Companion Animal Industry Rallies Together to Tackle Cat Overpopulation Crisis

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.

Concerned About Pet Overpopulation?

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 2101 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is on now!

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

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part II

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.

Bones of the Business: Tips for Working Smarter

A recent survey conducted in the United States by PetSmart Charities provided a wealth of useful information relating to why people do -- and do not -- spay or neuter their pets.

The biggest barriers were identified as lack of understanding as to why it is important and the right age to have the dog/cat sterilized. Interestingly, researchers found that adults age 34 and under needed the most education.

Bones of the Business: Tips for Working Smarter

A recent survey conducted in the United States by PetSmart Charities provided a wealth of useful information relating to why people do -- and do not -- adopt pets.

When it comes to pet adoptions, "Think positive!"

Prospective adopters are put off by negative messages about euthanasia. Instead of focusing on how many pets are euthanized because they don't have homes, focus on how adoption saves lives.

Understand what adopters want and tell them where to find it.

As animal welfare advocates, we love and value mixed breed dogs and cats. Recognize, however, that not everyone shares this passion for the "un-pedigreed." Many people want a specific breed of dog or cat.

• Help these potential adopters find the purebred (or close to it) in your facility
• Direct them to a breed rescue agency in your community
• Don't be disheartened that they don't want a mixed breed dog or cat. Thank them for visiting your facility and considering adoption.

"We hope animal welfare professionals will use these findings to create effective and motivating messages about pet adoptions programs," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive Director of PetSmart Charities Inc. "Having access to this information provides all of us with excellent insight into what people think and, most importantly, the type of information we can share that not only gets [the public's] attention but also inspires them to act."

Want to know more?

• Get the full details on PetSmart's research.
• View the latest issue of PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter.


•  Learn more with PetSmart's free webinars.

Used with permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Promoting Pet Adoptions in Your Community

Does it matter who adopts them.... or if they get adopted? Challenge: Your agency struggles to provide time, space and care for as many homeless pets as it can and competes for a limited number of potential adopters. Solution: Instead of competing, recognize the strengths of each organization in your community and work together. Remember, you are working on behalf of all animals in you community.... not just the ones in your care! You all work in the area of animal welfare... so why not work together!

• What parts of your mission do you have in common?
• What challenges do you all face?
• What programs do you duplicate?
• What resources can you share?

In 2010, make a point to think in terms of collaboration not isolation. Think "our animals" not "my animals." Adapted from "Bones of the Business" a regular feature in the PetSmart Charities quarterly newsletter. Used with permission from PetSmart.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Event

As a heartwarming start to the holiday season, it was great to hear that 16,933 pets found their lifelong, loving homes during the PetSmart Charities Holiday National Adoption Event, held in all 1,145 PetSmart stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, November 13-15. More than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies throughout the United States and Canada participated and presented adoptable pets at every PetSmart Charities in-store adoption center. The Canadian National Adoption Event was proudly sponsored by PetSmart. "It's an amazing way to kick off the holiday season," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. "During our four National Adoption Weekends in 2009, we have helped find homes for more than 66,000 pets." In the U.S. alone, an estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year, but 3 million to 4 million never find homes. During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for nearly 4 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, one pet's life is saved. "PetSmart Charities strives to raise awareness about the benefits of adopting rather than purchasing a pet," added Della Maddalena. "We are so happy to have exceeded our event goal and helped so many pets. We hope people will always consider adoption when they add a pet to their lives."

Bones of the Business

Tips for Working Smarter from PetSmart Challenge: PetSmart Charities has announced some changes to its grant structure. How will the adjusted application process impact your agency? Solution: Don’t panic! The PetSmart team is ready to answer questions and provide helpful resources. They have also prepared a 20-minute Webinar on their website that walks you through the challenges and the process.
 Here’s what you need to know:

• Emergency Relief grants and Canadian grants are not affected by these changes.
• Discard all old grant applications. (New application forms are on the web site.)
• Choose programs that focus on spay/neuter for free-roaming cats and targeted spay/neuter programs for cat owners.
• Start planning for next year’s funding deadline, which will be in early 2010.
• If you have a current grant with PetSmart Charities, you will need to wait until your current project is complete before applying for a new grant.
• Equipment grants for spay/neuter clinic have their own application process.

View the Fall 2009 issue of PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter for the complete story.

 Used by permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc. 
Learn more with free webinars.

Honouring Your Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of any nonprofit organization. Part of the joy that comes from working in animal welfare is getting know these hardworking and dedicated individuals who give so much of themselves to help companion animals. Even though animal welfare volunteers receive so much love and gratitude back from the animals they care for, they still appreciate receiving recognition from their peers. One way an organization can reward its volunteers is to nominate these individuals for the PetSmart Charities Lifesaving Volunteer Award. This is a special way to recognize volunteers who go above and beyond to help your agency fulfill its mission. Submit the story of one of your volunteer's amazing contribution to you agency and why he or she deserves the award. Submissions are accepted throughout the year, and winners are picked quarterly. Lifesaving volunteers are featured in the PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter with an article and photo. They will also earn their agency a one-time $500 award! To nominate a volunteer, please email: tspencer@PetSmartCharities.org Used by permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc. Learn more with free webinars at: www.petsmartcharities.org

Bones of the Business

Tips for Working Smarter Challenge: Your agency receives animals who might do better in a different environment or with different resources: more time, more space, some rehabilitation options (medical or behavioral) or different exposure for adoption. Solution: Instead of competing with other animal welfare agencies, recognize the strengths of each organization and work together for the homeless animals in your community by creating transfer relationships. Recognize program priorities In a transfer relationship, you must recognize that neither agency is the "villain" and neither is the "hero." The releasing agency and the receiving agency are equal partners. Considerations before entering a transfer partnership

• Can you commit consistent people-time for the program?
• Have you visited your partner agency to get a first-hand knowledge of conditions, philosophies and expectations?
• Are there seasonal considerations?

Build sound procedures to address logistics Write transparent procedures and requirements to clarify roles and responsibilities with WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW. View the Spring 2009 issue of PetSmart Charities Quarterly newsletter for the complete story. Used by permission from PetSmart Charities, Inc. Learn more with free webinars at: www.petsmartcharities.org