Regional Summits 13-19 April 2011

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' ...

CareerBuilder Survey Looks at Pet Owners and Career Paths

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

Petsecure Pet Insurance's 'FURther the Fight' Campaign

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.

Happy, Healthy Cat Photo Contest!

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

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part XIII

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 VII

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:

Uncovering the Truth About Animal Hoarding

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.

Dramatic Increase in Animal Surrenders

Think about how animals have been affected by the Gulf Oil Disaster and chances are good that the first images that come to your mind will be oil-soaked pelicans and turtles ... not the pleading eyes of forlorn dogs and cats languishing in animal shelters.

According to a recent news segment on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, hundreds of family pets now face an uncertain future because their guardians are no longer able to care for them. Many who have become unemployed have little hope of things changing for them anytime soon. Sadly, they are forced to choose between feeding their families and providing for their companion animals.

Pierce Brosnan Supports California Spay/Neuter Program

At PetLynx Corporation we love to learn about and share examples of collaboration. Here's a neat story of how one celebrity is supporting spaying and neutering in his community. Let us know if your organization is doing something out of the ordinary and we may share it on our blogs!

Perhaps best known for his role as James Bond, Pierce Brosnan is also making a name for himself as an activist and artist. The many organizations Brosnan supports include various environmental, animal and child welfare, and women's health initiatives.

In one of his latest endeavors, Brosnan has put his signature on a new initiative designed to provide funding for low or no-cost spaying and neutering of dogs and cats in California.

The Perks of PetLynx for Pet Families

Whether they operate as part of a municipality or are non-profit agencies, animal shelters are busy places! While it can be a challenge, it is important that adoption staff and volunteers using PetLynx take a few minutes to explain the "perks" of registration that is part of the pet adoption package given to each new pet family.

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.

Procter & Gamble Voluntarily Recalls Canned Cat Food

CINCINNATI, June 9, 2010 – The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) today announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as a precautionary measure. Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency.

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month

Our friends at Best Friends Animal Society have adopted a new motto that puts a new spin on a popular old saying:

Live, Love, Meow!

PetLynx salutes all animal shelters and animal services agencies across North America who work diligently to find forever homes for the cats in their care. Are your staff and volunteers doing something extra-special to promote cat adoptions this month? Share your news with us, so that we can share it with others! Comment below or send us an email today!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Six Packs/Nine Lives 2012 Calendar Campaign

In 2010 the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies turns the focus on homing animals in our communities.

We all know that community collaboration, creativity and commitment are all needed to increase adoptions from animal shelters world wide... and this week we applaud the efforts of Found Animals Foundation in California for taking a truly unique approach to creating awareness, boosting animal adoptions and saving lives of shelter cats nationwide.

Found Animals, in cooperation with award winning celebrity/fashion photographer Adam Bouska and Brown Trout Publishers will hold an open casting call on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 to find 12 handsome men and their pet cats for a global companion cat campaign and 2012 calendar entitled “6 Packs/9 Lives.” 

The open auditions will be held on Saturday, June 5th in Downey, California at the South East Area Animal Control Authority, which is home to the Found Animals kitty adoption annex, “The ModPawd.” The auditions are open to all men who have a pet cat as well as what it takes to appear in the calendar.  All contestants must be prepared to prove that their cuddly kitty truly belongs to them. The casting will feature a panel of celebrity judges to choose the winners. Each of the 36 male finalists, who will be selected earlier that day, will walk a catwalk and answer questions for the judges in the afternoon. The judges will rate each contestant, scores will be tallied and winners will be announced after all finalists have appeared.
 
All proceeds from the calendar will be used to improve the lives of shelter animals and support various initiatives including spay and neuter services, microchip programs and adoption of shelter animals and homeless cats and dogs globally.

To learn more about the “6 Packs/9 Lives” Calendar Campaign or Found Animals, please contact Michael Gilman at (310) 574-5792 or e-mail michael@foundanimals.org.
 
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

CNN.com Living is Looking for Pampered Pet Photos

Each week CNN.com Living invites people to share images on one of three topics - design, fashion and pets. This week, it's all about pets that live pampered lives.

Do you know any pet owners who care for their furry ones like they're members of the family? Like the two lazy loafers pictured here, who live with one of our PetLynx team members?

CNN.com Living is looking for over-the-top ways people pamper their pets -- from matching person-pet outfits to elaborate birthday parties. Show them your fancy carriers, pet jewelry, intricate pet furniture and homemade pet meals or treats. They are looking for images beyond dressed-up pets  that celebrate the human-animal bond.

Do you have some photos you wold like to share?

Click here for more information.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Top 10 Dog and Cat Medical Conditions of 2009

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), receives more than a million claims annually for treatment of cats and dogs. This data reveals that just like people, many dogs and cats receive treatment for non-emergency as well as ongoing disorders:




A few of the top 10 dog and cat conditions can be associated with an animal's natural aging process. However, many of the top 10 conditions can occur in any pet. No matter the age or breed, whether it be an indoor or an outdoor dog or cat, pet owners should familiarize themselves with their pets' daily routine in order to identify abnormal behaviors that might indicate an injury or illness. In addition, regular semi-annual physical exams can help prevent and identify certain conditions before they become serious or costly.



Top 10 Dog Conditions

1. Ear Infection
2. Skin Allergy
3. Skin Infection/Hot Spots
4. Gastritis/Vomiting
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea
6. Bladder Infection
7. Arthritis
8. Soft Tissue Trauma
9. Non-cancerous Tumor
10. Eye Infection

Top 10 Cat Conditions

1. Lower Urinary Tract Disease
2. Gastritis/Vomiting
3. Chronic Renal Failure
4. Hyperthyroidism
5. Diabetes
6. Enteritis/Diarrhea
7. Skin Allergy
8. Dental Disease
9. Ear Infection
10. Eye Infection

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Top 10 Pet Names for 2009

"Bella" Beats Out "Max" for Top Dog Name For six years in a row, Max ruled the top spot. But in an upset that is sure to have dog owners talking, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, has declared Bella the most popular dog name of 2009. VPI crunched the numbers on its more than 475,000 insured pets to determine this year’s most common names, and Bella beat out Max by more than 400 dogs. Fans of Max, however, can rest assured that for cats, that name is still top dog – er, top cat. “I was shocked to see Max bumped from No. 1!” said Curtis Steinhoff, senior director of corporate communications for VPI. “Max has been the most popular dog name for so long, I didn’t think anything would take him down. I can only wonder if Max’s dethroning has something to do with Bella being the name of the heroine in a certain vampire book/film series that’s pretty popular these days.” Not all the pet names in VPI’s database are as trendy as Bella and Max. Thousands of VPI policyholders have bestowed names upon their animals not shared by any other pet on record. Check out some of the more “creative” monikers selected for VPI’s Top 10 Most Unusual Pet Names of 2009. TOP 10 DOG NAMES

1. Bella
2. Max
3. Bailey
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Chloe
10. Sophie

TOP 10 CAT NAMES

1. Max
2. Chloe
3. Bella
4. Oliver
5. Tiger
6. Smokey
7. Tigger
8. Lucy
9. Shadow
10. Angel

Coping with Cold Viruses in Shelter Cats

New research reveals that simple changes in shelter housing may inhibit the spread of feline upper respiratory infection (URI)--and save the lives of cats. This infection, which is similar to the common cold in humans, is cited among the top reasons for euthanasia of cats in shelters. Research funded by Morris Animal Foundation's Happy Healthy Cat Campaign suggests that stressful conditions dramatically increase the likelihood of infection. Fortunately, housing modifications reduce stress and decrease the spread of infection--making the difference between life and death for a shelter cat. With Morris Animal Foundation funding, Dr. Kate Hurley, the director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California-Davis, is assessing disease incidence, cage layout and sanitation methods to determine how shelter housing affects stress and stress-related illnesses. Her research shows that prevalence of feline URI varies wildly across the country--with anywhere from 5 percent to 60 percent of shelter cats getting sick. Environmental risk factors explain some of the variation, and so far, shelters with the lowest URI rates seem to be those with high-quality housing for cats. "Our hope is that we will find something that not only helps cats stay healthy but also helps them get out of shelters alive," Hurley says. Learn more about the research and the symptoms of URI. Source: PR Newswire

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."

The Perks of PetLynx (For Pet Families)

Whether they operate as part of a municipality or are non-profit agencies, animal shelters are busy places! While it can be a challenge, it is important that adoption staff and volunteers using PetLynx take a few minutes to explain the "perks" of registration that is part of the pet adoption package given to each new pet family. What's in for me, you might ask? When pet guardians regularly update their PetLynx profile they help animal service providers (that's you!) get lost pets HomeSafe faster! With the PetLynx DataSketch system, lost and found matches can be made using only a physical description. With the quick and easy AutoMatch recovery system, fewer animals are brought to animal shelters... saving valuable time, resources and, ultimately, lives. Benefits of PetLynx for pet families:

• Instant access to pet's ID and medical records 24/7.

• In an emergency, veterinarians, shelter workers and animal control personnel have access to information 24/7.

• Lifetime access to National Automated Pet Recovery Service, should the animal become lost. Includes ability to quickly and easily create and print "Lost Pet" posters.

• DataSketchTM and AutoMatchTM combine to enable real time automated matching of lost and found pets, with or without ID, to help get pets HomeSafeTM!

Pet families should be advised to:

• Upload a new photo of the pet immediately. Update at least annually.

• Update contact info immediately, whenever anything changes. No fee for updating or changing information.

• Double-check pet(s) listing(s) at least once a year, ideally when dog/cat licenses are renewed or when the pet has an annual physical.

• Update medical information. This is especially important as your pet ages or if there has been a change in medication or treatment protocols.

• Update the profile if there has been radical change in your pet's description. (Such as shaving, spaying or neutering.)

Want to know more? Check out our Q & A section. Not a service provider? Want to register your pet with PetLynx? Pre-register your pet for one low lifetime fee