Did you know that one out of two dogs will get cancer and one in four will die from it?

If not, you’re in good company. Surveys show that many—if not most — pet owners do not know that cancer is the number one natural cause of death in dogs age two years and older.

“Before the words, ‘Your dog has cancer’ entered my life, I was blind to the magnitude of the number of dogs diagnosed, the suffering they endure, and how many lose the battle,” said Kristen Crawford, a pet owner.

To educate pet owners like Crawford, the Morris Animal Foundation launched a Canine Cancer Campaign. The organization produced a poster, which hangs in veterinary clinics across the country, to prompt candid discussions between pet owners and veterinary professionals about the disease.

The poster has a chart of dog breeds — from golden retrievers to chow chows — and the types of cancer that are most common for each. Collies are frequently diagnosed with nasal cancer, and skin cancer is common for pugs and shar-peis.

You play a key role in safeguarding your pets. Regular check-ups at the veterinary clinic and recognition of any changes in behavior and energy level help identify cancer before it spreads.

With early intervention many cancers are curable and there are an increasing number of treatment options available.

Ask your team of veterinary professionals today about this serious disease, and arm yourself with information to protect your pets.

After learning about high incidence rates of cancer in dogs, Crawford started volunteering her time to help other pet owners learn about the risks of cancer. She first learned about the cause from her mother, who saw a cancer poster at AAHA-accredited Mandarin Veterinary Hospital in Florida.

Crawford’s 11-year-old Labrador retriever, Dawson, was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma in February and is — as she says — “still fighting strong!”