout their lives.

Sylvester.ai, renowned for its innovative use of AI visual chronic pain detection technology, is committed to revolutionizing pet health assessment and strengthening the bond between cats and their caregivers. The company’s mission resonates deeply with the CATalyst Council’s vision of promoting a lifetime of care for companion animals.

“With this generous grant from the CATalyst Council, Sylvester.ai will continue to push the boundaries of pet health technology,” said Susan Groeneveld, CEO at Sylvester.ai. “Our AI model has already shown remarkable accuracy in detecting acute pain in cats, and this funding will enable us to further refine and expand our capabilities to better understand chronic pain, ultimately improving the lives of countless feline companions.” Frances Valentine, Ph.D and lead behaviorist at Sylvester.ai added, “We are working now with cat populations that have confirmed chronic pain conditions in at home settings and the CATalyst grant has helped propel this vital work forward to benefit all cats in the future.”

The grant funds will support Sylvester.ai’s ongoing research and development efforts to enhance its AI model for chronic pain detection in cats. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, Sylvester.ai aims to provide veterinarians and pet owners with a powerful tool for early intervention and personalized care, ultimately improving the quality of life for cats worldwide.

“We are thrilled to support Sylvester.ai in their mission to advance feline health detection technology,” said Anne Ward, DVM, CATalyst Council Vice President. “Their innovative approach aligns perfectly with our goal of ensuring that every companion cat receives the care and attention they need to thrive. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of cats and their caregivers.”

For more information about the CATalyst Council and Sylvester.ai, please visit https://catalystcouncil.org/ and https://www.sylvester.ai/, respectively.

About CATalyst Council

By accelerating innovation in feline care, the CATalyst Council works to enhance the quality of life for cats and their people. Started in 2008, the CATalyst Council brings together cross-sector experts from academia, veterinary practice, pet industry, animal welfare organizations and adoption agencies, manufacturing, pet insurance and other industry stakeholders, with the goal of enhancing communication and interdisciplinary collaboration on the health and welfare of Cats. For close to two decades, the organization has brought together knowledge, data and resources and has collaborated on multiple programs and communications that have helped further the vision that companion cats receive a lifetime of care.

About Sylvester.ai

Our mission: Cat caregivers, clinics, and digital platforms use Sylvester.ai to visually assess pet pictures and videos in real time to give caregivers feedback immediately and over the life of the pet. Our first model- acute pain assessment; allows users to know instantly if a cat may be in pain by taking a picture of their face via a smartphone. Aligned with veterinary pain assessment protocols and with over 350,000 pictures processed, we are giving pets a voice in their well being over their lifetime.

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