Summit Gala ~ Master of Ceremonies

Andrew C. Patton has been with The Canadian Kennel Club for more than six years. His focus is Communications, Sponsorship and Membership Development. Andrew says that he is delighted to be at the Summit again this year.

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.”

Summit Presentation Synopsis #2

Learn to be a CATalyst for change
Presenter: Dr. Jane Brunt

Regardless of what segment of the companion animal industry you represent, statistics relating to urban cats and cat ownership can be discouraging.

The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, for example, reports than an average of 70% of cats presented to U.S. animal shelters are euthanized. For every four cats coming into shelter, only one finds a permanent home.

This, despite the fact that statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association reveal an "owned cat" population of 81.2 million. That's almost 10 million more cats than dogs -- making cats America's number one animal companion. Yet in 2006, 36% of those 81.2 million cats did not visit a veterinarian. Cats are twice as likely as dogs to not be taken to a vet, leaving many of them undiagnosed and untreated for illness, disease, pain and discomfort.

The CATalyst Council is an initiative to champion the cat in light of these troubling statistics -- in effort to change society's image of cats as aloof creatures, not in need of human contact or care. The vision of CATalyst is to raise the level of care and welfare of cats by cat owners, supported by increased adoption rates, the highest quality of veterinary care, preventative medicine and cat-friendly products.

"The Summit for Urban Animal session will provide an overview of the CATalyst initiative, its challenges and achievements, and show the results of collaborative efforts across all channels to reach common goals," explains featured speaker, Dr. Jane Brunt, a feline-exclusive veterinarian and executive director of the CATalyst Council. "By working together, CATalyst intends to make a difference in the way people in the United States and elsewhere see and experience cats."

Mark Labelle Entertainer for Summit Gala

Mark Labelle aka Mr. Music, the comic entertainer with the keyboard, is back for the National Summit Awards Gala in Lake Louise on Thursday, 15 October 2009.

We first saw Mark at Agribition as he entertained the crowd at one of Canada's largest agriculture shows in Regina. When the opportunity came to use Labelle for the 2007 Summit Awards Gala there was absolutely no hesitation. We weren't disappointed. Labelle received rave reviews from his performance and a few new bookings from delegates in the audience. Mark's ability to engage the audience and to integrate music with comedy ended the 2007 celebration event on a high note.

Those attending the 2009 Summits Gala will have an opportunity to enjoy a high energy show to which Fairmont has now added a room and continental breakfast option. Those travelling up just for the Gala who are not delegates can bring a companion to the Thursday evening Gala and spend a relaxing Friday morning at one of the nicest resorts in the Rockies.

'I know of no other entertainer who has made me laugh, touched my heart and lifted my soul in the same performance', said Larry Evans, Chair, Organizing Committee for SUAS, 'We are so pleased to have Mark back in 2009. With his background in entertainment, film and now broadcast, Mark Labelle is worth spending time with.'

In addition to celebrating the achievement of your peers from the industry, we promise a really enjoyable evening full of fun, laughter and good fellowship. Register for the Summit Gala here

Campaign to End 'Cattiness'

National Survey Reveals 'Catty' Stereotypes Amongst Non-Cat Owners

Thought leaders attending the October 2009 National Summit on Urban Animal Strategies are not the only pet industry professionals who have recognized the need to address the status of cats in our society. It seems we need to examine the status of cat owners, too!

A recent study in the USA shed some light on what non-cat owners think about those of us who share our homes and hearts with more than one cat. The survey revealed that much work still needs to be done to change public perceptions of multi-cat owners from 'crazy cat ladies' to simply people who love cats!

ST. LOUIS, July 27 /PRNewswire/ Owning multiple cats is a way of life for millions of Americans. In fact, 71 percent of all domestic cats living in the U.S. reside in multiple cat households. However, while owning more than one cat is the status quo in America today, a new national survey reveals a surprising number of stereotypes still exist about people who own multiple cats.

According to the survey, the majority of non-cat owners have negative perceptions about multiple cat owners and their homes, saying that they would describe people with more than one cat as....

* A homebody (75%),
* Lonely (69%) and
* A "crazy cat lady" (58%).

And, multiple cat owners' homes as....

* Smelly (75%)
* Having furniture and bedding covered in cat hair (85%) and
* Being cluttered (66%).

To help debunk these perceptions and celebrate the millions of multiple cat owners, Tidy Cats brand cat litter launched the "Tidy Cats Campaign to End Cattiness." The campaign includes a national contest in which multiple cat owners can share their stories about their fulfilled lives with their cats to help redefine what it means to be a "cat lady."