More 2010 Regional Summit Highlights

"Intelligent, forward thinking... such a welcome change and a breath of fresh air!" was how one delegate described the presentation given by Bill Bruce, Manager of The City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services, at the 2010 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies. The events were held in four cities across Canada the week of 19 April.

More than 85% of delegates who completed the post-Summit survey said that Bruce was: 

• an effective and engaging speaker
• an expert on the subject matter
• delivered relevant and useful content, and
• conveyed information in ways they could relate to.

Bruce's lecture focused on the success of The City of Calgary's cat licensing program and provided attendees with insight on how they can effectively duplicate the program in their own communities.
"We did our research before implementing cat licensing," explained Bruce. "We recognized that we had an average of 9,000 cats a year entering the shelter system in Calgary. Of these, only about 17% had traceable identification. As a result, the return to owner and euthanasia rates were dismal. The problem, we recognized, was not necessarily one of pet overpopulation but a need for people to become more responsible pet owners. Once we understood the problem we developed a program to get the public to understand it."

Since introducing voluntary cat licensing in June 2006, and mandatory licensing in January 2007, The City of Calgary has exceeded its initial estimate of having about 20,000 licensed cats. More than 50% of cats in Calgary are now believed to be licensed. Licensing has resulted in returned to owner rates increasing to about 60% and euthanasia rates changing from 36% to 18%.

Want to learn more about how you can connect with other thought leaders in the companion animal industry? Check out the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies to be held at Lake Louise, Alberta, 13 - 16 October 2010.

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

Regional Summit Provides Platform to Share Statistics

The Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies, held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Halifax the week of 19 April 2010 provided Larry Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation, with an opportunity to share highlights of the 2009 Urban Animal Survey.

The survey --  Urban Cats - Our Biggest Opportunity -- was conducted in the fall of 2009. This in-depth research proved to be extremely insightful for manufacturers of pet food and animal health products, veterinary associations, shelters, animal control agencies and retailers of pet care products. This research provides a comprehensive measurement of pet owner attitudes and the behavior exhibited towards their animal companions.

Although presenting statistical data can be a challenge, Evans did not disappoint! Delegates commented that the presentation was "Entertaining, interesting and enjoyable."

Another delegate remarked: "Given the huge amount of information in the survey, it was valuable to hear the conclusions that followed."

A total of 82% of delegates felt the presentation conveyed the information "in a matter I could relate to" and 74% felt the "information was relevant to me."

WHY CONDUCT AN NORTH AMERICAN URBAN ANIMAL SURVEY? 

At the first Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in 2006, delegates clearly indicated that they required clarity of thought on how to manage urban animals. A lack of reliable statistics and information on constituent’s views hampers municipal leaders and legislators in their efforts to develop urban animal strategies and thus create and sustain a healthy community for pets and people

Want to learn more about how you can connect with other thought leaders in the companion animal industry? Check out the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies to be held at Lake Louise, Alberta, 13 - 16 October 2010.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

2010 Regional Summits A Resounding Success

The 2010 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies were successfully delivered in four locations across Canada during the week of April 19. And, according to delegates who attended the Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax or Toronto events, the Summits provided education, inspiration and excellent value.


When asked to rate The Regional Summits on a scale of 1 - 9, with six-to-nine being "agree" to "strongly agree", 100% of respondents gave it top ranking for inspiration.

When asked if they had "gained at least one new idea to take back to their workplace," 92% ranked it 6 and above.


95% of delegates felt the mid-April scheduling of the event was desirable and 74% said they would attend next year.

In the comments section of the delegate survey, one satisfied attendee wrote: "It was an honour to be in a room and hear these speakers that are so like-minded. They have truly inspired me and given me much-needed encouragement to carry on the work that our Foundation does in our community."


Another delegate summed it up by saying: "[The Summit] was extremely well-organized and had great presenters with a great sense of humor. It made it fun to be there."


Want to learn more about how you can connect with other thought leaders in the companion animal industry? Check out the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies to be held at Lake Louise, Alberta, 13 - 16 October 2010.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor