2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Gets Rave Reviews

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."

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

The 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Presents:

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

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

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.

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part XII

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

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.

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part VIII

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.

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:

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part VI

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.

Summit Speaker Synopsis Part V

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.

2010 Summit Speaker Series Part III

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. 

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.

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part 1

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.

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

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

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.

Important Deadline for the 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies

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:

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 4

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

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

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