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 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 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.

How Has Domestication Changed the Cat?

Delegates at the Vancouver and Toronto 2010 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies were provided with with a rare opportunity to gain research-based insight into how genetics have played a role in the evolution of the cat.

A total of 92% of delegates who responded to a survey agreed that Dr. Leslie Lyons, Associate Professor of Genetics at the University of California Davis,  was "considered to be an expert" and "conveyed information in her presentation in a way they could relate to."

PetLynx Announces New HomeSafe Initiative

At the April 2010 Canadian Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies an exciting new initiative to make pet insurance protection available to the pet families of the 14 million+ dogs and cats in Canada was announced.

Under this new initiative, called HomeSafe™, Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC) and PetLynx Corporation will develop health insurance benefits for the new on-line HomeSafe™ portal.

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How does it work?

HomeSafe™ will provide a range of products and prices from three of the leading pet insurance brands in Canada, all of which are underwritten by WFIC. Pet families may choose the type of medical insurance that best meets their budget and their needs from among these offerings. This coverage will  be registered in the pet's record on the HomeSafe™ national system, which is powered by PetLynx. In an emergency situation, pets registered with HomeSafe™ will have the shortest path to medical attention in Canada.

Who will benefit from the HomeSafe™ program?

Everyone! Using the on-line HomeSafe™ portal, pet families will manage their  animals' care profiles, breed information, recovery services, pet pictures and licensing information. Pet retailers, breeders, humane societies, municipalities, veterinarians and other service providers will have the ability to ensure that the pets they place or provide services to have medical benefits.

Why is a program like HomeSafe™ needed?

The Urban Animal Surveys, conducted for PetLynx Corporation by Ipsos Reid in 2008 and dmrkynetec in 2009, clearly showed that companion animal health and wellness is a top priority for pet families.

Companion animal industry intelligence tells us that:

• There are higher instances of surrender and euthanasia in communities where health care benefits aren't readily available for companion animals.
• To reduce or eliminate this situation communities and industry need to work together.

What industry sectors can be involved with HomeSafe™?

• Municipalities
• Humane societies
• Veterinarians
• Breeders
• Retailers
• All other service providers.

Why Western Financial and PetLynx?

Because this program delivers a win for communities, pets, people and the companion animal industry in Canada.

"We believe that HomeSafe™ is the most comprehensive approach to improving health and wellness for companion animals in Canada," said Randy Valpy, President and CEO of Western Financial Insurance. "We have already paid out more than $110,000,000 in claims, which means Canadians can trust us. Now with PetLynx and the HomeSafe™ program we will take health and wellness to a new level."

"Health care is one of the highest priorities Canadians have," adds Larry R. Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation. "Our colleagues across Canada helped us become the largest automated recovery system in just three years. Together with Western Financial Insurance we will deliver a new level of health and wellness for pets and help Canadian communities become the best place for companion animals in the world."

ABOUT WESTERN FINANCIAL INSURANCE

Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC), formally known as Securican General Insurance Company, is the first and only licensed insurance company in Canada to focus solely on pet health insurance. WFIC has a number of product lines. Its core brand is Petsecure pet health insurance, and they also underwrite PurinaCare^® Pet Health Insurance, PC Financial^® pet insurance, CAA pet insurance and Hbc Pet Insurance.

ABOUT PETLYNX CORPORATION

PetLynx automates the Companion Animal Industry in Canada.  Hundreds of times a day, the PetLynx Automated National Recovery System recovers lost pets. PetLynx is the only Internet system in the world that can recover animals using a physical description, with or without any of the common forms of pet identification. It is also the only system that can recover pets not enrolled prior to becoming lost. To date, more than 158,344 pet recoveries have been facilitated through the PetLynx National Recovery System in Canada.

PetLynx....  lifetime protection for pets and peace of mind for people.

For more information contact:

Mika Sanson ~ Western Financial Insurance Company

204.942.2999 ext 7297

Mika.Sanson@westernfic.com

http://www.westernfic.com

Cindy Kreutzer~ PetLynx Corporation

403.219.1088

cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com

http://www.petlynx.com/

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

Pet Obsessed: The cost of cute

Whether you’re a dog or a cat person, there’s no question that our four-legged friends provide us with the kind of companionship you just can’t put a price on. That didn’t stop the folks at USA-based www.mint.com from doing just that however. 

The company's latest info-graphic takes a look at the true cost of sharing your home with companion animals, along with the requisite cute photos. How much do Americans spend on pet food, supplies, and pet food? And how have the big pet supply retailers done during the economic downturn?

This info-graphic is based on the aggregate data from over one million Mint.com users, a representative sampling of US consumers, along with data from wiki.answers.com.

The blog posts to this information are interesting, too. Tell us what you think of mint.com's statistics.

Posted by Terri Perrin, PetLynx Online Communications Editor