Dog Rescues Human

In the spirit of love and compassion that is the foundation of the Christmas season, we share the following adoption story as a way to acknowledge and thank people across Canada who work tirelessly to rescue and re-home lost, abandoned and abused animals.

In the companion animal industry we always talk about humans adopting animals... but in many cases it is the animals who give unconditionally of their love and are our salvation. Enjoy this adoption story from an dog's point of view! 

Merry Christmas from PetLynx Corporation and 

the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies 

Organizing Committee

 

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY. 
 

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

Addressing the Issue of Animal Homing Part 1

Annual event will address important issues ... and work collaboratively to create solutions.

On 13 October 2010, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will turn attention to strategies and codes of conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities.

Breeders believe they have the right to produce companion animals for a large and profitable market. Discussion about breeders and their practices has produced questions:

• What codes of conduct and attributes identify a responsible breeder?

• Who should be setting National Codes of Conduct for breeders?

• How does the industry enforce compliance for breeders?

• Is adoption a better model for homing animals from breeders than sale?

• How does the industry eliminate over production?

How do you feel about this issue?

To comment on this discussion item, use the comments section below.

To join your executive level peers and contribute to the formation of homing strategies at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

PetLynx Achieves Record High Registrations and Recoveries

An analysis of PetLynx Corporation's statistics showed extraordinary growth in the number of registrations in the first six months of 2010. During this time, a total of 57,620 entities registered with the PetLynx Automated National Recovery System. This achievement includes 29,561 companion animals and 28,059 associates (pet families and service providers) -- an increase of 129% and 91% respectively, over the same period last year.

From California to Canada: Sixty Dogs get a Second Chance

On Friday, June 25, 2010, 60 small breed dogs from the South East Area Animal Control Agency in California and the Fresno SPCA took a Freedom Flight! They were flown on a private jet from Long Beach to the Edmonton Humane Society.

The dogs were not adopted from their respective shelters in California because they have a surplus of small breed dogs. But in Edmonton, small breed dogs are much harder to find and, therefore, more easily adoptable. So, in an effort to find them forever homes, these dogs were transferred north.

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

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

2010 International SUAS Schedule Extended

Since 2006, the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies have been the voice for collaboration in the companion animal industry. Each October, executive level thought leaders from the four sectors of this industry convene to develop strategies that will move the industry forward toward healthier communities for pets and people.

The 2010 International Alumni Summit will again take place at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Wednesday, 13 October to Saturday, 16 October 2010.

With a focus on "New Strategies & Codes of Conduct for Homing" the Summit has been extended and the schedule adjusted to allow more face time for Alumni attending this event. 
 

Summit registration includes the following:

• Wednesday Evening Welcome Reception
• Six Working Sessions on Homing
• Three Night's Accommodation in a Fairmont Room
• Continental Breakfast and Lunch on Thursday and Friday
• Your ticket to the Summit Awards Gala Friday night
• Continental Breakfast and Keynote Speaker Saturday
• Your summary of the 2010 Urban Animal Survey and speaker resources

Please visit www.tsuas.com to register, nominate delegates, purchase Summit Awards tickets or nominate recipients for the Summit Awards program.

For more information:

Judi Cannon
Program Manager
Direct: 705.930.7387
Office: 403.219.1088

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Educational Blogs to Encourage Industry Collaboration

Did you know that in addition to this blog, PetLynx hosts three other blogs? Each one focuses on a specific target audience but all provide the latest news and information on developments that affect you in the day-to-day administration of your pet-related business or association.

We encourage you to check out any (or all!) of our blogs, subscribe to those of most interest to you and submit comments. Feel free to link to our blogs on your own site to deliver relevant content to your readers.

We believe that information sharing and industry collaboration are the missing pieces of the puzzle that will ultimately result in healthier communities for pets and people.

By continuously striving to increase pet registrations and add more community service providers, PetLynx™ is fulfilling its mandate to lessen the burden on animal shelters, rescue agencies and municipal agencies across Canada, while helping pets get back home… where they can be healthy, happy and safe.

Here's what PetLynx has to offer you:

HomeSafe™

Good news from people who help lost pets get HomeSafe™!

The HomeSafe™ blog provides pet families and community partners with lost and found pet-related stories of gratitude and inspiration, as well as general information related to lost and found pets, pet safety and how to better utilize the PetLynx utility. 

http://petlynxhomesafe.blogspot.com/

EZBits™

Tips and tools for creating a healthy community for pets and people

The EZBits™ blog is targeted to PetLynx™ Authorized Service Centers (ASCs), brand associates and community partners. In addition to providing tips and tools on how to better utilize the ShelterLynx™ and AnimalTRACS™ utilities, we also post information of general interest to the animal industry. We know you are all busy people, so we post stories with educational value for you to use in planning and program development or to share with your colleagues. http://petlynxezbits.blogspot.com/

Summit for Urban Animal Strategies™

Building healthy communities for pets and people and recognizing those who achieve success

The Summit™ blog is a forum for executive thought leaders to advance the state of the art in Urban Animal Strategies. In addition to providing news and information about upcoming National and Regional Summits, this blog provides insight into the North American Urban Animal Survey and other management-level information.

http://animalsummits.blogspot.com/

InfoStream™

Providing the companion animal industry with proven business services.

The InfoStream™ blog is targeted to our investors, industry partners and executive thought leaders. It provides updates on developments within PetLynx™ Corporation, including performance statistics, new partnerships, and other community collaboration milestones. http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.com/

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Regional Summit Update

It is with great pleasure that the organizing committee for the Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies announces the sponsors and collaborators for this year's events that are happening across Canada the week of April 19th, 2010.

The Regional Summits gather industry leaders (unit and branch managers) from all sectors of the pet industry.  These one day events deliver content from the previous National Alumni Summit, promote industry collaboration in each region, provide Continuing Education for industry management and expand the number of collaborators working toward common goals and urban animal strategies in the companion animal industry.

PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Iams Canada 

SESSION SPONSORS:

Petsecure

CDMV

GENERAL SPONSORS:

Petsmart Charities of Canada

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) Canada

Canadian Kennel Club

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies

Destron Fearing

The collaborators play an important role in their region bringing new delegates to the events while fostering collaboration in their communities.  We would like to thank the Edmonton Animal Services, BC SPCA, OVMA, Ontario SPCA, Calgary Humane Society, and the Moncton SPCA.

We thank the sponsors and collaborators for sharing the vision of the Summits.  Without their support these events would not be possible.  Feel free to speak with a sponsor or collaborator regarding their reasons for participating in the Regional Summits.

This year's agenda is packed with high quality speakers and industry metrics never seen before.  We also have an exciting game that involves a door prize for each event - a microchip scanner from Destron Fearing.  Unfortunately we are limiting the number of delegates to 60 per event.

Register today to avoid disappointment.

Judi Cannon
The Summits for Urban Animal Strategies
Direct: 705.930.7387     Office: 403.219.1088

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Small Dogs Are a BIG Market

North American Urban Animal Survey Highlight

One of the purposes of the 2008 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS) was to determine the size of the companion animal industry in Canada. The study indicated that there are more than 4.8 million households with cats and 4.4 million households with dogs.

The 2009 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS), delved deeper into understanding how pet-owners feel about their animal companions and what factors drive their decisions to provide various levels of care – or not. It identified four distinct types – or segments – of dog owners and three types of cat owners.

The results of this research are intriguing! It revealed, for example, that “Dog Pleasers” – those who share the deepest bond with their dogs but are only “fairly responsible” dog owners – seem to favour dogs under 20-pounds. While this segment represented only 21% of the total dog-owning population, almost half of them owned little dogs…. And a significant number of these little dogs were over the age of five.

How can this information help my organization?

This type of data can assist you in planning and implementing targeted and effective humane education and responsible pet ownership messages, as well as market specific products and services to pet owners. Targeted marketing is more effective than taking a "shotgun approach." Time invested in sound research saves money in the long term!

Find out how to subscribe to the North American Urban Animal Survey.

Learn more about the National and Regional Summits For Urban Animal Strategies.

“Just Pets” or “Members of the Family”?

North American Urban Animal Survey Highlight

The 2009 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS), presented at the 2009 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, revealed that dog owners fit into four main categories:

· Engaged Dog Lovers (30%)

· Dog Pleasers (21%)

· Canine Traditionalists (22%)

· Canine Pragmatists (27%)

Why is this important to know and understand?

Recognizing that not all dog owners share the same level of affinity for their canine companions is vital for the animal welfare and animal services industries. It should influence how (and why) we market various goods and services to the general population.

While we would all like to believe that all dog owners view their pets as valued members of the family, this research validates that this is not the case. Canine Pragmatists, for example, have only a moderate emotional connection with their dogs and Canine Traditionalists are less bonded with their dogs, when compared to Dog Pleasers and Engaged Dog Owners.

In addition to providing a thorough analysis of how each of these four dog-owner segments and three cat-owner segments viewed their pets’ status in the family unit, the 2009 NAUAS also delved into various aspects of pet ownership, such as their roles and responsibilities as animal care providers, their understanding of spaying and neutering, the level of training they have provided for their pets and much more.

This timely and targeted research could prove to be an invaluable tool to help you with your marketing efforts!

Find out how to subscribe to the North American Urban Animal Survey.

Learn more about the National and Regional Summits For Urban Animal Strategies.

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