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

2009 Summit Delegate Survey Results

The results from the 2009 Delegate Survey are in. The 2009 Delegates had the following to say regarding the venue and timing of the Summit:

• 62% of delegates agreed with alternating the Venue from East to West
  


• 71% of delegates agreed with keeping the mid-October date


• The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise received an overwhelming approval rating of 98%

Some of the comments we received about the Summit venue were:

"...some signage such as many hotels would have helped since the hotel is a tad of a maze..."

"First time staying at the Chateau and I was very happy with it!"

"More time to experience the setting would be wonderful, it's a shame to waste the view."

"Beautiful location and staff at the Fairmont are top notch."

"I love it being at the Lake Louise venue, but that it would be selfish to expect Easterners to make the big trek every year just for my convenience :) !"

Based on the above results, we are pleased to announce that the 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise from Wednesday, 13 October to Friday, 15 October.

We are planning on having the 2011 Summit at an Eastern location. Watch the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies blog for updates on this event.

Thank you for your feedback.

Summit Presentation Synopsis #3

Survey Says!
Presenter: David Web, Research Consultant, dmrkynetec

The results of the 2009 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS) ~ the Responsible Pet Owner Segmentation Study ~ are sure to be an eye-opener for all of us!

"The presentation will go far beyond superficial attitudes and behaviours to provide us with never-before-seen information about the underlying motivations of pet owners," explains Webb. "This research was specifically designed to be relevant for all members of the companion animal chain."

The NAUAS encompasses the results from 1500 interviews with cat and dog owners in Canada. It includes a segmentation of these pet owners that will distill this diverse group into four or five basic typologies (or segments) based on their attitudes and behaviours relating to pet care. This analysis will help industry stakeholders better understand pet owners and allow for more informed decisions regarding how to best reach this market.

"Given that the topic for this year's Summit is Urban Cats, the presentation will pay particular attention to the different attitudes and behaviours between cat and dog owners and the segments that exists between these two groups," adds Webb. "Only by truly understanding the unique characteristics and motivations of cat owners can the industry develop the necessary strategies to reach this group and maximize the opportunities."

2009 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS)

You have questions. We will have answers!

• Does the average pet guardian think a spayed or neutered pet makes a better behaved pet?
• Do they think that mandatory pet licensing is just a "cash grab" for their city?
• If a pet guardian gets a prescription for their pet, how many follow through with proper administration of the drug?
• When buying pet food, is price the deciding factor?
• How has the economy impacted attitudes about pet care?
  

These and dozens of other important questions will be addressed in the 2009 North American Urban Animal Survey (NAUAS) being conducted in September. The results will be presented at the National Summit for Urban Animal Strategies to be held at the Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, in mid-October.

The Responsible Pet Owner Segmentation Survey is the third of its kind to be conducted by Calgary-based PetLynx Corporation on behalf of its many industry partners.

"The cumulative answers to these questions will enable us to better understand 'the big picture' of important issues affecting pet guardians and the pet care industry in North America," explains David Webb, research consultant with dmrkynetec, the leading global supplier of market research to the agriculture, animal health and nutrition industries. "When we have a better concept of 'the big picture' we can develop broad-based strategies to address the big problems."

Webb adds that the methodology used in this "segmentation analysis" will divide the overall cat- and dog-owning population to four or five basic typologies. This will help us better understand their underlying motivations and beliefs with regard to pet care. With this information, we can be better equipped to deliver targeted and powerful responsible pet ownership messages.

"In the past, the companion animal industry as a whole has been forced to make important financial and legislative decisions based on common beliefs and internal statistics, not sound research," adds Petlynx Corporation's President, Larry Evans. "Big industry players, like pet food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, may have been in a position to fund their own research. But those of us at the front lines... the animal control centres, shelters, small retailers and veterinarians have been limited to our own internal data resources, which may not tell the whole story."

"Because this research is being conducted on a collaborative basis across Canada and the United States," concludes Webb, "it is a cost-efficient and affordable means of providing all facets of the pet industry -- from large corporations, to municipalities, to small service providers -- with a wealth of information that would otherwise be totally out of reach for them."

If you are interested in participating as a subscriber to the Responsible Pet Owner Segmentation Survey you must act now! Click here for details on how to sign on as a subscriber.

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."