PetLynx EZbits

NOTICE - National Urban Animal Report for 2010

2011-03-24T12:51:00.000-06:00

Executives in the companion animal industry concerned about the impact of the Internet and the other matters impacting their business are invited to attend an OpenSpace on this matter at the Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies, 13 - 19 April 2011 in Toronto, Halifax, Red Deer and Vancouver.

Background:
The proliferation of the Internet is having a remarkable effect on the companion animal industry. In 2006 and 2010 Mike Dover contributed to the understanding of the new Internet paradigms through his involvement on the "Wikinomics" and "Macro Wikinomics" team. In 2011 he launched his own book "WikiBrands" to investigate the impact of the Internet and social media on branding.

OpenSpace:
Retailers, Humane Societies, Veterinarians, Breeders, Licensing Agencies, Internet and other Service providers are invited to attend one of four Summits and to participate in a facilitated discussion of wikibrand principals. Mike Dover, author of "WikiBrands", principal of Socialstruct Advisory Group is delivering the National Urban Animal Report for 2010 and will speak to the issues of online brand development and maintenance.

Other Summit Conversations:
Patricia Cameron, Executive Director, Calgary Humane Society, will be leading a conversation that looks at the four waves of the humane movement. Joe Mauro, CEO of the Canadian Kennel Club will be leading a conversation on voluntary compliance and best practices for breeders. Louis McCann, Chair, National Companion Animal Coalition, will be leading a conversation on the new National Codes of Conduct governing all aspects of the companion animal industry.

Registration:
The specific venues and dates, as well as registration, for this event can be found at http://www.tsuas.com/ or by contacting Judi Cannon:

e: event@tsuas.com or p: 705.749.6607.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Agenda Set for the 2011 Regional Summits April 13-19

2011-03-02T16:53:00.003-07:00

Great Presenters. Compelling content. Stimulating conversations.
The 2011 Regional Summits will deliver all this and more!

'Collaboration, change and progress' are not words usually associated with the many challenges we face in the companion animal industry. Yet they are now being used to describe the various initiatives resulting from conversations that started at the October 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) and are continuing in communities across Canada!

We invite you to attend the 2011 Regional Summit (RSUAS) event in the community nearest you. The Regional Summits are the 'Reader's Digest' version of the International Summit. These events allow you to gain insight on what transpired at the International Summit, review industry metrics and and to join in conversations that are moving the companion animal industry in exciting new directions!

This year's Regional events will focus on the ever-challenging issue of 'animal homing'. A line-up of dynamic speakers will deliver a synopsis of presentations from the 2010 ISUAS and an interactive 'Open Spaces' program will be facilitated by Karen Dawson, Create Now Inc. Open Spaces is a proven networking strategy that puts all industry stakeholders in one room and fosters a spirit of respect, trust and open communication. Karen's role as moderator is to support us as we get 'unstuck' and engage in meaningful and productive conversations.

The RSUAS is your chance to have input in these important game changing topics! We invite you to join us and challenge you to reach out to other community stakeholders in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration by inviting them to join us, too.

The companion animal industry is moving forward ... and if you consider yourself (and your organization) as a 'mover and shaker' in your community... please join us! At a cost of just $150 per day, per delegate, the Associate Regional Summits are a cost-efficient way to connect to your community and make things happen!

REGISTER NOW to attend the 2011 Associate Regional Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in a community near you:

Central - Toronto, ON, Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel ~ Wed., 13 April
Atlantic - Halifax, NS, Lord Nelson Hotel ~ Thursday, 14 April
Prairies - Red Deer, AB, Capri Hotel ~ Monday, 18 April
Pacific, Vancouver, BC, Fairmont Airport Hotel ~ Tuesday, 19 April

2011 RSUAS Agenda and Speaker Line-up

08:00 - 08:30            Continental Breakfast
08:30 - 09:30            Highlights from the 2010 PetLynx Urban Animal Report - Mike Dover
09:30 - 10:15            Catching the Fourth Wave - Patricia Cameron, Calgary Humane Soc.
10:15 - 10:30            Break
10:30 - 11:15            Best Practices for Breeder Compliance - Joe Mauro, CKC
11:15 - 12:00            National Codes of Conduct - Louis McCann, PIJAC Canada
12:00 - 13:00            Lunch - Regional Alumni + Award Winner Reports + Year of the Cat
13:00 - 17:00            PetLynx Open Spaces - Industry Conversations
17:00                       Associate Regional Summit ends... but conversations will continue!

Feel free to forward this blog post to your companion animal industry colleagues.

Thank you for your support of Summit programs and for your

efforts to build healthy communities for pets and people.

AND THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Ontario SPCA PIJAC Canada

Petsmart Charities Canada PetLynx

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is 19 -22 Oct. 2011.

Join us at the Fairmont Montebello, Quebec as we focus on Animal Health and Wellness.

Questions about The Summits? Please contact the Program Manager:
Judi Cannon (e) event@tsuas.com (p) 705.930.7387

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Thank You for Caring for Cats!

2011-02-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

"We are only one month into the 2011 Year of the Cat (YOC) campaign and already we have made significant progress!" says Judi Cannon, Collaboration Manager Care for Cats. "Reports about the Year of the Cat have appeared in dozens of newspapers, websites and other media outlets in the past four weeks. As a ‘behind-the-scenes’ member of the Care for Cats Committee, I extend a heart-felt THANK YOU to everyone involved with this important project for making this progress possible."

In the months leading up to the official YOC launch on January 5th, Canada’s companion animal industry rallied together in an amazing spirit of collaboration and commitment. Although we are still in the early stages of the program, all indicators are that we are moving in the right direction. Our combined efforts are creating a heightened awareness about the plight of cats in our communities and the industry is combining resources to insure a successful project. Well done!

The 2011 Year of the Cat Committee and its 13 key collaborators that represent 93 communities are dedicated to shed a bright light on the cats in Canada. Our efforts are drawing attention the opportunities that exists to work collaboratively with all community stakeholders to increase the value of owned, homeless and feral cats.

While everyone’s efforts are much appreciated, we extend an extra special THANK YOU to:

• Dr. Liz O’Brien who brings her ‘Jack Russell Terrier/Cat Woman’ energy, tenacity and passion to this project. Without her, Care for Cats and the Year of the Cat would not have been possible.

• Petsecure who started us down this road at the 2010 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies. They are one of the founding sponsors of Care for Cats. They have not only supplied seed money but also the resources of a creative team for the logo, website design and professional consultation.

• PetLynx who first brought the vision of collaboration to the pet industry. They are one of the founding sponsors of Care for Cats and vision holders of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies. PetLynx has supplied the collaborative technologies and project management for this initiative.

• PetSmart Charities of Canada who immediately put their hand up to become a sponsor. Kit Jenkins’ knowledge, expertise and resources are a welcomed addition to this important initiative.

• Ontario SPCA who has generously offered to lend their campaign and creative expertise to this initiative. Their sheltering and adoption experience has proven to be invaluable.

• PIJAC Canada who has graciously donated translation services.

• CVMA for their editorial support and sharing of resources material. As well, for the promotion through their communication channels and willingness to support and participate in bringing awareness to their members, who represent the one of the closest connection to communities across Canada.

• OVMA for the promotion through their communication channels and willingness to support and participate in bringing awareness to
their members who then share the message at the grassroots level in communities across Ontario.

• Advisory Council (click for list) and key members who have shared and incredible amount of time and resources, and vetted a wealth of educational content for the community toolbox. Our veterinarian team of feline practitioners has created numerous
articles that could not be found anywhere else and we are grateful that they are willing to share their knowledge through Care for Cats website.

"I look forward to ramping up our momentum to another level for this nation-wide, one-of-a-kind initiative over the coming months," concludes Cannon. "Again, thank you for Caring for Cats. Together we are making a difference!"

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Regional Summits 13-19 April 2011

2011-02-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

People in the companion animal industry are talking about change ... and you are invited to join the conversations!

At a cost of just $150 per day, per delegate, the Associate Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies are a cost-efficient way to connect to your community and participate in on-going discussions that are impacting the companion animal industry, pets, and people in your region and across the nation.

Join us as for any one of four full-day programs focused on 'animal homing in our communities' ... a synopsis of material presented at the 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) last October. This event inspired on-going dialogue and industry collaboration through a unique 'open spaces' program. As a direct result, multiple conversations and ground-breaking initiatives that started at the Summit are continuing in your community. For the first time ever, all sectors of the companion animal industry are working collaboratively on important initiatives such as:

National Codes of Conduct
Breeder Codes of Conduct
Identify all Dogs and Cats in Canada
Creating Proactive Pet Families
Year of the Cat
Network of Training Resources
Highway of Hope
Reforming Legislation for Companion Animals

REGISTER NOW to attend the 2011 Regional Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in a community near you!

Central - Toronto, ON ~ Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Atlantic - Halifax, NS ~ Thursday, 14 April 2001
Prairies - Red Deer, AB ~ Monday, 18 April 2011
Pacific, Vancouver, BC ~ Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Thank you for your support of Summit programs and for your work to build healthy communities for pets and people.

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies
19 -22 Oct. 2011.

Join us at the Fairmont Montebello, Quebec

as we turn our attention to Animal Health & Wellness.

Questions about The Summits? Please contact the Program Manager:

Judi Cannon (e) event@tsuas.com (p) 705.930.7387

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

1.1 Million Homeless Animals Adopted

2011-01-30T08:00:00.003-07:00

The 2010 Iams Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive was a resounding success! In 96 days more than 1.1 million animals were adopted to new forever homes and five million bowls of pet food were donated!

Believed to be one of the world's largest pet adoption campaigns, Iams Home 4 the Holidays resulted in 1,125,667 animal adoptions in 96 days. The campaign ran from between October 1, 2010 through January 4, 2011.

The campaign is supported by Iams and longtime partner, the Helen Woodward Animal Center, along with more than 3,500 animal organizations from around the world once again joined forces to help reduce pet homelessness.
Forever homes were found for:

593,146 dogs
509,470 cats
23,051 other animals

"With all the hard work that animal organizations do every day, we're thrilled to be able to support those efforts and shine an even brighter light on the issues and the importance of pet adoption each year with this program," said Mike Arms, founder of Iams Home 4 the Holidays and president.

Since the program began in 1999, more than 5 million pets have been placed in forever homes

The 2011 program will begin in October. To learn how to get involved and make a difference in the life of an orphaned pet, visit http://www.facebook.com/iams for ways to adopt, donate or volunteer.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Wackiest Pet Names of 2010

2011-01-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

For many pet owners, the names 'Max' and 'Bailey' may sound mundane and simply boring. In order to pay homage to those who take pride in their pets’ unconventional names, Veterinary Pet Insurance set out for the third year in a row to find the 50 most unusual dog and cat names in the United States.

VPI employees selected the most unusual dog names from the company’s database of more than 470,000 insured pets, and narrowed them down by voting for the 50 most unusual names in each category.

Some of the funny names for dogs included: Pickle Von Corndog, Bettie Poops and Virginia Woof!

Wacky cat names were Bing Clawsby, Cleocatra and Chairman Meow.

Does your pet have a funny name?
Share it with PetLynx EZBits followers!
Comment below or send us an email.

Read more funny pet names HERE.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

If you Care for Cats ... post this information on your Facebook Page

2011-01-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

PetLynx Corporation is proud to be one of the sponsors of

2011 The Year of the Cat, a Canada-wide public education initiative orchestrated by Care for Cats that is intended to "get rid of the myths and give the facts!"

This program was launched on January 5th and has been well-publicized through various media outlets, on blogs, tweets, facebook pages and good old-fashioned 'word of mouth' advertising. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in making this possible!

Loads of valuable content has been added to the Care for Cats website and new information is posted weekly. This information is there for you to use -- free of charge -- to help you better care for your own cat or to help promote responsible cat ownership in your community. Be sure to check back often!

To access these valuable resources, click on the scroll down menu on the Pet Industry Toolbox for great content on education, wellness, ID/legislation and population control.

The section for Pet Families has a kids corner, fun cat videos and a tool box.

Help use celebrate cats and educate Canadians about their value in our society ... and thank you for caring and for sharing!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Help Spread the Word About the Farley Foundation

2011-01-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

PetLynx is please to share exciting news from the Farley Foundation!

TORONTO, Jan. 19 /CNW/ In celebration of surpassing its first $1 million in disbursements to help people in need pay for the necessary veterinary care of their pets, the Farley Foundation is asking all pet owners and members of the media to spread the word about our amazing charitable work through Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts with the following message:

"Help spread the word. The Farley Foundation has reached a major milestone by disbursing its first $1million to help thousands of pets across Ontario. Learn more at www.farleyfoundation.org"

"We've come a long way in a relatively short period of time," says Dr. Mark Gemmill, President of the Farley Foundation. "When we first opened our doors in 2002, we had hoped to provide Ontario veterinarians with the opportunity to direct some of their benevolent work to assist the neediest pet owners in our communities.

"Clearly, the Foundation has struck a chord with Ontarians who understand the bond that exists between people and their pets. This has given us the momentum and the financial ability to assist nearly 3,000 sick or injured pets belonging to people who benefit most from pet ownership, including disabled individuals, seniors and women at risk of abuse."

Carole, an Ontario Disability Support Payment recipient, is just one of many funding recipients who credits the Farley Foundation with helping to save the life of her cat. "My best friend Rainbow, a 3-year-old calico suddenly became very ill. I called the vet she had seen with a previous owner, and they asked me to bring her in which I did. I was completely at a loss to how I would pay to have her looked at, let alone fix her.

"I paid for an antibiotic and a visit and her infection continued. Obviously surgery was inevitable. I thought I would have to have her put to down, because as I am on ODSP, there would be no possible way for me to pay for surgery. The veterinarian was wonderful and made a call to the Farley Foundation. Days later I was accepted and Rainbow was scheduled for surgery. They covered the entire cost ... less than two weeks before Christmas, ...and saved my best friend's life. She is doing great and I am grateful for the Farley Foundation."

"By simply cutting and pasting the above message into your social media account, pet owners have the potential to raise the bar even higher," says Dr. Gemmill. "The more people who know about the Farley Foundation, the more people who will know that help is available in Ontario, and the more people and pets we will be able to assist."

To date, the Farley Foundation has assisted:

Dogs - 1570
Cats - 1098
Rabbits - 8
Birds - 7
Ferrets - 4
Rats - 3
Snake - 1
Horse - 1
Chinchilla - 1
Bearded Dragon - 1
Guinea Pig - 1
Hamster - 1

Learn more at www.farleyfoundation.org or join them on Facebook or Twitter.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Did you miss the 'Cat Crazed' Documentary on CBC?

2011-01-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

As a proud sponsor of Care for Cats and the 2011 Year of the Cat initiative, PetLynx Corporation encourages people in the community and those working in the companion animal industry to become part of the conversation to change public perceptions about cats.

To gain insight into the magnitude of the cat overpopulation crisis in Canada watch the CBC TV Doc Zone special 'Cat Crazed' on line

Interested in being part of the solution to the cat overpopulation crisis? Participate in the 2011 Year of the Cat initiative.

Learn about the International Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Companion Animal Industry Rallies Together to Tackle Cat Overpopulation Crisis

2011-01-05T08:00:00.008-07:00

2011 is declared ‘The Year of the Cat’ —
launching a nation-wide campaign
to encourage people to treat cats like dogs

Conversations about the cat crisis in Canada that started at the International and Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies have evolved into an unprecedented national campaign to tackle the cat overpopulation crisis and raise the social status and value of cats in our communities.

At the 2009 Summits for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS), Dr. Elizabeth O’Brien, one of only four Board Certified Feline Specialists in Canada, was one of the featured speakers. She showcased a successful Year of the Cat education campaign created by the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA. Enthused by the support she received at the ISUAS and the Regional Summits, Dr. O’Brien agreed to become the spokesperson for a national Care for Cats committee. The Year of the Cat campaign is the committee’s first project. Coincidentally, 2011 is officially the Vietnamese Year of the Cat.

The Care for Cats initiative is being organized under the direction of a volunteer Advisory Council with representatives from all four sectors of the companion animal industry. It is being financially supported by Petsecure Pet Insurance, PetSmart Charities Canada, Ontario SPCA and PetLynx Corporation. Community collaborators such as shelters, animal services, vet clinics, and retailers will be delivering educational messages and events across Canada in a unified fashion to gain the most impact.

“Many people do not realize it but – when it comes to cat overpopulation and the resulting burden on animal shelters, municipalities and communities – Canada is in crisis,” explains Dr. O’Brien. “The nation’s animal shelters are over overflowing with abandoned, lost and feral cats. Every year tens of thousands of healthy cats and kittens are euthanized because there are not enough homes for all of these cats.”

Care for Cats has built its public educational campaign based on solid facts. The 2008 Urban Animals Survey, commissioned by PetLynx Corporation for the ISUAS, provided statistical proof of what people working in animal shelters and veterinary hospitals have known for decades: cats are not generally valued as much as dogs. In almost every category covered by this survey, dogs received better care than cats.

The study revealed that more than 8.5 million cats are warming the sofas of 36 per cent of Canadian households. The disappointing news is that half of them did not receive regular veterinary care in the past 12 months and less than 25 per cent have permanent identification, such as tattoos or microchips. Forty-one per cent either haven’t been vaccinated in the last four years or have never been vaccinated at all.

Sadly, it also appears that the 21 per cent of cat owners with unaltered cats don’t appear to understand (or care) that there is an alarming cat overpopulation problem in North America. Fifty-four per cent of people who owned cats that were not currently spayed or neutered reported that they were “unlikely” to have their cats altered in the coming year.

The Year of the Cat campaign will facilitate the delivery of several national events in 2011 including:

May: A cat awareness campaign and an adopt-a-thon
Sept. 23: Oct. 2: National Cat ID Week
December: Hoping for Fur-ever homes adopt-a-thon

“The message we need to get to the public is not only about the importance of spaying and neutering cats as a means of population control,” concludes O’Brien, “we also have to try to change attitudes about the intrinsic value of cats in our society. In a nutshell, we need people to start treating cats like dogs! We invite anyone interested in cats and creating healthy communities to visit our website and get involved in the Year of the Cat campaign.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Liz O’Brien, Care for Cats Committee Chair

(p) 905.570.4145 (e) drliz@careforcats.ca

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Petsecure Pet Insurance

PetSmart Charities Canada

PetLynx Corporation
Ontario SPCA

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

CBC Television's 'Cat Crazed' documentary premiers January 6, 2011

2011-01-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Cats were the main focus of discussions at the 2009 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS). Amongst the group of industry thought leaders from across North America gathered there was a camera crew from Vancouver-based Bountiful Films. Maureen Palmer, Director, was in the early stages of research that would take her and her crew across North America and beyond to capture on film and celebrate our nation's love affair with cats and encourage a new relationship with North America's most popular pet: one where all cats are loved and none are abandoned.

According to CBC TV's promotional literature, the new documentary, Cat Crazed, marries documentary storytelling with Oscar-nominated animator Cordell Barker's comedic genius to delivery an irreverent take on the world's cat overpopulation crisis.

"We had the privilege of reviewing this film prior to its release and feel that it will be very valuable in terms of bringing various cat conversations together in 2011," says Larry Evans, President, PetLynx Corporation. "We are thrilled that this cat documentary premiers this week ... at the same time the industry launches the nation-wide Care for Cats public education campaign. The 2011 Year of the Cat is an initiative that was created as a direct result of industry conversations that began at the 2009 Summit."

We invite you to watch this film and become involved in the conversations to improve the lives of our feline friends.

CAT CRAZED 2011 AIR DATES:

Check your local listing for air times

CBC Doc Zone, Thursday, January 6

CBC News Net, Friday,January 7

Repeat, Sunday, January 9

Watch a You-Tube Cat Crazed Video Trailer.

Posted by Terri Perrin, PetLynx Online Communications Editor

Summit Story in PIJAC Canada's Newsletter

2011-01-03T08:00:00.002-07:00

Did you ever wonder how, when and why the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies got started? Now you can read all about it in the December 2010 issue of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada's (PIJAC) e-newsletter, 'The Voice'.

Learn how Larry Evans and the PetLynx Corporation's team's vision of opening the lines of communication amongst all sectors of the companion animal industry is making a difference for pets and people in communities across Canada and gain insight into how pet retailers feel about the important role they play in the companion animal industry.

To read the full story, download the 'PIJAC The Voice Issue 10' PDF file from the PetLynx Public Newsroom

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

A Happy Holiday HomeSafe Story

2010-12-23T08:00:00.006-07:00

Max, our 13-year-old Shepherd/Husky-cross, ran away from home on December 17th. The last time we saw him, he was running toward the bush behind our home. My partner and I followed what we thought were Max's tracks through the fields and bush for two hours without setting eyes on our dog.

Our search was was very frustrating. We eventually become separated ... and, miles from home, I fell in the frozen field and sustain a knee injury. I was driven home by a kind woman whose backyard I finally found myself in.

As soon I returned home I posted a missing dog report on PetLynx. Then, I spent a very long, very sad weekend thinking that old Max -- who's sight and hearing are very poor -- had either frozen to death or may have been attacked by coyotes.

My partner never gave up hope that Max would find his way home. Eventually, he did .... but not on his own!

A school teacher had spotted Max walking down the middle of the highway, being dodged and honked at by passing traffic. She loaded him into her car and took him to the Dundas Animal Hospital were they sheltered him and searched for his owner. They found our report on Petlynx and called me Monday morning.

We are so grateful to ...
the woman who drove me home when I hurt my leg,
the teacher who rescued Max off the highway,
the people at Dundas Animal Clinic who cared for Max,
and the people at PetLynx for helping Max get home ... safe!

You are all truly Christmas angels and we cannot thank you enough!!!!

Merry Christmas

Susan and Max

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Injured Dog Struggles to Raise Litter of Five: Four Puppies and One Kitten

2010-12-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

At PetLynx Corporation we LOVE happy endings! So we are thrilled to share this amazing story from Edmonton, Alberta, of how love and family are important .... especially at Christmas!

She was a young, homeless single mom trying to raise her litter of puppies, but true to the spirit of the season there was room for one more...

The badly injured German Shepherd-cross was caring for her four newborn puppies — and a kitten — on a central Alberta reserve when she was found by rescue volunteer Criss Gerwin.

Gerwing took the entire family to the Edmonton Humane Society, where veterinarians thought they'd have to amputate the mother dog's bad leg. But local vet, Dr. Milton Ness, Capilano Veterinary Clinic, volunteered to do a special surgery that saved her hind quarter.

The dog is expected to fully recover. She, her puppies and her kitten may soon be available for adoption. Her new name -- Esperanza -- bodes well for her and her furry family's future — it means "hope" in Spanish.

Check out this heart-warming rescue story in the Winnipeg Free Press

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Important 2011 Summit Announcement!

2010-12-18T18:00:00.004-07:00

Date change to accommodate our animal health colleagues

In 2011, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) turns its focus to animal health and wellness. This is a fitting theme, since 2011 marks the 250^th Anniversary of Veterinary Medicine and has been declared World Veterinary Year.

A few days ago, our friends at the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association [CVMA] asked if we would consider moving the dates for the 2011 ISUAS to accommodate the 30^th Annual World Veterinary Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The World Veterinary Congress will draw veterinarians, other health-care professionals and their families from around the world ... including delegates and alumni of the ISUAS.

For this reason, after consulting with key industry contacts, we have agreed to change the date of the October International Summit to enable Thought Leaders from the animal wellness sector to attend both events.

The new dates for ISUAS are: 19 -22 October 2011.

We trust this advance notice is sufficient to allow you to change your fall 2011 schedule. We thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you at the beautiful Fairmont Montebello, Quebec in October.

Thank you for your support of Summit programs and for your work to build healthy communities for pets and people.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Dog Saves Human

2010-12-15T08:00:00.012-07:00

In the spirit of love and compassion that is the foundation of the Christmas season, we share the following adoption story as a way to acknowledge and thank people across Canada who work tirelessly to rescue and re-home lost, abandoned and abused animals.

In the companion animal industry we always talk about humans adopting animals... but in many cases it is the animals who give unconditionally of their love and are our salvation. Enjoy this adoption story from an dog's point of view!

Merry Christmas from PetLynx Corporation

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Author Unknown

Help IAMS with their North America-wide campaign to get shelter pets Homes4theHolidays.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2011 Summit W5 ~ Focus on Animal Health

2010-12-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is being held in Eastern Canada in 2011

WHO WILL GATHER: Thought leaders and visionaries from all four sectors of the Companion Animal Industry.

WHAT WILL THEY DISCUSS: Animal Health & Wellness in our communities.

WHERE WILL IT BE HELD: The beautiful Fairmont Chateau Montebello, Quebec

WHEN: 12 - 15 October 2011

WHY:

The health issues faced by an aging human population are also appearing in the pet population.
Those who claim standing as health and wellness practitioners may or may not be certified and adhering to acceptable standards of practice.
The cost of providing pet health services is rising, yet the levels of medical insurance to pay for these services in our communities is not keeping pace.
The future brings the promise of new technologies, new innovations in prophylactic health care, nutrition management and an understanding of how genomic applications will contribute to a healthier pet population.

Of course there are also social aspects to identify and understand, such as:

future implications of the human animal bond,
the inherent value of pets in our communities,
the delivery of health services using a not-for-profit model and,
the impact of various belief systems on pets in the community.

Finally, no discussion of Animal Health and Wellness would be complete without illuminating the transfer of diseases between animals and people that must be a component of our strategies to maintain a healthy community for pets and people.

To learn more about the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, visit www.tsuas.com

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Petsecure Ensures BC SPCA's Adopted Pets are 'All taken care of'

2010-12-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

PetLynx Corporation is please to share some exciting news from one of our industry partners!

On November 29, 2010, Petsecure pet insurance and the BC SPCA announced a new partnership that will provide all cats and dogs adopted through the BC SPCA with a six-week trial of pet insurance through Petsecure's Adoptsecure Program.

Each pet adopted from any of the 36 BC SPCA branches across British Columbia will go home with a trial of Petsecure pet insurance for accidents and illness valued at up to $500.

"As the leading pet insurance provider in Canada, we are very proud to be the pet insurance provider of choice for the leading animal welfare organization in British Columbia," says Randy Valpy, President and CEO of Petsecure. "This program introduces new pet parents to the importance of pet insurance and responsible pet ownership and provides them peace of mind while they are getting their newest family member accustomed to their new home."

"We are delighted to be partnering with Petsecure and to be able to offer new adopters and their animals this added benefit," says Craig Daniell, CEO for the BC SPCA. "Not only does the program promote the health and well-being of the animals leaving our branches, but it also highlights the responsibility of pet guardians to plan for the life-long care of their animals."

In addition to providing the six weeks of coverage to all new dog and cat owners, Petsecure has committed to supporting the BC SPCA through $140,000 in donations to the organization over the next two years. As the BC SPCA is a not-for-profit charity, this funding will help the BC SPCA's work with the homeless, abused, injured and neglected animals of British Columbia.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

CareerBuilder Survey Looks at Pet Owners and Career Paths

2010-11-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Are you a cat person or a dog person and what does that mean for your career path? A new survey from CareerBuilder looked at pet ownership in relation to chosen profession, compensation and job satisfaction.

Key findings include:

Workers with dogs were more likely to report holding senior management positions (CEO, CFO, Senior Vice President, etc.)
Workers with snakes/reptiles were the most likely to report earning six figures.
Workers with birds were the most likely to report being satisfied with their jobs.

In terms of career paths, owners of certain pets were more likely to report being drawn to certain professions:

Dog owners were more likely to be professors, nurses, information technology professionals, military professionals and entertainers.
Cat owners were more likely to be physicians, real estate agents, science/medical lab technicians, machine operators and personal caretakers.

Want to know what a snake or bird owner might be when they grow up?

Get the full story in the Globe and Mail.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

PetLynx Corporation passes the 1 Million registered entities mark

2010-11-24T07:00:00.008-07:00

CALGARY, 24 November 2010: PetLynx Corporation is pleased to announce that it has achieved a significant milestone in the emergence of its production database by registering the one millionth entity in its automated pet recovery service.

PetLynx is Canada’s only information network for storing companion animal information and manages Canada’s most recognizable pet services brand. PetLynx automated recovery services are used in more than 211 urban centers across the country and the company has received support to move forward with automating recovery and information services for the rest of Canada.

"I find it extremely gratifying that the companion animal industry has embraced the PetLynx concept of one secure and centralized animal record." said Larry Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation. "We are so grateful for the assistance of our strategic allies in Canada: Procter & Gamble, Western Financial Insurance Company, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian Kennel Club, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada, Destron Fearing, CDMV and Ontario SPCA. It is through their support and encouragement that the achievement of this benchmark has been possible. They are a testament to the power of collaboration in this industry.”

In 2011, PetLynx Corporation will launch the HomeSafe® program which is another game changing innovation for the companion animal industry. This industry wide collaboration is expected to bring together all of the stakeholders in each community to create a new understanding of compliance for pet parents and service providers alike. The City of Edmonton has agreed to prototype the HomeSafe® programs and to track the benefits which can accrue to the pets and people of a more compliant community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cindy Kreutzer, PetLynx Corporation (p) 403.219.1088 (e) cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Companion Animal Industry Embraces Change

2010-11-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

5th Annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies leaves delegates feeling optimistic

Collective compassion and a forward-thinking spirit of collaboration was the foundation for discussions at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) held at Lake Louise, Alberta, 13 – 16 October 2010.

Over the course of the four days, more than 80 delegates attended a series of presentations, networking sessions and an open forum that provided opportunities to share ideas, set goals, form new alliances and consider various strategies to develop National Codes of Conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities. The event was deemed a great success with delegates from across Canada returning to their respective communities full of enthusiasm and optimism that the state-of-the-art in urban animal strategies is about to undergo a revolutionary change.

The overall success and spirit of collaboration fostered at the Summit can be summed up by comments received from delegates:

The Summit is always a highlight for the year for our organization!
I come away from the Summit rejuvenated and ready to tackle new projects.
Networking is extremely important to further improve our own programs. It provides the opportunity to see what works … and what does not.
Right people, right info, right time! We are poised to work together to have true impact.I look forward to everyone reporting on our accomplishments at the next Summit.
Hats off to the PetLynx team for creating the environment and opportunity.
This was the best Summit to date and reflects a growing respect within the industry.

“Over the past five years the International and Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies have successfully delivered programs to hundreds of delegates in communities across Canada,” explains Larry Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation. “Conversations that start at the Summits are being continued in our communities and are the catalyst for positive changes in the way we serve pets and people.”

The focus of this year’s event was ‘Homing Animals in our Communities.’ A stellar line-up of guest speakers provided insight into the industry from four very different perspectives.

Animal control and legislation challenges, successes and strategies was addressed by John Wilson, City of Edmonton. Further insight into homing animals in urban municipalities -- based on a statistical analysis of the previous years’ Urban Animal Surveys -- was delivered by Lisa Chen, Senior Analyst from Socialstruct Advisory Group.

Patricia Cameron, Calgary Humane Society, introduced delegates to her ‘Next Wave’ theory of the animal welfare movement, expanding on the extraordinary successes (and challenges) of her organization and others in the Calgary market. Jim Sykes and Kate McDonald, Ontario SPCA, made a presentation on their controversial, yet highly successful, ‘FixYourPet.ca’ spay/neuter awareness campaign.

Insight into the role that pet stores play in our communities was delivered by Susan Dankert and Louis McCann, PIJAC Canada; Keith Burgess, Paradise Pets; Robert Brissette, Petland Canada; and Kit Jenkins, Petsmart Charities of Canada. Topics of discussion included the industry’s efforts to invest in employee education programs, secure reliable sources for livestock, work with humane societies and rescue groups to re-home animals, and developing National Codes of Conduct for the companion animal industry.

Challenges faced by animal breeders and their regulatory agencies was covered by Joe Mauro and Lee Steeves from the Canadian Kennel Club. Larry Evans, PetLynx Corporation, addressed the broader issue of ‘compliance’ and endeavoured to address this topic from a broad perspective. He also introduced a new program called ‘HomeSafe’ that will be officially launched in 2011.

Adding in an extra day for this year’s event allowed for the introduction of a new forum for discussion and delegate interaction called 'Open Spaces.' The day-long networking/team-building/collaboration exercise was lead by certified executive coach and leadership development facilitator, Karen Dawson, Create Now Inc.

Dawson encouraged Summit delegates to identify issues that needed further discussion, commitment and action, then invited participants to break into groups to address each topic. Subjects of intense discussion included everything from increasing awareness of the value of cats in our society, to developing national codes of conduct for animal homing, reduced cost spay/neuter programs and much more.

On the Summit feedback survey one delegate reported: “I was not sure what to expect upon coming into the room [for the Open Spaces] on the morning [of Day Two] … but once everything was explained and we presented the topics of discussion I was energized. Karen is an awesome facilitator and did an excellent job!”

As a result of conversations started during the Open Spaces sessions, several committees have been established and an Internet-based discussion board called ‘Open Space’ has been launched on the PetLynx wiki. In the coming months, Open Space will help to facilitate the development of new programs, improvements in protocols and, most importantly, on-going collaboration across the entire companion animal industry in eight key areas.

An annual highlight of the event is the Summit Awards Gala. This year there were 12 awards presented to recognize individuals, businesses and associations who have achieved success.

The Summit wrapped up with breakfast on the Saturday morning and an engaging Keynote Address based on how companies can deploy technology to engage customers in discussion about their brands in a meaningful way. The Keynote was delivered by Mike Dover, Managing Partner of Socialstruct Advisory Group and co-author of the new book Wikibrands: Reinventing your Company in a Customer-Driven Marketplace.

"As a result of the Open Spaces discussions and the high calibre of presentations I feel that we achieved our goal of hosting the Summit to initiate an unprecedented spirit of collaboration and open the lines of communication across the various sectors of our industry,” concludes Evans. “We are all excited to see what initiatives will develop in the coming months."

Learn more about the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies at: www.tsuas.com

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Australia Proposes Tough New Pet Purchasing Law

2010-11-18T08:00:00.006-07:00

Children under the age of 18 will no longer be able to buy pets without their parents' permission in Victoria (Australia) if the Brumby government is re-elected.

RSPCA Victoria president Hugh Wirth said he was "thrilled" with the government's election package of animal protection measures, which includes a ban on selling pets to minors.

Dr Wirth said the change would make it illegal for children to buy pets without their parents' permission and sellers could face fines of between $1000 and $2000 for doing so.

"The reason we requested the government to do that is by law at age 18 everyone is deemed to be mature enough to make a positive decision and be accountable for that decision," he said today.

Petsecure Pet Insurance's 'FURther the Fight' Campaign

2010-11-15T08:00:00.006-07:00

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Petsecure pet insurance is joining the fight against pet cancer with their November Pet Cancer Awareness Month campaign, ‘FURther the Fight’, on Facebook and Twitter ... and PetLynx Corporation is pleased to be able to help them promote this campaign!

For every new fan to join their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter in the month of November, Petsecure pet insurance will donate $1 to the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pet Trust Fund, towards pet cancer research.

Pet cancer affects pets at the same rate as human cancer affects humans. Treatment for pet cancer is also similar; with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as primary sources of treatment. Having paid over $1.2 million for almost 3,000 cancer related claims in 2010, Petsecure pet insurance is all too familiar with the emotional and financial toll it can take on a family. For this reason, Petsecure pet insurance is proud to be donating to the OVC Pet Trust Fund to help find a cure.

In 2009, Petsecure pet insurance donated over $1,400 to the OVC Pet Trust Fund towards cancer research, from their ‘FURther the Fight’ campaign. “This year, we’re hoping to see more success and an even larger donation to the OCV Pet Trust Fund in hopes of getting one step closer to finding a cure," says Randy Valpy, President and CEO of Petsecure. “As Canada’s leading pet insurance company, it’s our role to educate and raise awareness around conditions such as pet cancer. It’s an illness that affects thousands of pets and just as we support fundraisers for human cancer, we can’t forget about our pets. That’s why we hope to see our Facebook and Twitter fans act as ambassadors in joining us in this fight against pet cancer, by helping us spread the word.”

Pet Cancer Facts:

Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year.
Cancer is the #1 natural cause of death in older pets.
Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans.
One in four dogs dies of cancer.
Over 50% of the dogs over age 10 will die of cancer.
Just like in humans, cancer can occur in virtually any part of your dog's body.
Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
The cause of cancer in pets, just like people, is largely unknown.
Common risks of obesity in pets include many forms of cancer.

Source: Blue Buffalo- Pet Cancer Awareness

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Cats need our help ... this is the help they need!

2010-11-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

THE OPPORTUNITY: Care for Cats and the Year of the Cat are the first major initiatives resulting from ideas born at the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. This national program will enable all sectors of the companion animal industry to work together to tackle the cat overpopulation crisis while raising the social status and value of cats in our communities.

Care for Cats is a long-term project that will respond to the cat overpopulation crisis by creating and distributing public education programs and support materials, encouraging community collaboration across all industry sectors; providing accurate resources; and collecting and evaluating national metrics to measure success.

We cannot expect to completely solve the cat crisis in a single year. Care for Cats was formed ... Year of the Cat is its first project.
Launch date: January 2011.

2011 Year of the Cat (YOC) is a Canada-wide initiative orchestrated by Care for Cats that is intended to “get rid of the myths and give the facts!’ This program will bring a national time-line of events such as adopt-a-thons and an identification week. To facilitate the effective delivery of these programs online tool kits will be provided at no cost to community collaborators across Canada.

THE CATALYST: In October 2009, industry thought leaders from across Canada gathered for the 4tth Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) to focus on the issue of cat overpopulation. Dr. Elizabeth O’Brien was invited to showcase a successful education campaign created by the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA in 2008. It was called The Year of the Cat.

Enthused by the support she received at the ISUAS and the Regional Summits, Dr. O’Brien was asked by delegates to become the spokesperson for a national campaign in 2011, which is officially the Vietnamese Year of the Cat. With the support of an impressive team of industry collaborators, Dr. O’Brien has since traveled across Canada championing the initiative.

THE STRATEGY: With the generous support of its sponsors, and the volunteer commitment of dozens of Canada’s most well-respected industry experts, Care for Cats is working collaboratively to:

Develop a website and online tool kit containing resources to help create awareness by response and education.
Promote collaboration between the sectors within each community and across the country.
Encourage communities across Canada to host YOC events and education campaigns.
Synchronize promotions Animal Health Week, Cat Awareness Week, Cat ID Week and Adopt-a-thon.

YEAR OF THE CAT WILL EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ON:

The importance of spaying and neutering to curb cat over-population and improve cats’ health and well-being
Effective methods of delivering spay/neuter financial assistance programs
Improving existing Trap/Neuter/Release programs and introducing TNR to new communities
Increasing animal shelter ‘Return-to-Owner’ rates through identification, registration and licensing

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call Dr. Liz O’Brien at 905.570.4145 or email: drliz@careforcats.ca

Care for Cats Website is coming soon!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Petsecure Pet Insurance and PetLynx Corporation.

We look forward to your support, collaboration and participation.

It’s easy to care

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Happy, Healthy Cat Photo Contest!

2010-11-08T08:00:00.005-07:00

At PetLynx Corporation we know that cats are much-loved and valued members of your family. So we want to share this good news about an exciting new photo contest!

America’s Golden Girl Betty White is joining forces with Sergeant’s® Pet Care Products and Morris Animal Foundation for the Happy, Healthy Cat Photo Contest.

The contest celebrates Morris Animal Foundation’s annual campaign to bring attention to feline health and features the wide range of products from Sergeant’s Pet Care that promote happier, healthier lives for cats.

The contest runs October 26 to December 15, 2010. Enter at: sergeants.com

“Cats are wonderful pets and sometimes don’t get the respect they deserve. They make you laugh and they can laugh with you. They can be the best friends in the world,” said Betty White, an avid animal advocate and strong supporter of Morris Animal Foundation. She will serve as judge of the photo contest. “Send your photos in now, while you’re thinking about it! We want to see those happy, healthy kitties!”

PHOTO CATEGORIZES INCLUDE:

Happy, Healthy Cat: photos of cats that best represent the happy, healthy contest theme.
My Favorite Human: photos of cats with their favorite family, child or adult.
My Favorite K9: photos of cats with a dog, to show the bonds of friendship between the species.

For more information, visit the Sergeant's web site at www.sergeants.com.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Gets Rave Reviews

2010-11-05T08:00:00.002-06:00

Building in an extra day for the 2010 International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies allowed for the introduction of a new forum for discussion and delegate interaction called 'Open Spaces.' The day-long networking/team-building/collaboration exercise was lead by certified executive coach and leadership development facilitator, Karen Dawson, Create Now Inc.

Karen encouraged Summit delegates to identify issues that needed further discussion, commitment and action, then invited participants to break off into groups to address each topic. Subjects of intense discussion included everything from increasing the value of cats in our society, to developing national codes of conduct for animal homing, reduced cost spay/neuter programs and much more.

"As a result of these Open Spaces discussions, delegates left the Summit empowered and optimistic," says Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation. "We feel confident the companion animal industry is on the cusp of great change. Facilitating collaboration and opening the lines of communication across the various sectors is the catalyst for this change."
Feedback from the 2010 Summit Open Spaces participants:

I feel excited about the future and making change in a real meaningful way.
I’ve met incredible individuals and the open space allowed the 'walls' to come down.
Face to Face is the BEST way to collaborate!
I have come away with a much greater understanding and appreciation for the complexity of this industry and the challenges and opportunities before us if we follow through with all of the commitments we have made.
I’ve realized how flimsy the silo walls are and how, through communication and judgment-free strategizing, we can reach into those other silos and ask for help.
I have learned from others what their values and concerns are.
I have learned how much we have in common.
I have a renewed energy and hope that we can all progress together.
I feel enlightened and excited about the future possibilities.We realized a closer working relationship with our partners and progress was made towards long term goals.
I learned a lot and I am inspired to work towards some of the collaborations and initiatives we talked about.

Learn more about the International and Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies. CLICK HERE.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Tips to Keep Dogs HomeSafe

2010-11-03T08:00:00.006-06:00

It is good to know what to do when you lose your dog ... but it is better to do your best to prevent your pet from getting lost in the first place!

Here are some valuable tips from PetLynx Corporation and the American Kennel Club:
In your Neighborhood:

Don’t let your dog off-leash – Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves.
Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard – Dogs left outdoors for long periods of time are targets, especially if your fenced-in yard is visible from the street.
Be Cautious with information – If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.

On the Road:

Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation for thieves, even if you are gone for only a moment. Leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage break-ins and possibly allow the dog to escape, even if the thieves don’t decide to steal it too.

Don’t tie your dog outside a store – This popular practice among city-dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.

RECOVERY

Protect your dog with microchip identification – Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Thieves will not know the dog has a microchip until a veterinarian or shelter worker scans it so keep contact information current with your microchip recovery service provider. For more information, enroll your pet in a 24-hour recovery service such as PetLynx.

If you suspect your dog has been stolen – Immediately call the police / animal control officer in the area your pet was last seen and file a police report. If your dog has a microchip, ask to have that unique serial number, along with the dog’s description, posted in the “stolen article” category on the National Crime Information Center.

Canvass the neighborhood – Talk to people in the immediate vicinity where your pet went missing for possible sightings of the actual theft.
Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing – Keep several current photos (profile and headshot) of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account such as PetLynx so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.
Contact the media – Call the local TV station, radio station and newspaper and ask to have a web post put out about your missing pet.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Concerned About Pet Overpopulation?

2010-10-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Consider "Fixing 'em while they're young"

At PetLynx Corporation we are committed to ensuring all pets have HomeSafe homes. That's why we want to share this importance resource addressing the topic of pediatric spaying and neutering of puppies and kittens. This could very well be a big part of the solution to North America's homeless pet overpopulation problem!

PetSmart Charities has an educational video that will help reduce homeless pet overpopulation by training veterinarians on how to perform spay/neuter surgeries on puppies and kittens as small as two pounds and as young as 6-8 weeks old.

The video, produced in partnership with Humane Alliance is titled Veterinary Seminars in Spay-Neuter Surgery Pediatrics. It is available for free download as www.humanealliance.org.

Groups can also order a copy for the cost of shipping and handling through the Humane Alliance Web site.

Additionally, animal welfare organizations can view a free Webinar by Dr. Brenda Griffin detailing the importance of pediatric spay/neuter and how to be part of the homeless pet overpopulation solution. The Webinar is available at www.petsmartcharities.org. Griffin, an adjunct associate professor of Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida, is board certified in small animal internal medicine and one of the collaborating veterinarians on this project.

"We want to remind animal welfare organizations that this valuable resource is now available and encourage them to work with the shelter or partner veterinarians to share the information on the video," says Susan Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "By spreading the word about the importance of early spay/neuter techniques, we can all help present homeless pet over population."

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Every Home Needs a Harvey!

2010-10-25T08:00:00.004-06:00

This creative video may be promoting the power of television advertising ...

but at PetLynx Corporation we felt it does double-duty by promoting adoptions from animal shelters!

Too bad every 'Harvey' can't get this kind of promotion ...

so that all homeless companion animals could be HomeSafe!

Find out how you can help a homeless animal this year!

Check out Iams Homes4the Holidays.

Cats Comfort Breast Cancer Patients

2010-10-22T08:00:00.006-06:00

People and Pets HomeSafe

When the words "pink" and "cat" are used in the same sentence, it's usually referring to a kitten's nose. But this October, "thinking pink" and talking about cats takes on a whole new meaning, thanks to the folks at Purina Cat Chow!

Recognizing the remarkable bond between cats and breast cancer patients, this October, Purina Cat Chow is making a contribution to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for every specially-marked product sold. The target goal is $100,000.

According to Susan Molenda, vice president of marketing for Nestle Purina PetCare, "The support and comfort cats provide during these difficult times reinforces the important role pets play in our lives and to society, and we are pleased to lend our support to this worthy cause." According to a US study conducted by Nestlé Purina, 84 per cent of cat owners battling breast cancer said their feline companion had a calming effect on them during their treatment. This same study also revealed that 73 per cent said their cats knew they were sick.

Ontario-based veterinarian and feline specialist Dr. Liz O'Brien believes that's true. "Cats are much more attune to their environment and attached to their human family members than people give them credit for, "says O'Brien. "Cats have an innate sense and pick up on the fact that their caregiver is sick, and the stronger the bond with the cat, the more he or she will react to the situation."

Get the whole story .... CLICK HERE.

Learn more about the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Announcing the 2010 Summit Award Winners!

2010-10-18T12:57:00.000-06:00

CALGARY, ALBERTA, 18 OCTOBER 2010: Close to 100 delegates and guests gathered at the beautiful Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise, Alberta, on Friday, October 15th, to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) gala awards night.

Summit Awards were presented in a dozen different categories, representing all four sectors of the companion animal industry including:

    •    animal control and legislative enforcement,
    •    animal welfare,
    •    animal health and wellness, and
    •    animal services.

Winners were determined by current ISUAS delegates and alumnus in good standing who cast their ballots via a confidential computerized voting system.
The Canadian Kennel Club’s Andrew Patton, chair of the Summit Awards Committee and master of ceremonies for the event, said that this year’s nominees represented the “best of the best.”

“While we could only award one winner in each category,” said Patton, “every nominee is an exemplary example of creativity and dedication in their efforts to improve the lives of pets and people in their respective communities. Both nominees and winners deserve our congratulations!”

AND THE WINNERS FOR 2010 ARE:

SHELTERING: Fredericton SPCA
ADOPTION: Edmonton Humane Society
WELLNESS: Nova Scotia SPCA
EDUCATION: Nova Scotia SPCA
COLLABORATION: Fredericton SPCA
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS: Dogs in Canada Magazine
COMPLIANCE: City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services
RETAILER: Pets West Pets & Supply
RECOVERY: City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PROVIDER: Alberta Animal Services
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT: George Potter ~ Alberta Animal Services
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Charles Simonds ~ CKC Foundation

OTHER NOMINEES INCLUDED: Calgary Humane Society, Whisker Rescue Foundation, Nana Kiska Memorial Foundation for Canine and Feline Cancer Research, Ontario SPCA, Banded Peak Veterinary Hospital, North Star Pets, Taylor Made Pet Products, Laird Englinton Animal Hospital, Greg Stromgren of the Beaufort Delta SPCA and Stacey Worobetz from Whiskers Rescue Society.

Learn more about the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.

THANK YOU TO OUR AWARD SPONSORS!

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies

Destron Fearing

Dogs in Canada Magazine

Iams Canada

Ontario SPCA

PetLynx Corporation

PetSecure

PetSmart Charities of Canada

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada

ABOUT THE ISUAS: An initiative of PetLynx Corporation and its industry partners, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies [ISUAS] attracts Executive Thought Leaders from North America’s Companion Animal Industry to develop strategies that will create and sustain healthy communities for pets and people. Executive level discussion, networking and world-class speakers facilitate the executive working sessions. The Annual Summit Awards are presented in conjunction with the alumni Summit each October and bestow the recognition of industry peers upon individuals and organizations who are achieving success in each summit award category.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Support Iams Homes 4 the Holidays Event

2010-10-18T08:00:00.004-06:00

Do you 'LIKE' the idea of helping homeless animals?

Then PetLynx encourages you to help Iams -- one of our valued industry partners -- reach their goal of finding homes for 1.5 million animals during the annual Iams Homes4theHolidays event.

In addition to sponsoring a North America-wide adoption drive, Iams will be donating up to 2 million bowls of food to the North American shelter network via their social media campaign!

You can help by:

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter.
Clicking "Like" on Iams' Facebook page to donate food.
Sharing the Facebook page with friends and family ... so they can click "Like" to donate food, too!

Visit the Iams Facebook page to support the campaign by commenting or clicking 'LIKE'.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

The 2101 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is on now!

2010-10-14T07:00:00.003-06:00

THANK YOU TO OUR VALUED SPONSORS!

CLICK HERE for more info on the International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

The 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

2010-10-11T17:22:00.001-06:00

The 4th Annual Summit Awards Gala

Featuring Entertainer Dale Downing and

Master of Ceremonies Andrew Patton, Canadian Kennel Club

The Summit Awards are in celebration of those who have achieved the recognition of their peers for proficiency or achievement in the care of pets and people in communities across Canada. The event will be held on Friday, 15 October 2010 at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta.

This year's Entertainer, Dale Downing brings us comedy, illusions and crowd pleasing magic in a performance that has made him famous in a career spanning four continents and 30 years. His inspired performances have earned standing ovations, repeat engagements, awards from his peers and a place along side the country's outstanding entertainers.

Back by popular demand our Master of Ceremonies is the engaging and ever enthusiastic Andrew C. Patton, from the Canadian Kennel Club.

Andrew sees great opportunity for the companion animal industry in "big-picture collaboration, allowing us the prospect of touching every pet in Canada and engaging and offering value to the pet families with whom they live."

Andrew aspires to be the person the dogs in his life think he is and enjoys misquoting one of Napoleon’s generals: “We can either love cats or understand them, but never both.”

For information of the Summit Awards Gala email: judi.canon@petlynxmail.com.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part XIII

2010-10-09T08:00:00.013-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

High Volume Spay/Neuter Clinics

Presenters: Kate MacDonald and Jim Sykes, Ontario SPCA

This session will tell the story of how the high-volume spay/neuter model was introduced in Ontario … and more importantly, of the impact the model has had in the brief period of time since its inception.

FixYourPet.ca … It’s the kindest thing you can do.

A legacy for Animal Welfare in Ontario

Learn the key components of developing the model including forming strategic partnerships, establishing the goals and objectives, working within regulations and engaging our communities and the public in the cause.

By the end of the session, you will have gained a synopsis of the program’s impact to date and future projections, the key components of the business plan and budget for one site, and an overview of the marketing messages and communications strategies for the promotion of spay/neuter.

ABOUT KATE MACDONALD

Kate MacDonald has 25 years experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in strategic planning, capital campaign management, financial analysis, non-profit administration and donor relations.

Currently, Kate serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Ontario SPCA, supporting over 50 active communities across Ontario. Kate’s main emphasis is on re-focusing the organization’s cultural vision to concentrate on collaborative service delivery, including establishing strategic alliances, strengthening brand recognition and developing province-wide fund development programs. Since joining the Ontario SPCA in 2007, the organization has achieved the strongest financial position in recent history, has strengthened provincial legislation with the first substantive change in 90 years, and has introduced the first high-volume spay/neuter services in the province, along with the award winning public service campaign FixYourPet.ca.

Kate looks forward to contributing to the Year of the Cat in 2011 by engaging communities across the province to promote the campaign and by being an active member of the Care for Cats Advisory Council, chaired by Dr. Liz O’Brien.

Kate is proud of the contributions she has made to organizations including United Way, Canadian Living Foundation, Sunnybrook Foundation, William Osler Health Centre Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Kate is an active volunteer nationally and within her rural community, has taught fundraising at Mount Royal College and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

ABOUT JIM SYKES

Jim has spent his entire career working with grassroots community groups and large national organizations. He spent ten years as a faculty member at Hamilton’s Mohawk College teaching urban politics and psychology. After a career of more than twenty-five years as a community development and management professional in the Canadian YMCA Jim decided to re-challenge his skills by working with the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA as its President and CEO from 2004–2009.

During this time the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA expanded the scope of its programs and services, pioneering the ASPCA© Meet Your Match™ family of adoption related programs in Canada, created a range of new youth/humane education programs, re-launching a greatly enhanced Pet Encounter Therapy program, and successfully brought Therapeutic Riding programs under the HBSPCA’s umbrella. In the Fall of 2009 the HBSPCA successfully accredited a new Companion Animal Hospital within its existing 28,000 square foot facility. In 2007 at the National Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, Jim was selected by his colleagues to receive the prestigious “Summit Award for Individual Achievement” This award recognized Jim’s leadership in Animal Welfare at both the Ontario SPCA and Hamilton/Burlington SPCA.

In October of 2009 Jim accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Ontario SPCA where he had previously been the volunteer President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for almost four years.

Jim’s current work with the Ontario SPCA focuses on assisting the CEO and Board with a renewed vision for the organization to be shared with the fifty communities that it currently serves under the OSPCA Act.

Jim’s family includes four dachshunds all adopted from the SPCA over the past six years.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part XI

2010-10-09T08:00:00.011-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

Responsible Homing Practices at Retail

Presenters: Kieth Burgess, PIJAC /Pet Paradise

and Robert Brissette, PetLand Canada Inc.

As a community based source for pets and pet care information Canadian pet retailers have an integral role in helping to ensure pets find good homes. Pet stores have come a long way since they first appeared in the 1950’s.

As the emotional value of pets has sky rocketed in the last decade owners are becoming more conscious and open to the needs of their animals. A respected, easily accessible source for information, retail stores are well positioned to educate owners about the responsibility and work involved in caring for their pets. This presentation will take a brief look back at the evolution of pet retail and what drives it today.

Keith Burgess and Robert Brissette will explore the challenges faced by both independent and large operations, as well as, share the homing initiatives they use in their business models to illustrate how reputable retailers are working to advance the well-being of pets in their communities.
ABOUT KEITH BURGESS

After 20 years in the restaurant management and consulting field, Keith started in the pet industry in 1991 as an owner-operator of a franchised pet store with his wife Beverly. Armed with standards borne from previous experiences, Keith set out to make a difference in his store and in the perception of pet stores in his community.

Motivated by his dedication to make a difference, Keith joined the board of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) in 1997. He was Vice President of the National Board from 1998 to 2007 and for the last 3 terms has served as President. During his time on the Board he as supported an emphasis on training, education and guidelines to help pet stores continue to evolve and improve.

From his own community to international forums Keith is deeply invested in the health of the pet sector. Locally, he has served on the Toronto Animal Services Committee and provincially he works with the government of Ontario helping to develop action plans addressing alien invasive species issues. This past spring Keith represented Canada at the International Pet Advisory Council meeting in Germany and for 5 years was the Canadian representative on the Tetra Certified Retailer Advisory Board.

Keith remains passionate and dedicated to his original goal of "making a difference". He believes you can't just talk about change and you can't do it alone. Everyone has to get involved to make it happen.

ABOUT ROBERT BRISSETTE

Robert Brissette’s grandfather ran a general store in a small, rural town in southeast Manitoba, selling all the basic wares that families needed. But what Brissette has tried to emulate in his own business endeavors is the sense of community, friendship and consistency that his grandfather really gave to the town.

Since 1979, Brissette and his wife, Barbara, built on their initial vision of creating a pet store that was more like a zoo with open pens, healthy pets and “pet counselors” that worked closely with families to find them the right pet. They built Petland Canada into prosperous franchises and the largest full-line pet store chain in Canada.

He has carved out a unique niche in a highly competitive industry by becoming a meaningful part of the community. His company works with animal shelters, humane societies, city-run pounds, veterinarians and private citizens who are in need of help. The company’s Pets for Life program includes facilities for abandoned dogs and cats operated as a no-kill shelter in the large format stores.

Brissette’s vision for the future is to double the size of the company over the next five years, so Petland will be in every major market in Canada. His ambition comes from his genuine belief that pets and people belong together – the bond is natural and healthy. He has encouraged some of his employees to acquire Petland franchises and acts as a mentor, someone who knows because he built it from the ground up over 30 years.

“A successful business is one that balances business logic to that of the heart,” says Brissette.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part XII

2010-10-09T08:00:00.006-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

A Framework for National Codes of Conduct

Presenter: Louis McCann

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada (PIJAC Canada)

The welfare of urban animals in Canada is the common link between all sectors of the pet industry. With a long history of philosophical differences these sectors have frequently found it a challenge to collaborate. This presentation will discuss the reality the industry is currently facing and why national codes of conduct are desperately needed to help address homing issues.

Louis McCann will propose a step by step plan on how to work together and explain why a cooperative pooling of resources is the path to progress. He will offer evidence of other success stories and discuss how existing materials can help pave the way to developing codes of conduct. Louis will share his experiences from both the SPCA and business sides of the industry to illustrate why a unified approach is the key for success.

ABOUT LOUIS McCANN

Louis McCann has spent the last 35 years working in the pet sector. At the age of 16 he began working for the Montreal SPCA cleaning kennels. After achieving his Bachelor of Science with a major in wildlife management Louis worked his way through the ranks of the SPCA, becoming the Director of Cruelty Investigations and Director of the Wildlife Department. In addition to his directorial duties Louis was also the society’s media spokesperson and representative in the area of municipal animal control.

In 1991 Louis became the Executive Director for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada). He took the position, confident that he would find in this job, the necessary tools and opportunities to successfully pursue his vision of improved animal welfare practices and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.

For almost two decades Louis has been the lead advocate representing the interests of pet businesses in Canada, including; manufacturers, distributors, retailers and pet care service providers. Combining his own expertise with government partners and other pet welfare organizations Louis has raised the bar for the Canadian pet industry. He has achieved this through the development of health protocols, municipal and provincial guidelines, best practice recommendations for businesses and the promotion of sound animal care and husbandry practices in all sectors of the pet industry.

Louis views cooperation over confrontation as the ultimate path to progress, this why he has worked tirelessly to advance standards surrounding the care and health of pets everywhere. He is a founding member of Anima Quebec, the National Companion Animal Coalition and as an original member of International Pet Advisory Council, Louis is a well respected figure on the world stage.

From rescuing seals in Montreal harbour to speaking in provincial legislatures across Canada, Louis McCann is one of the foremost authorities on urban animal issues.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part X

2010-10-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

Homing Practices Amongst Canadian Canine Breeders

Presenter: Lee Steeves, Canadian Kennel Club

In this thought-provoking and fact-filled presentation Lee Steeves will provide an in-depth look at the demographics of Canadian Kennel Club dog breeders. She will examine some of the basic characteristics of dog breeders and what makes them unique. Further discussion about the CKC's Code of Ethics and Breeder Code of Practice will shed light onto this important but often misunderstood segment of the companion animal industry.

Steeves will also delve into some of the 'Why's and How's' of the CKC's Breeder Focus: what steps are being taken to ensure breed improvement; breeder and public education; and some of the challenges faced into today's environment.

Looking to the future of the CKC and dog breeders, Steeves will discuss topics such as market share, media focus, validation of breeding stock and the supply/demand chain.

ABOUT LEE STEEVES

Lee Steeves and her husband, Ken Curren, own Regalridge Kennels, a dog breeding and boarding facility located just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. They actively breed and show Airedale and Welsh Terriers.

From a professional perspective, Steeves is retired from senior management in the Federal Public Service, having managed large organizations within several federal departments for most of her career. After leaving public service, Steeves became active in community affairs and has chaired the County's Regional Economic Development Board, the CAP Committee and has developed and presented basic computer training skills programs for seniors in her community. She also works part time as a communications consultant in the areas of government and private sector policy and training.

Steeves has also been active in the dog community for several decades. Her impressive list of credits includes: Past President of the Atlantic Terrier Association and the Welsh Terrier Association of Canada; Editor of American Airedale magazine; and a member in good standing of several national and international dog clubs. A long-standing member of the Canadian Kennel Club, she is the current Chair of the association's Board of Directors and has acted as Chair of the Strategic Planning and the Responsible Dog Ownership Committees, as well as a number of other CKC Councils.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part VIII

2010-10-07T08:00:00.004-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

HomeSafe™, Bringing Voluntary Compliance to our Industry

Presenter: Larry Evans, PetLynx Corporation

The companion animal industry has focused on developing a more ‘responsible pet parent’ for at least the past four years. This activity has established an awareness level that can now serve as the foundation for an acceleration phase within our industry. The pet parents we serve have already shown they are willing to be responsible in other areas of their lives.

This presentation discusses the broader concept of ‘compliance’ and seeks to understand it in the context of the entire industry. We will seek to illuminate the need for consensus in the definition of compliance and to examine voluntary compliance as the best/only approach for the pets and people we serve in our communities.
Other topics to be discussed include:

six areas the industry can agree upon to measure compliance
enforcement as a tool in voluntary compliance
different approaches that may be necessary with ‘proactive’ and ‘reactive’ pet parents’
tools pet parents can use to become more compliant
intentions that may allow us to categorize and brand pet breeders
strategies to reduce or eliminate non-compliant breeders

ABOUT LARRY EVANS

For more than thirty-five years, Evans has been involved in the development of new markets for large multi-national firms. In 1981, Evans was hired by Ericsson Communications of Stockholm, Sweden to join a team bringing wireless and switched products to North America. This small team won more than 20% of the North American cellular market in just three years.

Evans is one of the founders of the Lenbrook Group of Companies. This privately held company grew to become one of the leading Canadian companies in electronics, but is best known for its development and subsequent sale of Clearnet Inc. a national cellular network to TELUS Mobility Inc. in one of the largest transactions completed in the North American telecommunications industry.

In late 2001, Evans was engaged as President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation. Raising capital for an emerging company in a new category was very difficult under prevailing market conditions. Evans completed a new business plan, raised new investment, completed initial technical developments, and delivered the PetLynx vision to market in 54 months. With Evans’ leadership, PetLynx has developed a vision and built a successful Information Utility that provides a new level of connectivity to the companion animal industry in North America.

Although Evans is best known for his tenacious grasp of business development and his ability to articulate a vision of the future, he is also known for his ability to meet and overcome personal challenges. In 1984, Evans suffered a serious accident which kept him out of active business until returning for a second stint with the Lenbrook Group in 1989.

Today Evans lives on a small ranch near Crossfield, Alberta, where he and his wife of 34 years, Janice, contribute to their community and enjoy their rural lifestyle, Percheron horses and the proximity of their four adult children.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part IX

2010-10-07T08:00:00.003-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:
WikiBrands ~ Reinventing your Business in a Customer-Driven Marketplace
Presenter: Mike Dover, Socialstruct Advisory Group

Based on the upcoming book Wikibrands: Reinventing Your Company in a Customer-Driven Marketplace this presentation discusses how companies can deploy technology to engage customers in discussions about their brands in a meaningful way.

For the longest period of time companies created products and services, pushed them out to their customers using the tools of the period. The 4Ps of marketing were sacrosanct – product, place, promotion and price. When strategies were formed, these customer functions were in the business of planning and pushing out these messages, through media intermediaries. The message was controlled; our role as consumers was to listen and buy. Now faced with a dramatic shift in how the technology-enabled collaboration changes relationships, an Internet-savvy generation will bring about huge changes in business and culture. How business creates value through brands will be transformed by the relationships and experiences we have with customers. Brands will no longer be a word in the mind but will require a new more sophisticated architecture involving two-way conversation and integrity.

The presentation will cover:

The ways in which successful brands compete in the twenty-first century,
The motivations for these brands to venture into customer collaboration, and
The nine elements of successfully building and managing a Wikibrand.

Specifically, this presentation will discuss how the principles of Wikibrands can be deployed within the domestic animal industry including collaboration between industry stakeholders, motivating community members and developing effective social media campaigns.

ABOUT MIKE DOVER

Mike Dover is Managing Partner of Socialstruct Advisory Group. He is the co-author of the forthcoming book Wikibrands: Reinventing your Company in a Customer-Driven Marketplace.

Dover is a highly-connected research executive with more than a decade’s experience leading nGenera Insight, a world-class think tank. He was responsible for operations, content quality, and client management for $9 million, multi-year research studies on the intersections among technology, business strategy and society including the groundbreaking Talent 2.0 Research Program. Mike led more than 200 professionals over the course of the programs. The research in these programs formed the basis for the bestselling books Wikinomics: Mass Collaboration Changes Everything and Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World.

Dover is an experienced public speaker and panelist who has delivered dozens of highly-rated speeches about the role of technology, generations in the workplace, and popular culture.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part VII

2010-10-06T17:37:00.000-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:
Homing Animals in the Canadian Urban Environment
Presenter: Lisa Chen, Socialstruct

Petlynx has conducted a number of empirical research studies to investigate public opinion and metrics on behalf of the industry. This presentation discusses how we can best mine the plethora of existing data and the strategies we can use to collect real-time market intelligence on a go forward basis. Among the areas we will discuss are the following:

Reporting the numbers of cats/dogs coming into or leaving our communities, including more accurate techniques for delivering future estimates of breeding intentions, homing/re-homing episodes and the numbers of households required to accommodate the available pets;

Identifying the multiple sources of cats/dogs that arrive in our communities and in particular which of these sources the industry can influence and which of them remain outside industry influence. We will also attempt to describe these sources by the intentions under which they operate, [Unintentional breeders, Intentional non-compliant breeders and Intentional compliant breeders] so the industry can address the related issues;

Using the developing consensus for compliance and codes of conduct for industry service providers and “pet families,” to discover the metrics for benchmarking communities that would encourage alignment across the industry; and finally,

Developing a consistent model of collecting and assembling data so that it can influence the culture of our industry to enable fact-based decisions from tangible evidence continually collected to show progression and growth over time.

ABOUT LISA CHEN

LISA CHEN, Ph.D., is Senior Analyst at Socialstruct. From over 15 years of experience, she has developed expertise in providing clients exceptional insights through both quantitative and qualitative research. She has held a variety of senior management, academic and consulting positions. Dr. Chen is known as an exceptional communicator who’s written and presentation skills are always well-received and highly rated.

Previously, Dr. Chen was an Executive Analyst at nGenera Innovation Network, a community of thought leaders who provide insight for next generation enterprises in the 21^st century. At nGenera, Dr. Chen was lead researcher for Grown Up Digital, a 2008 book by Don Tapscott (author of Wikinomics). While Senior Director of Youth and Education Research at both Crux Research and Harris Interactive, she directed a plethora of market research studies for youth marketers ranging from understanding the drivers of human decision making in consumer choices to insights for non-profit organizations and educators. From her tenure at Sesame Workshop, Noggin and Scholastic, she has extensive knowledge in children's media use, multiculturalism/diversity, and website assessment.

Dr. Chen earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the Steinhart School of Education at New York University and holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part VI

2010-10-06T08:00:00.002-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

Animal Services in an Urban Municipality

Presenter: John Wilson, City of Edmonton

Recent events in the City of Edmonton have created an opportunity for City Council and the Administration to undertake a critical review of it's Animal Care and Control service delivery model. High euthanasia rates; the construction of a state-of-the-art care and control facility; and a new campus style animal services delivery model partnering with the Edmonton Humane Society all require changes to the way we think about companion pets in our community. They have also clarified the need to pursue an ambitious outcome; that no adoptable animal is euthanized in the City of Edmonton.

In order to develop a comprehensive series of recommendations to improve animal care and control services to achieve this outcome the City conducted research into the companion pet situation in Edmonton.
Pet owners were surveyed to determine how they felt about pet licensing, how they would like to see the City use the revenue created from licensing fees and their support for current industry trends such as lifetime licenses, value added license incentives, trap/alter/release programs for feral cats and permanent identification.

This information was then compared with statistical data to illustrate the challenges in meeting this outcome and generate options to do so. Some of the results of this research confirmed current beliefs about what companion pet owners value while some of it was more surprising.

John R. Wilson, the City of Edmonton's Community Standards Branch will present some of the highlights of this research and how it will be used to introduce significant changes to the way in which animal care and control services are provided to Edmontonians.

ABOUT JOHN R. WILSON

John R. Wilson is the Director of the Complaints and Investigations Section for the City of Edmonton. Part of John's portfolio includes managing the City's Animal Care and Control Officers. A 10-year veteran with the City of Edmonton, John has worked in a variety of enforcement related fields both in the public and private sector. Mr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Athabasca University and has spent eight years working with the leadership of the Alberta Municipal Enforcement Association Executive as their Education Officer. Currently, John is assisting in the transition of Edmonton's Animal Care and Control staff into a brand new facility built around a partnership and campus-style concept with the Edmonton Humane Society.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Summit Speaker Synopsis Part V

2010-10-05T08:00:00.016-06:00

International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies
Presents: 2010 Canadian Breeder Survey

Presenter: Joe Mauro, Canadian Kennel Club

In March of 2010 the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) conducted an in-house survey of its breeder community. 2009 ended with a significant drop in dog registrations and CKC wanted to find out why.

The survey centred on breeders with registered dogs in 2008 who saw a drop in the number of dogs registered with CKC in 2009. It examined breeder attitudes and perceptions to the factors affecting their breeding programs.

What did breeders believe was the reasons behind the drop in their registrations from 2008 to 2009?

As well, the survey attempted to determine what breeder attitudes were going into 2010 – would they be breeding or had events taken their toll.

At the core of the inquiry was: why these breeders registered fewer dogs in 2009; was it a result of the recession? Could there be competition from other breeders? Was interest in purebred dogs waning?

ABOUT JOE MAURO

Joe Mauro has been part of the companion animal industry for 17 years; the last six as CEO of Canada’s largest dog registry – the Canadian Kennel Club. Joe worked his way through the ranks of the CKC, starting his career as a special assistant to the CEO, progressing on to Operations Manager, Marketing Manager, and Director of Operations before becoming the ‘top dog’.

Prior to joining the companion animal industry, Joe spent time in politics and fundraising; he has over 21 years in non-profit management. A creative thinker, Joe is tasked with expanding the scope of the CKC and ensuring it is relevant in a collaborative environment within a changing industry. Joe holds an Honours degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo and a Business Admin degree from Brock University.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part IV

2010-10-04T09:26:00.000-06:00

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies

Presents an Amazing Line up of Speakers
Moderated by an Amazing Facilitator:
Karen Dawson

With a lifetime of experience that includes everything from cocktail waitress to physics teacher ... and now pursuing a PhD program researching organizational effectiveness and change-making as a relational phenomenon, Karen Dawson is well qualified to lead The Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in executive level discussions on the topic of homing animals.

Karen's role as moderator is to support Summit participants as they engage in conversations to develop strategies focused on the many challenges relating to homing animals faced by the various sectors of the companion animal industry.

ABOUT KAREN DAWSON

Karen Dawson. MA, B.Ed is an executive coach and leadership development facilitator who owns and operates Create Now Inc. She challenges and supports clients to lead creatively – and have fun doing so. Karen invites conversations that help people get unstuck and moving forward on things that matter.

Karen’s background is varied; some might say odd. Grounded in theatre training as a performer and director, with seven years experience as a flying instructor with the Canadian Military cadet program, Karen has been a cocktail waitress, jail matron, physics teacher, university faculty and executive coach. Her graduate studies focus on leadership and its development – she is currently in the middle of a PhD program researching organizational effectiveness and change making as a relational phenomenon.

Karen enjoys running half-marathons (very slowly), reading fiction, playing with improvisation and its applications to organizational life, and parenting two feisty, delightful young adults.

Email Karen Dawson or call 403.541.1477.

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Want to know more about the Summit For Urban Animal Strategies? Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Series Part III

2010-09-30T08:00:00.009-06:00

The International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

Homing Practices in Calgary
Speaker: Patricia Cameron

The Calgary Humane Society has two homing goals:

1) Ending euthanasias based on time and space constraints, and
2) Finding responsible homes for all adoptable animals in the City of Calgary.

This presentation briefly reviews the development of the Calgary Humane Society’s homing philosophies and approaches, then discusses the important role collaborations play in the success of homing efforts, and then outlines some recent innovations in homing practices that have increased the number of animals adopted.
ABOUT PATRICIA CAMERON
Patricia Cameron is Executive Director of the Calgary Humane Society (CHS), the largest animal welfare organization in Southern Alberta. She comes to CHS with a background of more than 17 years in post-secondary education in communications and in human resources, including labour relations and consulting.

Contact Patricia Cameron
Executive Director
Calgary Humane Society

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.
Learn more about the International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

PetLynx and Partners Launch HomeSafe™ Canada Initiative

2010-09-29T22:30:00.000-06:00

The "official" launch date is March 2011 ... but we are so excited we can't wait to tell you about the new HomeSafe RDOG and RCAT initiatives! This innovative new program is a result of months of collaborative effort between:

Although each of these companies represent a different sector of the companion animal industry, when it comes to our animal companions, we all share a common goal ...

Bring them home. Safe.

An important part of being a responsible pet parent is making sure everyone stays safe. The most reliable way to ensure that your dog or cat stays safe is the HomeSafe Canada initiative. This innovative, high-tech recovery service is powered by PetLynx to connect the owners of lost pets with the people who find them.

• National One Click/One Call Recovery Centre is a collaboration between PetLynx and HomeSafe Canada allies, each a leader in the pet industry.

• You are connected safely and securely with pet recovery organizations in your neighbourhood and across the country.

• By registering a physical description together with licensing, tattoo or microchip information, you’ll receive immediate assistance when your pet is found.

• Registering with HomeSafe Canada means your pet is back home, safe and sound, faster than ever before.

In 2011, HomeSafe Canada will also be embarking on a Canada-wide public awareness campaign called 'Year of the Cat.' The purpose of this campaign will be to educate Canadians about the nationwide severity of the cat over population problem in North America and dispel common myths about cats -- the most misunderstood, yet popular, of all domestic species.

Subscribe to this blog (above right) for updates on the HomeSafe RDOG and RCAT programs and the Year of the Cat initiative!

Protect your pet and your peace-of-mind by registering today with Canada’s largest recovery database, HomeSafe Canada, and bring them home.

For more information visit HomeSafeRDOG.com today.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part II

2010-09-29T08:00:00.007-06:00

International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies
Presents:

Retail Adoption Centres Collaborating with Animal Welfare

Speaker: Kit Jenkins, PetSmart Charities

Instead of selling cats and dogs, PetSmart, Inc. partners with PetSmart Charities and local animal agencies to promote adoption of homeless pets through in-store adoption opportunities and community adoption events.

Adoption Partner agencies represent many philosophies and include private shelters, foster-based networks, breed- and species-specific organizations, and municipal shelters. The program has been in place in the US since 1992, with over 425,000 American adoptions to date.
Since 2004, the successful partnership between PetSmart Charities of Canada, 68 Canadian PetSmart stores, and 117 Canadian adoption agencies over 110,000 cats, dogs, rabbits, and other homeless pets have been placed in lifelong, loving homes. Today’s session will include a program overview, benefits to each party, and challenges from all perspectives: PetSmart store, PetSmart Charities of Canada, local Adoption Partner agency, public, and animal.

ABOUT KIT JENKINS:

Kit Jenkins is Programs Manager for PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada. She worked for over 25 years in the animal sheltering world, focusing on animal behavior (in the shelter and in the home), education for all ages, and peer training. She is internationally known for her training, counseling, and writing abilities regarding shelter-related issues and program development. In her current position, Kit continues to work with animal welfare people every day, coaching and supporting them as they work to strengthen their organizations.

Contact Kit Jenkins
Programs Manager
PetSmart Charities

www.petsmartcharities.org

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the agenda.

Learn more about the International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies. Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!

2010-09-28T09:41:00.000-06:00

PetLynx Corporation's Industry Partners ....

Iams and the Canadian Kennel Club Kick-Off Third Annual Rdog Week

TORONTO /CNW/ - The day goes to the dogs as Iams, in support of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), celebrates Rdogs - Responsible Dog Owner Groups - across the country. Starting September 27, dog owners from coast-to-coast are invited to discover the joys and responsibilities of being a pet parent during the week long campaign aimed at educating Canadians on being responsible dog owners and raising awareness about the role canine companions play in our communities.
"It is important to teach both pet owners and non-pet owners alike how to interact with dogs of different breeds, sizes and ages in order to keep our neighbourhoods safe," said Sonny Allinson, Manager of Marketing and Communications, CKC. "A part of responsible dog ownership means
ensuring your dog is a welcomed and trusted member of your community."

Rdog events will be popping up all over the country to educate Canadians on issues related to their four-legged family members - topics range from nutrition and exercise, to lifestyle and finances. Rdog week concludes on Saturday, October 2, 2010 with the third annual Rdog walk.

"Iams is proud to support the CKC Rdog initiative," said Joyce Law, External Relations Manager, Iams Canada. "Providing a high quality premium food is just one of the many elements associated with being a responsible pet parent."

Toronto Rdog Walk

Torontonians are invited to celebrate Rdogs at Sunnyside Park on Saturday, October 2(nd). Events start at 10:00am and include Iams Nutrition station, Canine Good Neighbour testing, CKC Canadian
Living Legends station, and free goodies for participants and their pooches.

For more information about your local Rdog Week events, including a walk in your area, visit www.ckc.ca.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part 1

2010-09-28T08:00:00.024-06:00

The International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

2010 National Survey on Retail Puppy Sales

There have been numerous media reports about the sale of puppies in stores. Questions about sources and care practices are frequently brought up. Subjective facts and figures have resulted in wide spread misinformation.

To help develop a clearer picture of how the retail model functions PIJAC Canada conducted the 2010 National Survey on Retail Puppy Sales as a way for stores to share their methods of operation. PIJAC Canada's Susan Dankert's presentation of the survey results will offer an insightful look into the sale and care of puppies in pet shops around Canada. This talk will offer data on topics such as, average number of cages, sales, sourcing, care and warranties.

ABOUT SUSAN DANKERT:

Susan Dankert began her career in the pet industry in 2001 as the Communications Coordinator for the Ottawa Humane Society. It was there that she discovered what it means to truly care for animals and the positive impact pets can have in a community. In 2002, Susan joined the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) as the Education Coordinator. During that time she was in charge of running the animal husbandry and care programs offered by the association. She facilitated the education of thousands of industry professionals such as, retail store employees, law enforcement, shelter workers, veterinary staff and animal care providers.

In 2007 Susan redirected her energy solely towards communications for the association. With a background in broadcasting, she has a drive to share the story of the pet industry with media, legislators, pet owners and all pet organizations. Susan is currently working to collect resources and statistics on the business side of the pet industry in Canada and abroad. This research is being used to build a network of information that will be available to all pet sectors. Susan believes education is the best way to improve how the pet industry functions and therefore enhance the well-being of pets.

Contact Susan Dankert, PIJAC Canada

For information on other Summit speakers and topics, check the the latest agenda.

Want to know more about the Intentional Summit For Urban Animal Strategies? Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Announcing the 2010 National Urban Animal Survey

2010-09-26T08:00:00.002-06:00

PetLynx Corporation established the National Urban Animal Survey (NUAS) in 2007 to fill the void we perceived for an evidence-based approach to decision making in the companion animal industry. In 2010, we are once again moving to change the paradigm for information and intelligence in this industry.

PetLynx is pleased to announce that Socialstruct Advisory Group has been contracted to assist us to develop the next generation of Market Services and Intelligence tools for this industry. Using the largest pool of subscribers and working with our industry partners we will prepare a National Urban Animal Report each November.

This national summary will be made available to alumni/associates of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies as a component of their annual subscription. The report will also be available to the members in good standing of each contributing organization (as outlined below) as a component of their member benefits program.

In 2010, the NUAS will feature information from:

the Edmonton Municipal Report,
the PIJAC National Puppy Report,
the CKC National Breeder Report,
the OVMA 2010 Ontario Pet Owner Report and
data mined from PetLynx databases by Socialstruct.

We believe this new approach will provide better information to a broader cross-section of the industry and add value to the relationships you have in this industry.

We invite you to contact one of these organizations to obtain your copy of the 2010 report when it is released later this year:

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) 1-800-667-7452
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) 613-236-1162
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) 416-675-5511
Canadian Cat Association (CCA) 905-232-3481
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) 1-888-678-CFHS (2347)

For updates on the NUAS be sure to follow our blog.

Larry R. Evans
President and CEO

PetLynx Corporation

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

The Dog is Fine ... But Beware of the Driver!

2010-09-23T15:23:00.000-06:00

At PetLynx, our goal is to help get (and keep) pets HomeSafe ... and we were surprised to learn that a recent study revealed that 2/3 of dog owners admit to engaging in distracting activities with their dogs while driving!

Dogs are wonderful companions and can be fun to bring along for a car ride. However, this can mean added distractions for the driver. A recent survey conducted by the American Auto Association (AAA) asked dog owners how often they drive with their dog and about their habits behind the wheel.

The survey found that drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride.

31% of respondents admit to being distracted by their dog while driving
59% have participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog
55% pet their dog while driving
21% allowed their dog to sit in their lap

Other distracting behaviors drivers admitted to include: giving food and water to their dog (seven percent) and playing with their dog (five percent). These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.

Unrestrained dogs are dangerous to the driver, passengers and man's best friend.

An overwhelming 80 percent of respondents stated that they have driven with their pets on a variety of car trips including day trips, local errands and leisure trips, the pet store, dog parks and to work. However, only 17 percent use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog. Use of a

pet restraint system, such as specially design pet seat belts or crates, can aid in limiting distractions and help protect your pet.

"Restraining your pet when driving can not only help protect your pet, but you and other passengers in your vehicle as well," cautioned Beth Mosher, AAA Director of Public Affairs. "An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained

80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure. Imagine the devastation that can cause to your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path."

There are a variety of reasonably priced products available to help dog owners reduce distractions their pets might cause while driving while keeping them safe. There have been many recent innovations in this market from Kurgo and others to make these products more comfortable for the dog and convenient to use for the owner. AAA recommends owners utilize a restraint system anytime they are driving with their pet.

Pet restraint products, such as those from Kurgo, are available at local pet stores nationwide. To find a dealer near you, visit Kurgo.com.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

IT'S TIME ... for the 2010 Summit Awards!

2010-09-16T11:30:00.000-06:00

Take advantage of this special offer and join us at the

Summit Awards Gala

When: Friday, 15 October 2010 at 18:30 hrs

Where: Victoria Ballroom ~ Chateau Lake Louise

=======================================

Package Includes:

Awards Night Gala Dinner

Entertainment Featuring Dale Downing...

With the comedy and magic that have made him world famous

Accommodation in a Fairmont Level Room

Executive Breakfast with Key Note Speaker: Mike Dover

Author of WikiBrands - Reinventing your Business in a Customer-Driven Marketplace

Click Here to see the Book

=======================================

Register now:

Single Occupancy - $279 CDN + tax

Double Occupancy - $349 CDN + tax

www.tsuas.com or call Lisa (403.219.1088/403.809.4630)

=======================================
Click here to learn more about the
International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies

The Summit Story: Celebrating Five Years of Achievement Part 2

2010-09-16T08:00:00.001-06:00

Looking at the companion animal industry from a collaborative point-of-view

Since the first Summit in 2006,...

the name has changed;
the number of delegates in attendance each year continues to grow;
and corporate support and sponsorship has dramatically increased.

What hasn’t changed is the original purpose of International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies: to work together to advance strategies that will create healthy communities for pets and people.

Louis McCann, Executive Director, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) Canada, is a Summit Alumnus. In his opinion, the event’s focus on industry collaboration has been a catalyst for positive change. He is grateful that the ISUAS includes every sector of the companion animal industry -- veterinarians, retailers, animal shelters, bylaw enforcement, breeders and more.

“In four years the ISUAS has achieved what many people have been wishing would happen for the last 20 years,” explains McCann. “This initiative has brought the companion animal industry together to address topics that concern all parties and provides an open forum for discussion and, hopefully, resolution of some of these issues.

“We are encouraged to speak our minds and engage in honest discussion about a variety of topics … some nice … some not so nice,” adds McCann. “But you feel confidant that you can address these issues without bias, find mutual understanding, then move forward for the betterment of the industry and the community.”

McCann feels that the Summit has been instrumental in helping to create a more positive perception of pet retailers and PIJAC Canada, recognizing that they too have an important role to play in our communities. Opening the lines of communication for his industry has opened many doors of opportunity and the future for the companion animal industry as a whole has never looked better.

October 13 - 16, 2010, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies turns the focus on homing animals in our communities. Join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies. Register now.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Uncovering the Truth About Animal Hoarding

2010-09-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

You’ve probably seen photos of hoarders living with dozens of animals, overwhelmed by filth and their own inaction. Is it animal cruelty or mental illness? Learn more about animal hoarding, a complex social issue that encompasses mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.

A Sad Case in New York City
Earlier this year, the American SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrived at a New York City apartment to find that dozens of cats and kittens had overtaken the small space. The cats were severely malnourished, and many suffered from upper respiratory disease. There were no litter boxes, and the floor was covered in several inches of feces and urine. Living among the filth and debris was an 85-year-old woman suffering from dementia—she had been hoarding animals for years.

Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate social issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns. Victims can include cats, dogs, reptiles, rodents, birds, exotics and even farm animals. While it’s not clear why people become animal hoarders, current research suggests the cause is often attachment disorder in conjunction with personality disorders, paranoia, dementia, depression and other mental illness. The hoarder does not intend to inflict harm on animals, and in most cases, the hoarder can no longer take care of himself, much less multiple animals.

"We often see that animal hoarders have experienced some traumatic event or loss in their lives," says Fiona Knight, Cruelty Intervention Advocacy Manager at the ASPCA. “Usually, they are very lonely and isolated people—and the animals become their primary source of bonding and interaction.”

While the ASPCA does pursue cruelty charges when appropriate, in many cases, prosecution is not the answer. Not only are such cases difficult to successfully prosecute, but once released, hoarders are overwhelmingly likely to resume collecting excessive numbers of animals. The solution lies in supplying hoarders with the resources and tools they need to keep them from repeating their destructive patterns.

“As a clinical social worker, it is my job to go in and work with the hoarders. Not only do I educate them on the problems caused by having so many animals, but I also connect them with appropriate services,” says Knight. “Whether individuals need a therapist who specializes in hoarding, a cleaning service or the assistance of adult protective services, we provide the resources. Our first priority is to remove the animals and provide them with immediate treatment, but our job doesn’t end there.”

For more information about animal hoarding, please visit the ASPCA Animal Hoarding resources online or the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

September is National Pet Health Insurance Month

2010-09-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

At PetLynx we love to share good news from our industry partners. Here's some exciting news about a great contest from the good folks at Petsecure!

September is National Pet Health Insurance Month and Petsecure wants to remind all pet parents about the importance of insuring their animal companions.

Did you know that in Canada, over 50% of households have pets ... but only 1% of them are insured!

Pet insurance is a valuable way of ensuring you can provide your pet with the best possible care, without having to worry about the cost.

To help spread the message, Petsecure pet insurance is offering a contest throughout veterinary clinics across Canada and on our website, giving pet parents the opportunity to win big!

Fill out a Petsecure ballot at participating clinics or online at www.petsecure.com and enter to win a grand prize valued at over $4,000! Grand Prize includes:

one year coverage with Petsecure
a 40” Sony LCD TV
a one year supply of pet food
an iPod nano
a one year subscription to moderndog magazine
and much more!

Second and third prizes include: an Apple iPad and an iPod Touch!

Contest ends: September 30, 2010. Enter today!

For more information about pet insurance, visit: www.petsecure.com

Thank you to all participating sponsors - Purina, PetLynx, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Dogs in Canada magazine, Modern Dog magazine, Fetch & Pounce, the Farley Foundation, the Canadian Kennel Club and London Drugs.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Important Deadline for the 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies

2010-09-10T14:46:00.000-06:00

DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE to contribute to the National Codes of Conduct for animal breeders, retailers, welfare organizations and service providers at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) 13th - 16th October 2010, at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta.

We must have your registration/nomination by Friday, 17 September.

Click here to register now.

Six reasons why you should not miss this event:

Industry Intelligence

a. Edmonton presents its survey and go forward plan for Animal Services

b. PIJAC presents the 2010 National Survey on Retail Puppy Sales

c. CKC presents the 2010 Canadian Breeder Survey

d. Socialstruct presents the 2010 Homing Summary

Business Cases

a. PetSmart Charities of Canada presents its adoption center model

b. PIJAC & Petland present responsible retailing model

c. CKC presents the responsible breeder model

d. Calgary Humane presents Homing Pets in Calgary

e. OSPCA presents high volume spay/neuter

National Standards

a. PetLynx presents a model for voluntary compliance

b. National Companion Animal Coalition presents a framework for National Codes of Conduct

Mike Dover with a return engagement key note. In 2008 he brought us "Wikinomics - How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything". In 2010 he returns to bring us "WikiBrands - Reinventing your Business in a Customer Driven Market Place"

2010 Summit Awards recognize the best in 12 industry categories.

2010 ISUAS Entertainer Dale Downing brings us the illusions and magic he has made famous in a career spanning four continents and 30 years.

Click here to review the agenda.

We believe the 2010 Summit will be a watershed moment in the history of our industry.

Contact Judi Cannon to complete your arrangements.

Judi Cannon
Summits for Urban Animal Strategies
705.930.7387
event@tsuas.com

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

The Summit Story: Celebrating Five Years of Achievement

2010-09-07T21:07:00.001-06:00

A need for community collaboration was the driving force for this event

Every journey starts with a single step … and when Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation, stepped forward to open the lines of communication amongst all sectors of the companion animal industry, people noticed!

Evans and his team at PetLynx established a long-term goal to set the industry on a course of collaboration, in effort to to create and sustain a healthy community for pets and people. This was achieved by organizing an event that would – for the first time in history – bring representatives from ‘competing’ industries into one room, to work together for a common goal.

Today, as the 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies draws near, we invite you to take a look back to reflect on how this important event has evolved and continues to foster collaboration and communication amongst all sectors of the companion animal industry.

“At the first Summit – called the 2006 Banff Care in the Community Summit – the 50 delegates, session leaders and sponsor representatives who were in attendance clearly indicated that they required clarity of thought on how to manage urban animals,” explains Evans. "The overriding consensus was that a lack of reliable statistics and information was hampering municipal leaders and legislators in their efforts to develop effective urban animal strategies. Clearly, there was much work to be done and participants went back to their respective communities with a renewed sense of hope.”

“I was privileged to be one of the delegates at the inaugural Summit,” explains retired City of Calgary Animal Service Manager, Jerry Aschenbrenner. “Having worked in this industry for more than 15 years, I had personally shared in the struggle. Getting all of these people in one room together was an extraordinary achievement! It helped us recognize that all sectors of the companion animal industry were working in isolation … without realizing that 85 per cent of the challenges that each of us were facing were shared concerns. Bringing everyone together opened the doors to all kinds of new opportunities … and the doors keep opening wider!

“I am thrilled to see that what started out as Larry Evan's vision – to pull together ‘industry thought leaders’ from across North America – has consistently grown to reflect the solid and progressing thinking of various people. With each successive year there is greater strength to the initiative,” concludes Aschenbrenner.

This year, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, Wednesday, 13 October to Saturday, 16 October 2010 turns the focus on homing animals in our communities.

Join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies. Register now.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Registered Entities on PetLynx System Surpass 500,000

2010-09-06T08:00:00.003-06:00

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to report August production numbers and several new benchmarks for the PetLynx Automated National Recovery System in Canada.

• Registered entities rose to 515,069, made up of 251,634 pets and 263,435 associates
• The system handled 4,723 automated recovery episodes, bringing the system total to 171,942
• Page views were 1,276,941, setting a new benchmark
• Web hits were 3,986,293, setting a new benchmark
• The system automatically supported 11,891 sites and 31,764 log-ins

During August, the PetLynx production system began to see increased activity associated with the Canadian Kennel Club as a PetLynx Recovery Subscription was added to registered dogs. Approximately 59,000 of the 69,749 new animal registrations in August were from this program.

During the first eight months of 2010, the PetLynx production system registered 202,159 entities which is 39.2% of the entities registered on the system in total.

Management expects the subscription and registry aspects of the business to accelerate as the HomeSafe program hits the market later this year.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

PetLynx 101: How do I reduce the administrative workload of my lost and found department?

2010-09-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

Need help? Call PetLynx!

The PetLynx AnimalTRACS system was designed to help make life easier for our Authorized Service Providers (ASCs) .... as well as get more pets HomeSafe!

Here are some simple things you can do to make PetLynx work for you:

The system requires pet families to to post and monitor their own PetLynx lost reports. Encourage them to do so!
Change your phone messages to instruct callers to go to your website or http://www.petlynx.net/ to post a lost or found report. This reduces the need for pet families to talk directly with your staff
Promote and reinforce the above message in your community by communicating to your stakeholders the benefits of your recovery system powered by PetLynx.
Create promotional or communications programs to increase PetLynx Lifetime Subscription pet registrations in your area and create a new revenue stream for your organization.

For more information complete this form.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 4

2010-08-31T08:00:00.010-06:00

On 13 October 2010, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will turn attention to strategies and codes of conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities.

Passions run deep when the industry talks about homing. Who is the real target as the companion animal industry tries to clean up homing issues?

Discussion of this topic produces questions:

• Why are retailers and breeders so often the target?

• Can industry work together to control demand through education and community expectations?

• Why don’t breeders have a better relationship with retailers?

• How do the vast number of animals being homed come into our communities every year?

• How can the industry target sub-standard animals/breeders who access their clients via the Internet?

To read about and comment on the role of pet retailers and animal welfare organizations in relation to animal homing, scroll down to blog posts Parts 2 and 3 below.

To read about and comment on the role of breeders in relation to animal homing, read the blog post for August 20 ... click here.

Join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Your opinion matters! Register now. Keep informed of Summit events and deadlines on our Summit blog.

Provide your comments to this discussion below.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 3

2010-08-29T08:00:00.001-06:00

On 13 October 2010, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will turn attention to strategies and codes of conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities.

Animal welfare organizations believe that spay/neuter programs are an important part of controlling overpopulation.

Discussion about high volume spay/neuter programs has produced questions:

• Are health care providers overcharging for spay/neuter procedures?

• Who should pay for high volume spay/neuter programs?

• Can spay/neuter programs support lifetime relationships with community health care providers?

• Can industry adopt a code of conduct that provides for all non-breeder animals to be sterilized?

• Do high volume spay/neuter programs take clients away from veterinarians in the community?

To read about and comment on the role of pet retailers in relation to animal homing, scroll down to Part 2 below.

To read about and comment on the role of breeders in relation to animal homing, check the blog post for August 20. Click here.

For thought provoking questions that affect the companion animal industry as a whole, watch for Part 4 of this series to post on August 31.

Join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Your opinion matters! Register now. Keep informed of Summit events and deadlines on our Summit blog.

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 2

2010-08-27T08:00:00.002-06:00

On 13 October 2010, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will turn attention to strategies and codes of conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities.

Retailers believe they have the right to sell companion animals at prices the market will bear.

Discussions about retailers and their practices has produced questions:

· Who is buying that little doggy in the window?

· Can retailers become partners in adoption for the animal welfare sector?

· What codes of conduct and attributes identify a responsible retailer?

· Is adoption a better model for homing animals from retailers than sale?

· Should retailers be allowed to sell unaltered animals?

· Who enforces the codes of conduct for retailer compliance?

For thought-provoking questions about animal breeders and the homing issue click here.

For more dialogue on this topic, watch for Parts 3 and 4 of this series to post on August 29 and 31.

Join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Your opinion matters! Register now. Keep informed of Summit events and deadlines on our Summit blog.

Provide your comments to this discussion below.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Celebrate the Achievements of Your Peers

2010-08-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

The Awards Committee for the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies have received many requests to extend the award nomination deadline. The new cut off date for submissions is 4pm MST Wednesday September 8, 2010.

The Summit Awards are presented annually to individuals, organizations, and communities that have achieved the recognition of their peers for proficiency or achievement in the award area.

It is the only awards ceremony in Canada to recognize excellence within all four sectors of the companion animal industry [Animal Control & Enforcement, Animal Welfare, Animal Services and Animal Health & Wellness].

The Summit Award criteria have been refined and new categories added - full category descriptions are available on the ISUAS website. Review them and nominate a deserving peer in your community. The procedure is simple and online.

Reminder: The deadline for delegate registration is Friday, September 17th.

Watch for new developments on our Summit Blog.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor