2009 Summit ReCap #2: Cats Our Biggest Opportunity

Highlights from the Panel Discussion at the 2009 Summit

The panel discussion on the last day of the National Alumni Summit For Urban Animal Strategies always provides opportunity for lively discussion and information sharing. In effort to remind alumni of the importance of this dialogue, and to keep these issues top of mind, here are a few powerful quotes excerpted from the session:

On the issue of managing TNR Colonies:

“[With many feral cat colonies] people don’t realize that there is a community caregiver. Occasionally the cats are trapped and taken to Animal Services… and we go and pick them up. [Upon their return to the colony] we distribute pamphlets in the neighbourhood, to let people know these community cats are being cared for, with tips on keeping the cats out of their yards if they don’t want them there.”

Debbie Nelson ~ MEOW Foundation, Calgary

“Sterilization may be the key [to controlling the number of unwanted cats and kittens] but in our minds, the biggest issue for feral cats is finding someone to be the caretaker of that colony. If we just spay and neuter cats and then turn them back out on the street, there could be health issues immediately after surgery. There is also a concern with neighbourhood acceptance. Some people don’t necessarily care whether the cat will reproduce or not… they still consider them to be a nuisance.”
Tim Dack ~ (Retired) City of Winnipeg Animal Services

On the issue of feral cats, as an ‘invasive’ species:

“In one of the presentations, cats were referred to as ‘second only to rats’ in terms of being an invasive species. Since cats are not [technically] native to Canada, there are concerns about predation on migratory birds and the fact that they may be a food source for coyotes, etc. Have any communities looked into this?”
Patricia Cameron ~ Calgary Humane Society

“In Calgary we studied coyote scat and discovered that [judging from the fecal analysis] inner city coyotes had minor predation of cats. More often, they ate bird seed and garbage. Coyotes are inherently lazy and would rather eat garbage than chase cats. Foxes, on the other hand, are a concern since they can follow a cat over a fence. TNR cats are well aware of predators. The real victims here are the household cats that are put outside every night… and they think every animal is their friend!”
Bill Bruce ~ City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services

Future Thought Leader Scholarship Winners Selected

Pet Lynx Corporation is pleased to announce the winners of this year's National Summit on Urban Animal Strategies (NSUAS) Future Thought Leaders Scholarships.

The NSUAS Future Leader Scholarship program, established in 2008, provides $1500 in funding to enable recipients to attend the Summit. It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills in the companion animal industry and a specific interest in urban animal strategies.

"As usual, a number of highly qualified individuals were nominated by their peers," said Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation. "And, as usual, the task of choosing the two winners was a challenge. It is inspiring to read about the good work that so many people are doing in various communities across Canada."

The 2009 scholarship winners are.....

Johanne Tasse
Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec (caacQ)

Johanne Tasse has worked tirelessly for more than a decade, in an effort to reduce the high numbers of healthy and adoptable companion animals euthanized in Quebec each year and to "push for change as a united voice."

In 2008, Johanne was instrumental in establishing a non-profit society -- Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec (caacQ). Since its inception, Johanne and her peers at caacQ have lobbied all levels of government, presented education programs to the general public, aggressively promoted spay/neuter awareness and launched a campaign to encourage the people of Quebec to consider "The Adoption Option" when acquiring a pet.

When nominating Johanne for this award, Louis McCann, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), said; "The situation [relating to companion animals] in Quebec is dreadful. Johanne would welcome the opportunity to network [at the NSUAS] as she often feels that she is alone in this battle, with no other leaders in her province."

"I am honoured to receive the scholarship funding," said Johanne. "I am excited to have the opportunity to meet with leaders in the companion animal industry, to learn from their successes and to be able to take this information to Quebec. This opportunity for networking will help me continue to campaign to change attitudes and legislation relating to management and care of companion animals in Quebec. Change is desperately needed here."

Pierre Filiatreault
Pierre's Alley Cats Society

He may have recently retired after 31 years of service with the Canadian Navy but Pierre Filiatreault continues a life of service... for the feral cats of Halifax.

A champion of "Trap, Neuter, Release" (TNR) programs for cats, Pierre feeds and monitors a colony of about 50 "fixed" cats in the Halifax dockyards. He is proud to report that not a single kitten has been born there in over three years and that all of the cats are well-fed and healthy.

In addition to looking after "his" cats, Pierre gives lectures on the virtues of TNR, supports other groups with funding whenever possible, and has mentored others in how to start their own TNR programs, including one at HRM Halifax.

On behalf of his registered non-profit organization - Pierre's Alley Cats Society -- he is working closely with the City of Halifax in an effort to secure funding for other TNR programs. Pierre also volunteers on the Board of Directors of his local SPCA as well as the Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Network.

Congratulations Johanne and Pierre!