Summit Story in PIJAC Canada's Newsletter

"Did you ever wonder how, when and why the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies got started? Now you can read all about it in the December 2010 issue of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada's (PIJAC) e-newsletter, 'The Voice'.

Learn how Larry Evans and the PetLynx Corporation's team's vision of opening the lines of communication amongst all sectors of the companion animal industry is making a difference for pets and people in communities across Canada and gain insight into how pet retailers feel about the important role they play in the companion animal industry.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Important 2011 Summit Announcement!

Date change to accommodate our animal health colleagues

In 2011, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) turns its focus to animal health and wellness. This is a fitting theme, since 2011 marks the 250^th Anniversary of Veterinary Medicine and has been declared World Veterinary Year.

A few days ago, our friends at the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association [CVMA] asked if we would consider moving the dates for the 2011 ISUAS to accommodate the 30^th Annual World Veterinary Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.  The World Veterinary Congress will draw veterinarians, other health-care professionals and their families from around the world ... including delegates and alumni of the ISUAS.

For this reason, after consulting with key industry contacts, we have agreed to change the date of the October International Summit to enable Thought Leaders from the animal wellness sector to attend both events.

The new dates for ISUAS are: 19 -22 October 2011.

We trust this advance notice is sufficient to allow you to change your fall 2011 schedule.  We thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you at the beautiful Fairmont Montebello, Quebec in October.

Thank you for your support of Summit programs and for your work to build healthy communities for pets and people.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

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.

2011 Summit W5 ~ Focus on Animal Health

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is  being held in  Eastern Canada in 2011

WHO WILL GATHER: Thought leaders and visionaries from all four sectors of the Companion Animal Industry.

WHAT WILL THEY DISCUSS: Animal Health & Wellness in our communities.

WHERE WILL IT BE HELD: The beautiful Fairmont Chateau Montebello, Quebec

WHEN: 12 - 15 October 2011

PetLynx Corporation passes the 1 Million registered entities mark

CALGARY, 24 November 2010: PetLynx Corporation is pleased to announce that it has achieved a significant milestone in the emergence of its production database by registering the one millionth entity in its automated pet recovery service.

PetLynx is Canada’s only information network for storing companion animal information and manages Canada’s most recognizable pet services brand. PetLynx automated recovery services are used in more than 211 urban centers across the country and the company has received support to move forward with automating recovery and information services for the rest of Canada.
 

"I find it extremely gratifying that the companion animal industry has embraced the PetLynx concept of one secure and centralized animal record." said Larry Evans, President and CEO of PetLynx Corporation.  "We are so grateful for the assistance of our strategic allies in Canada: Procter & Gamble, Western Financial Insurance Company, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian Kennel Club, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada, Destron Fearing, CDMV and Ontario SPCA. It is through their support and encouragement that the achievement of this benchmark has been possible. They are a testament to the power of collaboration in this industry.”

In 2011, PetLynx Corporation will launch the HomeSafe® program which is another game changing innovation for the companion animal industry.  This industry wide collaboration is expected to bring together all of the stakeholders in each community to create a new understanding of compliance for pet parents and service providers alike.  The City of Edmonton has agreed to prototype the HomeSafe® programs and to track the benefits which can accrue to the pets and people of a more compliant community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cindy Kreutzer, PetLynx Corporation     (p) 403.219.1088        (e) cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com

Companion Animal Industry Embraces Change

5th Annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies leaves delegates feeling optimistic

Collective compassion and a forward-thinking spirit of collaboration was the foundation for discussions at the 5th Annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) held at Lake Louise, Alberta, 13 – 16 October 2010.

Over the course of the four days, more than 80 delegates attended a series of presentations, networking sessions and an open forum that provided opportunities to share ideas, set goals, form new alliances and consider various strategies to develop National Codes of Conduct for homing animals in urban municipalities. The event was deemed a great success with delegates from across Canada returning to their respective communities full of enthusiasm and optimism that the state-of-the-art in urban animal strategies is about to undergo a revolutionary change.

The overall success and spirit of collaboration fostered at the Summit can be summed up by comments received from delegates:

• The Summit is always a highlight for the year for our organization!
• I come away from the Summit rejuvenated and ready to tackle new projects. 
• Networking is extremely important to further improve our own programs. It provides the   opportunity to see what works … and what does not.
• Right people, right info, right time!  We are poised to work together to have true impact.I look forward to everyone reporting on our accomplishments at the next Summit. 
• Hats off to the PetLynx team for creating the environment and opportunity. 
• This was the best Summit to date and reflects a growing respect within the industry.

Petsecure Pet Insurance's 'FURther the Fight' Campaign

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Petsecure pet insurance is joining the fight against pet cancer with their November Pet Cancer Awareness Month campaign, ‘FURther the Fight’, on Facebook and Twitter ... and PetLynx Corporation is pleased to be able to help them promote this campaign!

For every new fan to join their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter in the month of November, Petsecure pet insurance will donate $1 to the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pet Trust Fund, towards pet cancer research.

Cats need our help ... this is the help they need!

THE OPPORTUNITY: Care for Cats and the Year of the Cat are the first major initiatives resulting from ideas born at the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. This national program will enable all sectors of the companion animal industry to work together to tackle the cat overpopulation crisis while raising the social status and value of cats in our communities.

Care for Cats is a long-term project that will respond to the cat overpopulation crisis by creating and distributing public education programs and support materials, encouraging community collaboration across all industry sectors; providing accurate resources; and collecting and evaluating national metrics to measure success.

  We cannot expect to completely solve the cat crisis in a single year. Care for Cats was formed ... Year of the Cat is its first project.
 Launch date: January 2011.

2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Gets Rave Reviews

Building in an extra day for the 2010 International Summit For Urban Animal Strategies allowed for the introduction of a new forum for discussion and delegate interaction called 'Open Spaces.' The day-long networking/team-building/collaboration exercise was lead by certified executive coach and leadership development facilitator, Karen Dawson, Create Now Inc.

Karen encouraged Summit delegates to identify issues that needed further discussion, commitment and action, then invited participants to break off into groups to address each topic. Subjects of intense discussion included everything from increasing the value of cats in our society, to developing national codes of conduct for animal homing, reduced cost spay/neuter programs and much more.

"As a result of these Open Spaces discussions, delegates left the Summit empowered and optimistic," says Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation. "We feel confident the companion animal industry is on the cusp of great change. Facilitating collaboration and opening the lines of communication across the various sectors is the catalyst for this change."

Talented Dogs Help this Video go Viral!

Social media was one of the topics of discussion at the 2010 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. The keynote speaker for Saturday morning was Mike Dover, co-author of the book Wikibrands: Re-inventing your Company is a Customer Driven Marketplace and Managing Partner at Social Struct Advisory Group. Dover showed some superb examples of how social media has been used to promote a product or service and even settle disputes with service providers. (Much to the dismay of the companies portrayed in those videos!)

Perhaps the undisputed master of viral Web success is the band OK Go. The indie band is huge on the Internet. Their breakout viral video showed band members deftly swinging between running treadmills. Their latest video features a choreographed dance with dogs and is absolutely remarkable!! With more than 6.5 million views to date it is a 'viral video' you need to catch!

The reason for their online success? According to Ok Go's lead singer Damian Kulash, it's simple. "Mostly because we're awesome," he said with a laugh.

I think the amazing dogs  -- all of them shelter rescues -- are also a contributing factor! 
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW

Posted by Terri Perrin ~ Online Communications Editor