NOTICE - National Urban Animal Report for 2010

Executives in the companion animal industry concerned about the impact of the Internet and the other matters impacting their business are invited to attend an OpenSpace on this matter at the Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies, 13 - 19 April 2011 in Toronto, Halifax, Red Deer and Vancouver.

The proliferation of the Internet is having a remarkable effect on the companion animal industry. In 2006 and 2010 Mike Dover contributed to the understanding of the new Internet paradigms through his involvement on the "Wikinomics" and "Macro Wikinomics" team. In 2011 he launched his own book "WikiBrands" to investigate the impact of the Internet and social media on branding.

OpenSpace:
Retailers, Humane Societies, Veterinarians, Breeders, Licensing Agencies, Internet and other Service providers are invited to attend one of four Summits and to participate in a facilitated discussion of wikibrand principals. Mike Dover, author of "WikiBrands", principal of Socialstruct Advisory Group is delivering the National Urban Animal Report for 2010 and will speak to the issues of online brand development and maintenance.

Other Summit Conversations:
Patricia Cameron, Executive Director, Calgary Humane Society, will be leading a conversation that looks at the four waves of the humane movement. Joe Mauro, will be leading a conversation on voluntary compliance and best practices for breeders. Louis McCann, Chair, National Companion Animal Coalition, will be leading a conversation on the new National Codes of Conduct governing all aspects of the companion animal industry.

Registration:
The specific venues and dates, as well as registration, for this event can be found at http://www.tsuas.com/ or by contacting Judi Cannon:

NOTICE - Voluntary Compliance & Best Practices for Breeders

Executives in the companion animal industry concerned about the definition for compliant sources of dogs and cats are invited to attend an OpenSpace on this matter at the Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies, 13 - 19 April 2011 in Toronto, Halifax, Red Deer and Vancouver.

Background:
The advent of the Internet has allowed non-compliant sources of cats and dogs to escape detection and bring thousands of pets into our communities with homing episodes that are below acceptable standards. The companion animal industry has recognized this problem and has come together to develop a solution that will reduce or eliminate two sources of pets; unintentional and intentional non-compliant breeders; while providing official recognition for compliant sources. A new national seal of approval will help service providers like Kijiji, pet stores and breeders to help pet families acquire a pet from a compliant source with confidence.

OpenSpace:
Retailers, Humane Societies, Veterinarians, Breeders, Licensing Agencies, Internet and other Service providers are invited to attend one of four Summits to participate in a facilitated discussion of the proposed qualifications. Joe Mauro, is leading this national conversation with the support of the other national industry leaders.

Other Summit Conversations:
Louis McCann Chair, National Companion Animal Coalition, will be leading a conversation on the new National Codes of Conduct governing all aspects of the companion animal industry. Patricia Cameron, Executive Director, Calgary Humane Society, will be leading a conversation that looks at the four waves of the humane movement. Mike Dover, author of 'WikiBrands' principal of SocialStruct Advisory will deliver the National Urban Animal Report for 2010.

Registration:
The specific venues and dates as well as the registration for this event can be found at http://www.tsuas.com/ or by contacting Judi Cannon
E: event@tsuas.com; P: 705.749.6607.

NOTICE - The Humane Movement - Where we're coming from and Where we're going

Executives in the companion animal industry concerned about the Future of the Humane Movement are invited to attend an OpenSpace on this matter at the Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies, 13 - 19 April 2011 in Toronto, Halifax, Red Deer and Vancouver.

Background:
There have been four waves in the development of the Humane movement. The future may be challenging as the Internet expands the reach of pseudo Humane organizations who may not deliver any legitimate services in the areas where they raise funds. The companion animal industry has recognized this problem and has come together to develop a solution that will provide official recognition for compliant agencies. A new national seal of approval together with changes to the legislation governing Not For Profit Status may help identify the legitimate Humane organizations.

OpenSpace:
Retailers, Humane Societies, Veterinarians, Breeders, Licensing Agencies, Internet and other Service providers are invited to attend one of four Summits and to participate in a facilitated discussion of the Humane Movement. Patricia Cameron, Executive Director, Calgary Humane Society is leading a conversation that looks at the four waves of the humane movement.

Other Summit Conversations:
Joe Mauro, will be leading a national conversation on Voluntary Compliance and Best Practices for Breeders. Louis McCann, Chair, National Companion Animal Coalition, will be leading a conversation on the new National Codes of Conduct governing all aspects of the companion animal industry. Mike Dover, author of "WikiBrands", principal of Socialstruct Advisory Group will deliver the National Urban Animal Report for 2010.

Registration:
The specific venues and dates, as well as registration, can be found at :

http://www.tsuas.com/ or by contacting Judi Cannon;
e: event@tsuas.com or p: 705.749.6607.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Agenda Set for the 2011 Regional Summits April 13-19

Great Presenters. Compelling content. Stimulating conversations.
The 2011 Regional Summits will deliver all this and more!  

'Collaboration, change and progress' are not words usually associated with the many challenges we face in the companion animal industry. Yet they are now being used to describe the various initiatives resulting from conversations that started at the October 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) and are continuing in communities across Canada!
   
We invite you to attend the 2011 Regional Summit (RSUAS) event in the community nearest you. The Regional Summits are the 'Reader's Digest' version of the International Summit. These events allow you to gain insight on what transpired at the International Summit, review industry metrics and and to join in conversations that are moving the companion animal industry in exciting new directions!
  
This year's Regional events will focus on the ever-challenging issue of 'animal homing'. A line-up of dynamic speakers will deliver a synopsis of presentations from the 2010 ISUAS and an interactive 'Open Spaces' program will be facilitated by Karen Dawson, Create Now Inc.  Open Spaces is a proven networking strategy that puts all industry stakeholders in one room and fosters a spirit of respect, trust and open communication. Karen's role as moderator is to support us as we get 'unstuck' and engage in meaningful and productive conversations. 

Thank You for Caring for Cats!

"We are only one month into the 2011 Year of the Cat (YOC) campaign and already we have made significant progress!" says Judi Cannon, Collaboration Manager Care for Cats. "Reports about the Year of the Cat have appeared in dozens of newspapers, websites and other media outlets in the past four weeks. As a ‘behind-the-scenes’ member of the Care for Cats Committee, I extend a heart-felt THANK YOU to everyone involved with this important project for making this progress possible."

In the months leading up to the official YOC launch on January 5th, Canada’s companion animal industry rallied together in an amazing spirit of collaboration and commitment. Although we are still in the early stages of the program, all indicators are that we are moving in the right direction. Our combined efforts are creating a heightened awareness about the plight of cats in our communities and the industry is combining resources to insure a successful project. Well done!

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' ...

If you Care for Cats ... post this information on your Facebook Page

PetLynx Corporation is proud to be one of the sponsors of

2011 The Year of the Cat, a Canada-wide public education initiative orchestrated by Care for Cats that is intended to "get rid of the myths and give the facts!"

This program was launched on January 5th and has been well-publicized through various media outlets, on blogs, tweets, facebook pages and good old-fashioned 'word of mouth' advertising. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in making this possible!

Loads of valuable content has been added to the Care for Cats website and new information is posted weekly. This information is there for you to use -- free of charge -- to help you better care for your own cat or to help promote responsible cat ownership in your community. Be sure to check back often!

To access these valuable resources, click on the scroll down menu on the Pet Industry Toolbox for great content on education, wellness, ID/legislation and population control.

The section for Pet Families has a kids corner, fun cat videos and a tool box.

Help use celebrate cats and educate Canadians about their value in our society ... and thank you for caring and for sharing!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Did you miss the 'Cat Crazed' Documentary on CBC?

As a proud sponsor of Care for Cats and the 2011 Year of the Cat initiative, PetLynx Corporation encourages people in the community and those working in the companion animal industry  to become part of the conversation to change public perceptions about cats.

To gain insight into the magnitude of the cat overpopulation crisis in Canada watch the CBC TV Doc Zone special 'Cat Crazed' on line.

Interested in being part of the solution to the cat overpopulation crisis? Participate in the 2011 Year of the Cat initiative.

Learn about the International Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Companion Animal Industry Rallies Together to Tackle Cat Overpopulation Crisis

2011 is declared ‘The Year of the Cat’ —
launching a nation-wide campaign
to encourage people to treat cats like dogs

Conversations about the cat crisis in Canada that started at the International and Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies have evolved into an unprecedented national campaign to tackle the cat overpopulation crisis and raise the social status and value of cats in our communities.

At the 2009 Summits for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS), Dr. Elizabeth O’Brien, one of only four Board Certified Feline Specialists in Canada, was one of the featured speakers. She showcased a successful Year of the Cat education campaign created by the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA. Enthused by the support she received at the ISUAS and the Regional Summits, Dr. O’Brien agreed to become the spokesperson for a national Care for Cats committee. The Year of the Cat campaign is the committee’s first project. Coincidentally, 2011 is officially the Vietnamese Year of the Cat.

CBC Television's 'Cat Crazed' documentary premiers January 6, 2011

Cats were the main focus of discussions at the 2009 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS). Amongst the group of industry thought leaders from across North America gathered there was a camera crew from Vancouver-based Bountiful Films. Maureen Palmer, Director, was in the early stages of research that would take her and her crew across North America and beyond to capture on film and celebrate our nation's love affair with cats and encourage a new relationship with North America's most popular pet: one where all cats are loved and none are abandoned.

According to CBC TV's promotional literature, the new documentary, Cat Crazed, marries documentary storytelling with Oscar-nominated animator Cordell Barker's comedic genius to delivery an irreverent take on the world's cat overpopulation crisis.

"We had the privilege of reviewing this film prior to its release and feel that it will be very valuable in terms of bringing various cat conversations together in 2011," says Larry Evans, President, PetLynx Corporation. "We are thrilled that this cat documentary premiers this week ... at the same time the industry launches the nation-wide Care for Cats public education campaign. The 2011 Year of the Cat is an initiative that was created as a direct result of  industry conversations that began at the 2009 Summit."

We invite you to watch this film and become involved in the conversations to improve the lives of our feline friends.

CAT CRAZED 2011 AIR DATES:

Check your local listing for air times

CBC Doc Zone, Thursday, January 6

CBC New Net, Friday,January 7

Repeat, Sunday, January 9

Watch a You-Tube Cat Crazed Video Trailer.

Posted by Terri Perrin, PetLynx Online Communications Editor

Summit Story in PIJAC Canada's Newsletter

"Did you ever wonder how, when and why the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies got started? Now you can read all about it in the December 2010 issue of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada's (PIJAC) e-newsletter, 'The Voice'.

Learn how Larry Evans and the PetLynx Corporation's team's vision of opening the lines of communication amongst all sectors of the companion animal industry is making a difference for pets and people in communities across Canada and gain insight into how pet retailers feel about the important role they play in the companion animal industry.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor