Important 2011 Summit Announcement!

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 Rescues Human

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 and 

the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies 

Organizing Committee

 

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.

2011 Summit W5 ~ Focus on Animal Health

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

PetLynx Corporation passes the 1 Million registered entities mark

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

Companion Animal Industry Embraces Change

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.

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.

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

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.

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."

Talented Dogs Help this Video go Viral!

Social media was one of the topics of discussion at the 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. The keynote speaker for Saturday morning was Mike Dover, co-author of the book Wikibrands: Re-inventing your Company is a Customer Driven Marketplace and Managing Partner at Social Struct Advisory Group. Dover showed some superb examples of how social media has been used to promote a product or service and even settle disputes with service providers. (Much to the dismay of the companies portrayed in those videos!)

Perhaps the undisputed master of viral Web success is the band OK Go. The indie band is huge on the Internet. Their breakout viral video showed band members deftly swinging between running treadmills. Their latest video features a choreographed dance with dogs and is absolutely remarkable!! With more than 6.5 million views to date it is a 'viral video' you need to catch!

The reason for their online success? According to Ok Go's lead singer Damian Kulash, it's simple. "Mostly because we're awesome," he said with a laugh.

I think the amazing dogs  -- all of them shelter rescues -- are also a contributing factor! 
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW

Posted by Terri Perrin ~ Online Communications Editor

Animal Homing With Social Media

This creative video is using Social Media to promote the power of television advertising ... but at PetLynx Corporation we felt it does double-duty by promoting adoptions from animal shelters, too!

And, considering that the focus of the 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies was 'Homing Animals" we couldn't resist sharing this with you!

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.

Announcing the 2010 Summit Award Winners!

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 2010 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 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 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.

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 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 IX

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. 

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

The 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 Synopsis Part IV

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies

Presents an Amazing Group 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.

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. 

PetLynx and Partners Launch HomeSafe™ Canada Initiative

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:

• PetLynx Corporation 
• Canadian Kennel Club
• Dogs in Canada Magazine
• Iams and
• Petsecure

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 ...

2010 Summit Speaker Synopsis Part II

The 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 covering stories regarding 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.

Announcing the 2010 National Urban Animal Survey

As many of you know, 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.

Important Announcement!

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) 

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

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. (ISUAS):

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!

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:

The Summit Story: Celebrating Five Years of Achievement

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 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.

Registered Entities on PetLynx System Surpass 500,000

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

Addressing the Issue of Homing Animals 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.

Provide your comments to this discussion below.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Addressing the Issue of Homing Animals 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.

Provide your comments to this discussion below.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Addressing the Issue of Homing Animals 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.

Provide your comments to this discussion below.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Celebrate the Achievements of Your Peers

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 4 pm 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.      

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 1

Annual event will address important issues ... and work collaboratively to create solutions.

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.

Breeders believe they have the right to produce companion animals for a large and profitable market. Discussion about breeders and their practices has produced questions:

• What codes of conduct and attributes identify a responsible breeder?

• Who should be setting National Codes of Conduct for breeders?

• How does the industry enforce compliance for breeders?

• Is adoption a better model for homing animals from breeders than sale?

• How does the industry eliminate over production?

How do you feel about this issue?

To comment on this discussion item, use the comments section below.

To join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor