Summer weather welcomed and a family atmosphere prevailed as new delegates mingled with exisiting alumni and associates of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies at the third annual Central Region Summit on Wednesday, 21 May 2009. The 2009 event was co-sponsored by PetLynx Corporation, Procter & Gamble Total Petcare and Securican General Insurance.
The Westin Prince Hotel is set back from the noise and rush of York Mills Road on a 15 acre tract of parkland where trees and shubbery provide for a peaceful and decidely oriental environment. The oversized floral clock that greets visitors to this venue is large enough that one can see timing marching onward minute by minute. The North York conference room overlooks terraces that march down toward the valley allowing one to imagine a measured pace of life with an opportunity to think outside the box.
Against this backdrop, 29 thought leaders representing all four sectors discussed the business of the industry in a balanced and useful fashion. The 2008 Urban Animal Survey provided the foundation for a lively discussion of the metrics of the companion animal business in Canada and in each community during the morning session. This survey by Ipsos Canada and PetLynx Corporation is the most comprehensive survey of Canadian metrics undertaken in recent times. A lively discussion of these metrics ensued during the morning. Delegates were provided with a copy of the summary of the survey to support their activities.
Against this backdrop, 29 thought leaders representing all four sectors discussed the business of the industry in a balanced and useful fashion. The 2008 Urban Animal Survey provided the foundation for a lively discussion of the metrics of the companion animal business in Canada and in each community during the morning session. This survey by Ipsos Canada and PetLynx Corporation is the most comprehensive survey of Canadian metrics undertaken in recent times. A lively discussion of these metrics ensued during the morning. Delegates were provided with a copy of the summary of the survey to support their activities.
It was gratifying to observe relationships being formed and past associations moving forward toward common goals as the day progressed. Kate McDonald shared some of the new programs being introduced by OSPCA during the lunch break. Old friends like Don Mitten of AASAO and Sonny Allinson of the Canadian Kennel Club provided sage advice and experience. New friends like Dr. Jim Hysen, President of the OVMA, provided a prospective as a clinician and also as one of Canada's largest associations. Steve Carroll the CEO of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies contributed national perspectives from Ottawa. Keith Burgess, President of PIJAC Canada advanced input from the retail and community service providers that make up the membership. Other thought leaders from identification companies, nutrition companies, financial service companies, breeder groups, provincial and municipal government agencies, associations and those with subject matter expertise about cats filled the balance of the summit seats.
The afternoon session provided a useful environmental scan of the opportunities that a feline friendly community would deliver for cats. A number of items were forwarded to the National Summit in Banff for further scrutiny and discussion. One of the most interesting observations to come from this session was the comparison of present attitudes toward cats with that of public opinon related to dogs 20 years ago. The opportunities afforded a dog in today's canine friendly community have all but eliminated the issues which plagued many communities just two decades ago. Perhaps a review of the ways this was accomplished in communities that have achieved the greatest success would yield strategies that would be useful for cats.
The value of cats and the relationship between the price paid to acquire a cat and the perception of costs to intervene medically or to otherwise maintain a reasonable lifestyle for the animal developed into an interesting aspect of the afternoon discussion. Deborah Chalmers from the Toronto Feral Cat Project and others provided perspective on the development of expectations for feral cats as a component of a feline friendly community.
The 2009 Central Regional Summit was planned and delivered in collaboration with the City of Toronto, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and Hamilton Burlington SPCA.
The number of associates and alumni of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies in Central Region has now climbed to 55, the largest grouping in Canada. Delegates have been provided with a link to an automated survey which will assist organizers to improve the regional summit series. The 2010 Central Regional Summit is presently planned for the week of 19 April 2009.
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