Red Deer Food Bank and Alberta Animal Services Working Together

On June 9th Alberta Animal Services and the Red Deer Food Bank have joined Pets of the Homeless. Pets of the Homeless is a North American effort to provide donated pet food to locals that are unable to afford food for their pets. Millions of North Americans become homeless each years and numbers increase when the economy does poorly. Most homeless people are only without for a short period of time however it is more difficult for those with pets.

People may be forced to give up their pet or remain on the streets. Pets provide companionship and unconditional love. Approximately 25% of homeless and disadvantaged people have a pet. Pets of the Homeless supports the pets.

Pet food may be donated to Alberta Animal Services at 4640 61 Street Red Deer AB or at their Adoption Centre Located inside the Red Deer Petland. For more information call 403-347-2388. The disadvantaged can obtain assistance and pet food at the Red Deer Food Bank 7429 49 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4P 1N2 (403) 346-1505.

Integrated Retail Adoption Centre reaches milestone

The partnership between Petland Red Deer and Alberta Animal Services reached an important milestone yesterday when it reached 1,000 rescued animal adoptions. 

READ MORE: Erica Coomber and Amy Pawson on Integrated Retail Adoption

The journey began in 2011 when the two organizations developed a plan to integreate retail and adoption at the Red Deer Centre. Last year, Petland funded a full-serivce adoption centre for adoptable Alberta Animal Services animals at its Red Deer location. 

READ MORE: Alberta partnership features on OSPCA Pawdcast 

Cherry, a 3-month-old brown tabby kitten, marked the milestone adoption. Her adoptee, Andrea, was sent home with a gift basket and $100 Petland gift card. 

Innovation Showcases Revealed for Prairie Conference!

Innovation is thriving in the Prairie region. Volunteers, collaboration and commitment to the community sum up the 2014 Innovation Showcase lineup for Calgary. 

Off-leash Ambassadors - Cheryl Herperger (City of Calgary)

Imagine: a volunteer-based program enabling ‘ambassadors’ to educate the general public about rules and etiquette for using off-leash dog parks.

Tails of Help – Jennifer Williams (ABVMA)

Imagine: a program providing veterinary care to Alberta pet owners facing financial hardship.

Air Angels – Jane Russett

Imagine: a unique collaboration between animal rescue organizations and WestJet employees created to transport rescue and service animals across the country.

NWT Shelter Exchange - Dezerae Jenkins (Alberta Animal Services)

Imagine: Connecting over-capacity humane and rescue organizations in the far north with available homes in Central Alberta.

To register for a Conference in your region, CLICK HERE. 

If you have not received an affiliate voucher code (valued at $100 towards Conference Subscription), please contact Lisa Milton at 403-809-4630 or Shannon Woodward at 403-208-1972. 

Collaboration Chips Cats!

Erica Coomber
InfoStream Guest Author

The proof that collaboration is alive and well in our community was proven this past weekend during the First Annual Free Feline Microchip Clinic held in Red Deer, AB. 

Red Deer & District SPCA, Whisker Rescue Society of Alberta and Alberta Animal Services joined forces to offer up a Free Microchip Clinic for cats in our community. 

"The overwhelming public response was simply incredible. The three important animal welfare agencies in our area have proven that working together in our community with pets and people can truly be a great thing," said George Potter, CAO, Alberta Animal Services. 

When the clinic opened at 9:30 a.m., lineups extended out the door. By the end of the day, the clinic microchipped more than 200 cats. 

"We at Whisker Rescue want to extend our deepest gratitude to Alberta Animal Services and the Red Deer & District SPCA for including us in this wonderful and positive event," said Stacy Worobetz, Founding Executive Director, Whisker Rescue. "This was our first time helping at a microchip clinic and we were so happy to see the large turnout an all the thankful and responsible pet owners. We hope to be a part of many more to come."

The clinic was spearheaded by the trio of organizations but support and donations took place behind the scenes as well, said Erica Coomber, Shelter Administrator for Alberta Animal Services. Eidap Inc. provided hundreds of microchips for the event and PetLynx offered up Lifetime Recovery Subscriptions with every procedure. Hill's Science Diet also donated bags of treats to hand out to cat owners. 

"The Red Deer & District SPCA is proud to work in collaboration with Whisker Rescue and Alberta Animal Services to offer this important service to our community," said Tara Hellewell, Executive Director, Red Deer & District SPCA. "There is a great demand placed on all of our organizations to provide costly support and care to so many stray & abandoned cats. Through the support of community sponsors and caring volunteers, we can be sure that more lost cats make it back to their owners." 

Dezerae Jenkins, Alberta Animal Services & Peter, Whisker Rescue
Photo courtesy of Alberta Animal Services

Erica Coomber and Amy Pawson on 'Integrated Retail Adoption Centres'

Amy Pawson, Director of Operations of Petland Canada Company Store Division in Calgary, and Erica Coomber, Shelter Administrator, Alberta Animal Services in Red Deer, work in a spirit of collaboration and innovation to operate a pet adoption program that is making a significant difference in their community and beyond. We are thrilled that they will deliver the Integrated Retail Adoption Centres Keynote address at the 2014 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies in Toronto and Halifax. We can hardly wait to hear about their most recent developments, so we invited Infostream Guest Author Terri Perrin to ask them for a program update. 

Infostream (IS): Please give us an overview of your program and how your organizations came to work together.

Erica Coomber (EC): I met Robert Brissette, President of Petland Canada, at the 2011 Regional Summit for Urban Animal Strategies held in Red Deer. Robert spoke about how Petland was no longer going to be selling puppies and kittens and how he wanted to work with local animal shelters to re-home pets. I jumped at the opportunity! Alberta Animal Services transferred their first adoptable pets to the Red Deer Petland’s existing facilities in May 2011.

In 2012/13, Petland built the current in-store adoption centre that has 12 dog and 12 cat runs. It opened in May 2013. Alberta Animal Services has four dedicated adoption specialists managing this location and we average 30+ adoptions per month. The program is so successful that we partner with rescue agencies across Alberta and the North West Territories, to transfer in dogs from other areas.

Amy Pawson (AP): Petland decided to adapt our kennel area and provide space for community rescue partnerships in all of our company stores locations across Canada. This was new territory for us and we didn’t know what to expect or who would partner.

We had the opportunity to attending the Regional and National Summits; this is where we met the team from Alberta Animal Services. It was definitely a highlight for us. We are thrilled with how the partnership with them has worked out. All of our locations now have in-store adoption programs. Each store is a little different, involving a variety of community partners.

IS: So the program can be replicated in other regions?

EC:  Absolutely! But it takes hard work, dedication and forward thinking. You can’t be afraid of change. I have to admit it was scary at first but I always kept the interest of my shelter animals in mind. No matter what, it is always about saving lives. It takes two to make it work … just like in a marriage.  We maintain our great working relationship by keeping in constant communication and, when situations arise, we come together to find solutions and work it out as a team.

AP: I agree and stress that, as our industry becomes more and more competitive, collaboration is the key to making these types of programs work.

IS: How would you suggest other organizations get started?

EC: Come to Red Deer and tour our adoption centre, then sit down with Amy and me. We can show you how it works. If you think this is something you can bring to your community, we can help you along the way.

AP:  Once you have the concept, reaching out to others who have successful programs as a resource is essential. Have a plan  to create a foundation and building blocks to bring it all together. There are a lot of things to work out… and much of it we have overcome through trial and error. I am open to collaborating with everyone because the purpose is to find homes for animals.

IS: You were part of the inaugural Innovation Showcase program and you presented at the 2013 Regional and Annual Summits for Urban Animal Strategies. Tell us a little about your respective experiences on this journey.

AP: Every Summit I have attended has been an excellent experience. Each year I get to know people better. Canada is large and so, to be able to share and gather ideas from each region, celebrate them, and capture the joy of pet ownership and why, at the end of the day, and break down barriers. The networking is, by far, the most valuable. You get to meet people that you may not have met otherwise, form partnerships and come together as an industry.  Speaking on behalf of Petland company stores, this would have been a different journey without the Summit experience. It would have been a lot harder to form the invaluable relationships.

EC: I was terrified to get up in front of my colleagues in the Animal Industry but after it was all over, and seeing that many of them support us — some even cried — that feeling of accomplishment was unforgettable. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed sharing our story. I am so excited to be presenting again this April. I want our program to be shared across Canada and, thanks to PetLynx and my peers who voted for us, we will be able to do that! PetLynx has a great team of people and I just love them all.

IS: What are you planning for your April 2014 Municipal Collaboration Keynote in Toronto and Halifax?

AP: Our first presentation was about the concept. Now we want to share the journey… the negatives and positives, the hard costs and operating challenges. There will be more statistics and it will be more detailed as to how we got this far and where we are going with it.

IS: What about your own personal Pet Experiences? We always love to hear what drives people’s individual passion for pets.

AP: I love animals – obviously! My passion started as a child. My father’s side of the family bred dogs and we had dogs, cats and hamsters growing up. I ended up in the pet industry because of this and secured a part time job at Petland. Fifteen years later I am still here! To see someone hold an animal for the first time is a great experience. It brings happiness to me. The human animal bond is amazing. I really believe that pets make life better!

EC: I have been passionate about animals since I was a little girl. I took in my first stray cat – Zoey – when I was six-years-old. She followed me home from school and I begged my parents to let me keep her. I will never forget that moment when I experienced my first bond with an animal. The feeling of love that a pet gives you is unexplainable. Since then, I have always looked out for animals and always helped them. I swear that I had my own animal shelter growing up! Thank God my parents accepted my love for animals. 

IS: How may our readers contact you?

Amy Pawson Amy.Pawson@petlandcanada.com 1-403-723-3818

Erica Coomber: coomber@riversidekennels.ca 1-866-340-2388 or 403-347-2388

IS: Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us. You are doing great work and are to be commended for your efforts.

2013/2014 Innovation Keynote RESULTS!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2013/2014 Innovation Keynote surveys! Earlier this month, the urban animal community cast ballots to elect the 2013Innovation Showcase they believe can and should be replicated in their region. The winners will present their innovation to delegates at the 2014 Regional Conferences in April. 

And the winners are... 

In the Central and Atlantic Regions: 

Municipal Collaboration led by Amy Pawson & Erica Coomber (Petland & Alberta Animal Services) - A unique partnership between retail and animal control that has raised funds, built an adoption centre and adopted out hundreds of pets. 

  

In the Prairie and Pacific Regions: 

Reducing Cat Admissions led by Judith Aubin & Tanya Firmage (Ontario SPCA) - The most populated province in Canada achieving a reduction in Cat admissions in the order of 18% by way of a high volume spay/neuter program with lower costs.

REGISTER NOW FOR A 2014 REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN YOUR AREA!

2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences - Central

Tuesday April 22, 2014 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM EDT

Toronto, Ontario

2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences - Atlantic

Thursday April 24, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ADT

Halifax, Nova Scotia

2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences - Prairie

Monday April 28, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MDT

Calgary, Alberta

2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences - Pacific

Wednesday April 30, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PDT

Vancouver, British Columbia

Selection of the Innovation Keynote will complete the first full cycle of the Innovation Program. The presentation of the Innovation project chosen for replication in each region is the crowning achievement. The vision to illuminate innovators and seed their innovation in communities across North America is now complete. 

Alberta partnership features on OSPCA Pawdcast

The partnership between Alberta Animal Services and Petland Red Deer continues to see adoption successes on many levels. And with the grand opening of an AAS Adoption Centre, located within the retail store's walls, on the horizon, success in the future is almost guaranteed. 

Amy Pawson of Petland and Erica Coomber of Alberta Animal Services sat down with Kevin MacKenzie, host of OSPCA's Animal's Voice Pawdcast last week to shed some light on the partnership and what the goals are for both organizations. 


This collaborative effort has been recognized by Urban Animal alumni throughout the years with a 2011 Summit Award for Community Collaboration as well as a nomination for a 2013 Summit Award for Sheltering. Both Amy and Erica were invited to present to Urban Animal subscribers during the 2013 Regional Innovation Showcase in Calgary and their address was nominated by their peers to showcase on a national level at the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. 

Lisa Milton featured on Critter Care

Lisa Milton with Robert Church on Critter Care,
November 4, 2013

Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Production Manager, Lisa Milton, starred in a 30 minute segment on Critter Care with Robert Church earlier this month to discuss PetLynx, innovation, the Urban Animal Conferences and the SUAS.

Lisa has been a driving force behind the SUAS, an international event that celebrates animal welfare innovations and promotes mindful pet communities through collaboration between all sectors of the pet industry. 

"It does bring together every sector of the industry," said Robert Church in the interview. "All kinds of people sitting down at the table saying 'how do we work together to solve these issues and raise the bar of animal care across the board'. Because every sector has its issues… and yet animal welfare is everybody's business." 

This segment simply describes the importance of the Summits and Urban Animal Conferences and their significance in bringing about a catalyst for change across the industry. As individual sectors, agencies, organizations and individuals realize the potential that collaboration can bring, we are seeing positive and progressive steps towards creating healthy communities for people and pets. 

"It's about building value into your animal and your pet experience," said Lisa. "If we can do that in any way, though the National Recovery Service, the Summit Conversations, the Summit Awards and most importantly, our partners in the industry, we're building a better experience for the people out there who own animals."

Critter Care with Robert Church is a half hour program airing weekly on Shaw Television Channel 10 in Calgary, Alberta. Every week features different guests and pets sharing their unique brand of animal knowledge. 

Alberta organizations offer aid to flood victims

Urban animal organizations across Southern Alberta opened their doors to aid in the housing and care of pets stranded by extensive flooding in the province. 

Calgary Humane Society, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) and Alberta Animal Services were among the dozens of shelters to provide boarding. 

Furthermore, AARCS and Pound Rescue volunteers assisted with the evacuation and rescue of pets in Siksika Nation where approximately 15 horses, four pigs and 20 dogs and cats were brought to dry land. 

Calgary Humane Society's website maintains space is still available for pets of  evacuated residents and encourages people to bring found animals to the shelter.

Stay dry and safe Alberta! 

Photo Credit

Regional Collaboration aims to find homes for shelter dogs

Alberta Animal Services is partnering with the NWT SPCA in Yellowknife to help find homes for dogs. 

Earlier this month, six dogs were transported from Yellowknife to Red Deer, AB. All dogs will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped by Alberta Animal Services before prior to being placed in the AAS Adoption Centre located in Red Deer Petland. 

The partnership between Alberta Animal Services and Red Deer Petland to adopt out rescue animals was introduced at the 2013 Regional Conference Innovation Showcase in Calgary and nominated by associates to present during the Summit 2013 Showcase Series in October. 

This three-way collaboration would be an excellent candidate for a 2013 Urban Animal Summit for Community Collaboration which recognizes outstanding achievement in the delivery of content programs, codes of conduct, best practices or a legislative framework delivered in a community or across the urban animal industry to create a healthier environment for pets and people. 

For more information about the NWT dogs or any animals up for adoption at Alberta Animal Services please visit the Adoption Centre located at 5250 22nd St. Red Deer or call AAS at 1-866-340-2388. 

SUMMIT 2013 NOMINATION FORM

REGISTER FOR SUMMIT 2013

Movember

Congratulations to Alberta Animal & Municipal Enforcement Services! Five members of the team took part in the annual Movember fundraising event and raised a total of $1,770 for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Research.  

Photos of the team's weekly mustache progress can be viewed on the Alberta Animal Services Facebook page.

Collaboration and Fundraising - critical elements of the companion animal industry

The companion animal industry is widely based on charity. The charity of those indirectly involved as well as the fundraising efforts of those directly involved in the sector. 

Fundraising events are critical to the success of the companion animal industry and would be difficult to orchestrate without the efforts of two or more willing parties. But with each successful event comes empowerment for industry leaders as well as engagement for pet families and the public, which creates a unique opportunity to generate awareness and bring attention to the world of pets.

Examples of these collaboration of efforts can be found across the world, throughout the year: 

• In August, Alberta Animal Services (AAS) officers took part in a Special Olympics fund raising event that amassed a total of $22,000.

Alberta Animal Services officers at a Special Olympics fundraiser in August.

• On 19 September 2012, AAS teamed up with Red Deer Petland to host a 100th Grey Cup fund raising barbeque. All cats were available for adoption for $100. The event was a smashing success, raising $1,425 to help fund surgery for Patience, a dog whose femur was broken when she was hit by a car. Petland was also grateful for an opportunity to highlight its relationship with Alberta Animal Services. 
• On the same day, PedigreeⓇ hosted its fifth annual adoption driver campaign in Toronto to raise awareness for shelter dogs and adoption. the Pedigree Adoption DriverⓇ has raised upwards of $1 million since its inception, enabling the 30 PedigreeⓇ partner shelters to use the donations for items they require including medical needs, food, blankets, toys and operating expenses. 

Many organizations recognize the need for these efforts and go the extra mile to ensure the industry's success.And each and every one works towards creating a healthier community for pets and people.

Summit - Community Collaboration Award

In an ever changing industry, one thing remains certain. The future is collaborative. When two or more organizations come together for the benefit of the companion animal community, the ISUAS recognizes them with a Community Collaboration award. 

Presented by PetLynx Corporation, this award recognizes outstanding achievement in the delivery of content programs, codes of conduct, best practices or a legislative framework delivered in a community or across the companion animal industry to create a healthier environment for pets and people. A minimum of two organizations must be nominated for this award. 

NOMINATION FORM

In 2011, it was the Calgary Humane Society and Alberta Animal Services that stood out most to the nominating committee. These two agencies collaborate on a regular basis with a program they call "Highway of Hope." The program involves the City of Calgary, 30 communities in south, central and northern Alberta and the City of Red Deer. The program allows for the transfer of dogs and cats between the agencies and increases the exposure of adoptable animals beyond regional limits helping to maximize adoptions. 

ALBERTA ANIMAL SERIVES WEBSITE

CALGARY HUMANE SOCIETY

Summit - Call for Association of Animal Service Professionals

Late in July, Summit Alumnus and CEO of Alberta Animal Services (AAS), George Potter, called for organizers to re-activate a Summit conversation started in 2007. At that time, Tim Dack, director of Winnipeg Animal Services led a conversation which formed a National Planning Committee comprised of Potter, Bill Bruce, Calgary Animal Services; Lynn Gordon, Ottawa Humane; and David Leeb, Edmonton Animal Care and Control. Together with colleague Bradley Larsen, Potter has offered to facilitate this conversation at the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.

From today's perspective, the timing of George's request is ironic. Week 32 was a tough week for those involved in bylaw enforcement for Animal Care and Control. On Friday, 10 August 2012, a peace officer in Alberta met an untimely end while investigating an animal call at the ranch of a notorious dog breeder in the Municipal District of Foothills.

For this reason, the need for a national professional organization has never been more on the minds of bylaw enforcement professionals. Earlier this week, the Summit archive materials were turned over to Potter so he can reopen this conversation. This important discussion will take place on Friday, 12 October 2012. 

Those wishing to participate are invited to comment via the LinkedIn Summit Group so the OpenSpace Conversation at Lake Louise is structured for a successful conclusion.

LINKEDIN SUMMIT GROUP

REGISTER FOR ISUAS

Alberta Animal Services Launches New Website

Alberta Animal Services have now launched a new and improved website, June 19, 2012. 

The intent was to provide a user friendly and modernized site, that provides a variety of accessible information for pet families in Alberta, such as an improved donation and adoption page.

View the New Alberta Animal Services Website

The Regional Summits - Collaboration at its finest

After attending the 2011 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies in Red Deer, AB, Alberta Animal Services (AAS) and Petland began the start of a new partnership.

Together, AAS and Petland compared their visions, and took it to the next level by partnering for an in-store adoption space for AAS animals. Petland held the in-store event in mid February of 2012 to promote responsible pet ownership through pet identification, awareness of AAS and the in-store adoption partnership. The event was a huge success, raising close to $2,000 with all donations distributed to AAS to reduce animal over population through spay and neuter programs.

“In many ways it’s because of the collaboration that Petlynx Corporation has done through the Regional Summit, has opened this door for both Petland and our organization - without a question,” said George Potter, Chief Administrating Officer of Alberta Animal Services.

“Over the years, the National and Regional Summits have continued to show the importance of meeting people in industry and it has helped our organization move forward by leaps and bounds.

“We are all very excited where this has already taken us and for what the future holds for us in this Collaborative relationship.”

With this new collaboration in mind, Potter said AAS and Petland will be headed to Dallas, Texas in the coming weeks to visit a number of stores that currently have permanent adoption centre’s to get a better understanding of the process of construction that will soon take place in the Red Deer location.

“I have to say, this new initiative has totally changed our organization and we are so looking forward to the future with Petland,” Potter expressed. “Without having any of the in-store adoption centre facility built yet in Red Deer, we have already adopted out 43 cats and dogs in a two-month period.

“I can’t even imagine the adoptions once we have the Alberta Animal Services Adoption Centre open in the Red Deer store. It is certainly changing the face of Animal Control in our area and will for many years to come - what a great story this will be!”

An interview with Petland’s, Amy Pawson

Petland “Share the Love” Donation Sticker Campaign a Success

Petland has been providing support and industry awareness to local communities for years. InfoStream had the opportunity to visit with Amy Pawson, Director of Operations, Petland Company Store Division, about the "Share the Love" Campaign, which ran from Feb. 1-14, 2012 in the Red Deer store.

InfoStream: Thanks for taking this time to speak with us, Amy. Can you please start off by telling us about the event, the goals and the stats you achieved with this event?
Pawson: Petland partnered with Alberta Animal Services (AAS) after attending the 2011 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies in Red Deer. Together, we compared our visions, then took it to the next level by  partnering with in-store adoption space for AAS animals. We wanted to create awareness for adoptable animals, our partnership and what Alberta Animal Services does for the communities it serves.

The sticker donation campaign was driven by PetLand cashiers on the tills from Feb. 1-14. All donations were for Alberta Animal Services to reduce animal over population through spay and neuter programs. We are proud to say we raised $1,783.02. Our donation goal was to have at least 20% of people through the store donate and we achieved 21%. We also increased our Store Guest Flow from a goal of 12,106 and to 12,782. Overall we exceeded campaign goals and landed a very successful event.

On Saturday February 11th, 2012, we held an in-store event the goal of which was to promote Responsible Pet Ownership through pet identification, awareness of Alberta Animal Services and the in-store adoption partnership. We advertised through in store posters, staff promotion, radio public service announcements, radio commercials, an event radio remote, an Ad in the Red Deer Advocate newspaper and a Facebook online program.

InfoStream: What did customers find as they entered the store on the day of your event?
Pawson: We created a customer experience around adoptions. At the start of the event, we brought 12 adoptable animals into the store from Alberta Animal Services and now only 4 are left!

We also offered on-site Microchip implanting.  Twenty-six people had their pets permanently identified and registered in the PetLynx recovery system. Customers that heard about this offer came to see what the event was all about. Those who were not aware of the campaign were disappointed they hadn't brought their pet. Through this promotion, we learned there is a lack of information about microchips and recovery services as well as a misunderstanding about the implanting procedure. It turns out that many people are not implanting their pet with a microchip because they are scared about the effect of the procedure on the animal.

In addition, Alberta Animal Services had by-law officers available to educate and answer questions.  This created a softer feel about them and their role in the community. And of course for the children attending the event we gave away kids packages that included a tooth brush (for Dental Health month), a Petland colouring book and crayons. We also provided balloons and tattoos for the kids at the front of the store to engage them and provide interaction with the animals.

InfoStream: What other incentives did you have for the in-store event?
Pawson: Yes, we had three huge giveaways:
• A 1 year supply of pet food from  Hill's Science Diet
• A grooming package from Riverside Kennels and Spas
• A 1 year supply of Pet Health Insurance from Petsecure

InfoStream: Why was Red Deer chosen for this prototype event?
Pawson: We saw this as an opportunity to explore a more collaborative approach to the community with Riverside Kennels, Alberta Animal Services and our vendors. This event was not just a one-time, one-way initiative. This event has brought about new partnerships for us and has changed how we plan to do things in the future.

InfoStream: What would you say are the three top achievements of the event?
Pawson: The top three achievements would be the money raised, the animals that found new homes, and the awareness of the role each of us play as collaborators delivering services to pet families in the Red Deer community.

InfoStream: How do you feel this event has impacted the companion animal industry as well as the city of Red Deer?
Pawson: It has created awareness for collaboration in the companion animal industry throughout the community. The bylaw officers were a huge help in educating people on what exactly responsible pet ownership is and why proper identification can increase return-to-owner rates.

InfoStream: Based on the success of the event, are there plans to move an initiative like this to other Petland locations across Canada?
Pawson: Our next in-store launch will be at our Winnipeg location on March 3rd featuring an in-store adoption event for cats. Our goal is to obtain 1,001 donations for the Winnipeg Humane society and create awareness for the many adoptable animals they have in that community.

InfoStream: Amy, do you have any closing remarks about the event overall?
Pawson: It was nice to leave Red Deer knowing that we made an impact on the community. It reinforces for me why I do this job and why I work with organizations that understand a collaborative vision.  At the end of day it is about creating healthy communities for the pets and people we all serve. Everyone needs to play a role, we all have an impact and by working together we will all be more successful.

InfoStream: Thank you Amy for taking the time to share your vision and your achievements.  We wish you all the best at your future Petland events!