InfoStream Newsmakers of 2012

2012 was an exciting year for the companion animal industry. Many companies and organizations welcomed new faces, the 2012 Regional Summits and 2012 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies were delivered and successful in bringing together industry leaders who are, in turn, working together to create a healthy and collaborative communities for pets and pet families. 

Here are a few of the highlights from 2012: 

VCA Antech buys Associate Veterinary Clinics - VCA Antech purchased AVC, which has some 40 clinics in Canada including critical care and specialty services. The transaction brought VCA's financial commitment to about $75.5 million. 

Nancy Carey's stint as CKC Executive Director - Carey accepted the executive director position with the Canadian Kennel Club in January 2012 and unexpectedly vacated the same position 10 months later.

Randy Valpy announces newly created pet health insurance division of RSA - Shortly after leaving Western Financial Insurance, Valpy announced RSA's intention to break into the pet insurance market. Further details on this exciting venture will be available later this month. 

Dog and Cat breeder regulations were introduced into BC legislature - Industry leaders commented on these groundbreaking regulations, giving them the official nod of approval.  

Industry leaders voted that Animal Welfare is an essential ethical element of everyone involved with companion animals - The four sectors of the companion animal industry were recreated to fall under one singular 'Animal Welfare' umbrella.  

Summit 2012 winners announced - Industry organizations, agencies and individuals nominated for the Summit Awards eagerly awaited the results of this prestigious award ceremony. 

2012 Pet Trends - Pet trends of 2012 included natural and organic food and toys, high tech pet products, spa treatments and businesses for pets and vehicle safety devices for pets. Research showed that the companion animal industry is a thriving market. 

Summit 2012 Delegate Survey results announced - Attendees of Summit 2012 provided positive feedback for the annual Industry gathering. Conversations started at Summit 2012 will be the theme for Summit 2013 - Delivering an Awesome Pet Experience in the Modern Urban Lifestyle.

Thank you to everyone who made this a successful year. Your collaborative efforts, forward thinking and commitment to the industry will undoubtedly lead to an even more successful 2013. 

Happy New Year! 

Summit 2012 Delegate Survey Results Announced

Summit 2012 was hosted at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada October 10 - 13, 2012. The Vision of the Summit is to gather executive level thought leaders who can advance the state of the art in urban animal strategies. The mission is to promote strategies that build healthy communities for pets and people and to recognize those who achieve success.

A formal opinion poll was sent out to all attending delegates, with a respondent rate of 61%.

Highlights from Summit 2012 Delegate Survey:

• Promoting the Pet Experience (36%), Animal Care and Control (27%), The Summit Foundation (27%), and First Nations (24%) conversations were the most highly attended conversations.
• Promoting the Pet Experience (53%) was the topic a majority of attendees supported for the next national initiative.
• Active collaborator was the most popular role (29%).
• Sixty-one percent of participants felt strongly that the Summit Program should include discussions of the values that urban animals contribute to the human experience.
• Participants were neutral to slightly negative regarding the idea that a decrease in animal population was a positive trend for the companion animal industry.
• Overall satisfaction with the Summit was highly rated. Attendees were also very pleased with on-site facilities.
• Summit 2012 participants were highly likely to recommend attending the Summit to others.
• This year’s theme of Animal Sourcing was perceived as relevant, yet compared to past years perhaps less so.
• Attendees agreed that the Summit will move the industry forward.
• The majority of this year’s participants had attended in the past and almost two out of every three anticipated attending next year.
• The vast majority of attendees had been to last year’s Summit. About two out of three had been in 2010. About one out of three had attended in 2008 and 2009.
• Important conversations from breakout groups were most highly rated. Documentation of the Friday Forum conversations continues to require improvement.
• Networking opportunities were most highly rated. Tools from the Summit to accomplish one’s job more effectively, was less so.
• Highest ratings went to the briefing book and online registration while the alumni section of TSUAS.com was less highly rated.
• Networking opportunities (84%) and contribution to industry strategies (71%) were the two most common reasons why people attended Summit 2012. 
• Educational requirement spiked this year (63%) compared to previous years.
• OpenSpace and Free Reign Conversations were highlights of the Summit Program for most respondents.
• Highest ratings went to the definition of categories; the clarity of the nomination process was less highly rated. 

There were 38 survey respondents of the following demographic profile:

• Gender: 53% Female, 47% Male
• Age: 11% 20-29 years old, 21% 30-39 years old, 34% 40-49 years old, 24% 50-59 years old, 11% 60-69 years old
• Industry: 34% Animal Services, 24% Animal Health and Wellness, 24% Animal Care and Control, 18% Animal Humane and Rescue
• Executive Level: 29% C-Level Executive, 32% Senior Management, 18% Middle Management, 21% Other
• Role at Summit: 63% Delegate/Alumni, 21% Speaker/Facilitator, 8% Sponsor, 8% Production/Crew

Copies of the complete survey report are available at a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

Nova Scotia SPCA and Pets Unlimited recognized for re-homing strategies and offsite adoption partnership

For the third year in a row, the Nova Scotia SPCA received international recognition in the form of a Summit award at the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.

As a result of a unique partnership penned between NSSPCA and Pets Unlimited where the Society has become the sole source of animals for the retail outlet, mills in the area have closed, capacity has increased and animal care standards have increased. For this reason, the NSSPCA and Pets Unlimited were awarded the Animal Homing Summit for 2012. 

This Summit, presented by IAMS Canada, seeks to recognize an organization that demonstrates innovation, commitment and extraordinary effort in homing animals through adoption, sale and fostering programs.

Previous awards have been awarded to NSSPCA in the categories of Animal Wellness (2010), Education (2010), Leadership (2010) and Communications (2011). 

The Nova Scotia SPCA received international recognition as recipient of the Animal Homing Award at the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, held recently in Alberta. The Society was recognized for its innovative re-homing strategies and offsite adoption partnership with Pets Unlimited. Holding the Award are Nova Scotia SPCA Executive Director, Kristin Williams and Jim Harrison, Vice President, Pets Unlimited.   

Summit - Promoting the pet experience, roles and responsibilities

Dr. Drew Van Niekerk and Dr. Cheryl Yuill invite you to continue the Summit OpenSpace Forum discussion ‘Promoting the pet experience, roles and responsibilities’ via a webinar, tomorrow Tuesday, October 30 at 9 a.m. MST. 

Please forward your email to Dr. Yuill who will provide you with the webinar details. 

cyuill@wightman.ca

Stay in the know with PetLynx

Summit photos available online

PetLynx team members had cameras in hand to capture moments from the 2012 Summit. Our photos are available to the public for view and download on Picasa. 

Thanks again to all participating alumni, speakers, facilitators and especially to the Summit's sponsors. This year's event certainly set the bar for the 2013 Summit!  

VIEW THE 2012 SUMMIT PHOTOS

2012 Summit Award Winners

This year, the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies celebrated achievement. With special attention paid to the 2012 Summer Olympics, the atmosphere created at the event was one of collaboration, recognition and respect. The 2012 Summit Awards focused on recognizing those within the companion animal value chain who are achieving success. 

Dozens of nominations in 12 categories were filed by Summit Alumni and at the Awards Gala on 12 October 2012, winners were announced to the industry. 

Animal Homing Summit Award

Nova Scotia SPCA

Animal Sheltering Summit Award

Regina Humane Society

Animal Wellness Summit Award

Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition 

Community Compliance Summit Award

Edmonton Humane Society

Community Collaboration Summit Award

Lower Mainland Regional Animal Control Committee - 21 Communities from Squamish to Chilliwack

Communication Summit Award

Ontario SPCA

Distinguished Service Provider Summit Award

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society

Product or Service Innovation Summit Award

Hill's Pet Nutrition - Food, Shelter, Love Program

Responsible Breeder Summit Award

Starstruck Labradors 

Retailer Summit Award

Petland

Individual Achievement Summit Award

Esther Attard, Toronto Animal Services 

Lifetime Achievement Summit Award

Bill Bruce, City of Calgary

2012 Summit Smooth Sailing

Day one of the 2012 International Summits for Urban Animal Strategies is wrapping up. Seventy alumni and delegates are gathered at the Chateau Lake Louise to network, problems solve and learn. 

Beautiful Lake Louise and our "office" for the duration of the Summit

Today's Speaker Sessions featured eight presentations ranging from all four sectors of the companion animal industry. A few of the topics covered included: cat statistics, future projections for the care of cats and overpopulation solutions; veterinary care and it's need to catch up to the digital age of communication; bridging the gap between vets and pet owners and; collaboration across the industry. 

The Victoria Room - Location for Summit Sessions, meals and the Awards Gala

 Tonight the Summit turns its attention to collaboration - a key theme emerging from ISUAS conversations. The Collaborator's Dinner will highlight four collaboration success stories and encourage industry leaders to remember that: 

"It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." - Charles Darwin

CFHS's Barbara Cartwright takes the ISUAS outside to 'chat cats' (and enjoy the scenery)

Collaboration Celebrated at Summit's Dinner

Thursday night's dinner at the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies will showcase one of the most important aspects of the companion animal industry - Collaboration. 

Highlighted in several InfoStream blog posts, collaboration is critical in creating healthy communities for pets and pet families. In fact, collaboration not only brings all four sectors of animal welfare together, it also breeds commitment and responsibility in all involved parties which, in turn, promotes awareness and understanding across the industry and for the general public. 

This year's Collaborator's Dinner, sponsored by Western Financial Insurance Company, shines a spotlight on four exceptional Collaboration thought leaders: 

• Kristin Williams - moving new animals through retailers
• Andrea McDonald - refactoring of animal services in the City of Coquitlam
• Elizabeth Glibbery - telling the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition story
• Liz O'Brien - update of Care for Cats, accomplishments to date and thoughts for the future 

In the past year, retailers have moved toward an adoption model, the value of cats has continued to rise and communities have experienced more collaborative activities than ever. Come celebrate these industry successes. 

Registration is still open for the 2012 ISUAS. A limited number of packages are also available for anyone wishing to attend specific events. 

REGISTER TO JOIN THE ISUAS CONVERSATIONS

2012 Summit Awards Gala and Weekend Escape

With participation from the our 2012 Sponsors and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, we are pleased to offer the most affordable Summit Weekend Escape package yet. Spend the weekend in Lake Louise, attend the Summit Awards Gala and visit with Summit Alumni from across North America.

ISUAS organizers are offering a few special packages for industry members in the area who would like to attend the Summit Awards Gala & Dinner on 12 October 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

The Summit 2012 Gala Escape Package, includes: 

• Awards Gala dinner and entertainment - featuring Jason that Funny Magic Guy and special guests (valued at $150 each)
• Accommodation in Fairmont Level Room (valued at $329)
• Executive Breakfast with Keynote Speaker - featuring Ian Green of Trone Brand Energy (valued at $100 each)

A limited number of of packages are available for the special price of $290 (single occupancy) and $395 (double occupancy). 

Other packages are also available for this exciting gathering of companion animal thought leaders. For more information or to register for one of these events, please contact: 

Larry Evans   

403-921-5900

or 

Danielle Chisholm

403-968-0421

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

2012 Welcomes new Delegates to ISUAS

Several new delegates will be attending the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies and joining industry thought leaders for a series of industry-based presentations, sessions and conversations. 

Congratulations to Heather Newell, City of Saskatoon; Margaret Kordas, PJ's Pets; and Clarence Nelson, Enforcement Services, Leduc County. These three nominated delegates have been selected by their peers to attend Summit 2012 and join 220 of their industry colleagues as Summit Alumni. 

Other delegates that will be added to the Summit Alumni, include Andrea McDonald, Elizabeth Glibbery, Kevin Murphy, Ian Greene, Karen Felsted and Tom Trifaux. These individuals have been invited by their peers because of their extensive industry knowledge to fill Speaker, Facilitator and/or Director roles at Summit 2012. 

Attendance at the ISUAS is limited to Summit alumni, nominated delegates, award recipients and future thought leaders. This exclusive event brings industry stakeholders together to encourage collaboration throughout the four sectors of animal welfare and creates healthier communities for pets and pet families. 

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry!

2012 Summit Awards Nominees Announced!

Over the past months, Summit Alunmi carefully selected organizations, individuals, and agencies that displayed outstanding commitment in the companion animal industry to be recognized at the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Awards Gala. 

Collaboration, responsibility, communication and compassion are just a few of the efforts nominees are commended for during this peer recognition ceremony where industry leaders reward contributions that move and improve all four sectors. 

Nominees for the 2012 ISUAS Awards are: 

Animal Homing

• Petland Canada
• Nova Scotia SPCA, Kristin Williams

Animal Sheltering

• Alberta Animal Services
• Regina SPCA, Lisa Koch

Community Collaboration 

• John Greer, Welland & District SPCA
• Kristin Williams, Nova Scotia SPCA
• John Gray, Vancouver Animal Control
• Nancy Cressmen, Kitchener-Waterloo Humane 

Communications 

• Shandell VanHell, Calgary Humane Society
• Alison Cross, Ontario SPCA

Distinguished Service Provider

• Tammy Hornak, Grand River Vet Hospital
• Nancy Cressmen, Kitchener-Waterloo Humane

Product or Service Innovation 

• Coquitlam Animal Shelter
• Hill's Pet Nutrition 
• Martin Mills

Responsible Breeder

• Champagne Standard Schnauzers
• Starstruck Labradors

Retailer

• Petland 
• Pet World
• Planet Paws
• Tisol Pet Supplies

Individual Achievement 

• Esther Attard
• David Farran

Lifetime Achievement 

• Bill Bruce 
• Lisa Koch

Nominees in the Animal Wellness and Community Compliance categories win by acclamation. Congratulations to the Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition and Edmonton Humane Society for your awards in these respective categories. 

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

Bateman awarded 2012 Future Thought Leader Scholarship

The ISUAS Nominating Committee awards Shane Bateman the 2012 Future Thought Leader Scholarship. For his wide-ranging past experience in the companion animal industry and his extensive volunteer work as a veterinary specialist, Bateman received three separate nominations for this Scholarship.

Bateman is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, a past professor at Ohio State University, president of Guelph Humane Society and participates in the veterinary outreach care program in Hamilton. Bateman provides veterinary and public health programs to First Nations communities like Six Nations in Caledonia and is establishing a program at Kettle and Stony Point. 

The Future Thought Leadership Scholarship program was established to provide future leaders with a hand-up and mentoring experience for their careers. The scholarship is valued at $2,000 to offset the costs of travel and Summit registration. 

The 2012 Future Thought Leadership Scholarship was sponsored by Randy Valpy and the folks at Royal Sun Alliance.

MORE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

From University of Guelph archives

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

Summit Session V focuses on industry-wide collaboration cultivated by changes in the Animal Services and Retail sector

The greatest transition in retail history took place during 2011/2012, when most major pet retailers moved toward an adoption model highlighting collaboration with agencies in Animal Humane & Rescue and/or Animal Care and Control. Does the evidence show this was a beneficial move for animals and communities?  Are there unintended consequences to be addressed? How will retail stores and service providers contribute to the industry as the future develops? The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC) shows us how their role is undergirding the industry in new and exciting ways. 

PIJAC Canada's Susand Dankert and Louis McCann have extensive experience in the companion animal industry. Together, they will spearhead a Summit Session and thought process based on how the Animal Services and Retail sector are collaborating with Animal Humane and Rescue and what the future holds for both as we move forward to make safer and happier communities for pets and people. 

Susan Dankert, communications coordinator for PIJAC Canada, began her career in the pet industry in 2001. With a background in broadcasting, she has a drive to share the story of the industry with media, legislators, pet owners and all pet organizations. Dankert believes engagement between pet sectors improves how the industry functions, resulting in the enhancement of pet well-being.

Louis McCann has spent close to 40 years working in the companion animal industry. For over 20 years, he has served as the Executive Director for PIJAC and has become a lead advocate representing the interests of pet businesses in Canada, including: manufacturers, distributors, retailers and pet care service providers. McCann views cooperation over confrontation as the ultimate path to progress, this is why he has worked tirelessly to advance standards surrounding the care and health of pets everywhere. 

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

2013 Summit conversations under review

The 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is the 7^th Annual gathering of companion animal industry leaders.  During the past six years the Summit program has earned a reputation as an agent of change, the facilitator of trust and an important forum for industry conversations.  Summit alumni and associates continue to be a remarkable force for collaboration in their communities and industry sectors.  They have delivered important initiatives and provided recognition to those of their peers who achieved success.

Each year, immediately prior to the Summit, a panel of industry leaders convenes to discuss future activities and themes for the Summit program. The 2012 panel gathering will incorporate changes that will make this year's discussion more compelling: 

• The start time has been moved to 12 p.m. (noon), Wednesday, 10 October 2012. Panelists will enjoy lunch for 30 minutes and the discussion will begin at 12:30. 
• Panelists have been limited to involve the executives of organizations making up the NCAC and a few leaders who have actively carried Summit conversations throughout the year. 

Summit Alumni and delegates are invited to provide thoughtful suggestions prior to the meeting of the panel by getting involved in the Summit's LinkedIn Group. 

VISIT THE SUMMIT LINKEDIN GROUP

Thanks to the comments and ideas brought forth by this group of industry stakeholders, the Summit of 2012 and of years past are successful and insightful. 

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

Industry Achievements Showcased at Summit Awards Gala

The Summer of 2012 featured the celebration of sport at the London Olympics with more spectators around the globe than ever before. On Friday, 12^th of October, the companion animal industry will come together to celebrate those who have achieved success with activities in each of 11 categories.  The Summit Gala is always a highlight of this annual industry gathering in the Victoria Ball Room of the Chateau Lake Louise.

The 2012 Summit Gala, co-sponsored by the IAMS brand of Procter and Gamble, will feature award winning Olympic clips from P&G activities to support the mothers of Olympians. The Olympic movement rewards individual achievements with medals and peerage within each sport. To have qualified in a sport and to be an Olympian is recognized around the world. The Summit Awards are determined by industry peers using criteria vetted by the Summit Alumni. The top four nominations in each category are determined by the Summit Nominating committee and presented to the Summit Alumni who vote by secret ballot to select the winner of each Summit Award. The Alumni learn who has won the Award when the envelope is opened and the Nominee is called to the stage at the Awards Gala. The entire process is conducted transparently online. 

VIEW SUMMIT NOMINATIONS PAGE ON THE PETLYNX WIKI

Tom Trifaux, Director Western Canada for Canadian Management Centre, President of HeadStart Marketing and Grey Cup alumnus, is the director of the 2012 Summit Awards Gala. The Summit Vision is to develop strategies that produce healthy communities for pets and people, and to recognize those who execute these strategies to achieve success in each community. Tom and his production team will lead the 2012 Summit Award Gala to celebrate achievement across the companion animal industry.

The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies has developed an overnight package for those who live close by or plan to be in the area on Friday, 12 October.  

REGISTER ONLINE TO JOIN THIS CELEBRATION 

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry! 

2012 OpenSpace Sessions set to move the Industry

The 2012 OpenSpace Session in the Victoria Room of the Chateau Lake Louise on Friday, October 12, is designed to provoke dialogue between thought leaders of the companion animal industry. 

Through these conversations, the industry develops strategies and evolves to meet changing times, ideas, technologies and obstacles. In addition to conversations that may arise from the ‘facts and evidence’ Sessions on Thursday, key industry stakeholders are bringing forward seven primary conversations:

2012.A  George Potter – The CEO of Alberta Animal Services revives a conversation initiated in 2007 to organize a National Organization for the Professionals who enforce and investigate on behalf of pets and people in our communities. A leading question – How do we encourage national standards and increase respect for the role of these professionals in our communities?

2012.B  Dr. Liz O’Brien – The CEO of Cats clinics in Hamilton and the National spokesperson for the 2011 Year of the Cat initiative, explores taking the Care for Cats movement to the next level. A leading question - How do we make the national cat initiative sustainable in our communities over the long term?

2012.C  Larry Evans – Creating a non-profit vessel for industry collaborations and national initiatives. A leading question – How could a Summit Foundation operate, be governed and determine the industry consensus for the funds supplied to these initiatives?

2012.D  Kate MacDonald – Chief Executive Officer of OSPCA has been exploring how Humane and Rescue organizations can change to be effective and sustainable both now and in the future. Leading questions include: What will these organization look like? What will change in their mandate?  How will they be funded?

2012.E  Drew Van Niekerk – A Nationally recognized Veterinarian helped develop Canada’s largest practice aggregator. Drew is thinking about the gap between what veterinarians and service providers provide and what pet owners want. A leading question – What changes will be necessary for the industry to deliver the healthcare and experience pet families desire?

2012.F  Kristin Williams – Executive Director of the Nova Scotia SPCA has been thinking about how governance can be improved in the Humane and Rescue sector.  A leading question – How can we attract board members and provision them to be successful understanding the organization, the core objectives and their role in governance?

2012.G  Louis McCann – The Executive Director of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada [PIJAC Canada] has been thinking about the role of member retailers and service providers in each community.  Leading questions include: As we move toward social media and the experience economy, what are the new roles for these service providers in our communities?  How can we move toward these roles without creating unintended consequences for the industry and the pet families we serve?

Throughout these conversations, topics may arise and gain the support of delegates during the opening session on Friday. The vision for OpenSpace is to embrace evidence and develop strategies needed in our communities, our regions and our industry. Outcomes produced may include recommendations for the organizations that govern our industry, toolkits for the agencies that support pet families in our communities and/or a consensus for priorities that can be supported by all stakeholders in the industry.

Visit these conversations online in the LinkedIn Summit Group to add your comments and perspective.

SUMMIT LINKEDIN GROUP

Get the facts, have your say, move the industry!