Drew Van Niekerk on the SUAS

PetLynx President Dr. Drew Van Niekerk spoke to Animal's Voice host Kevin MacKenzie to illuminate the upcoming Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Have a listen! 

2014 Central Innovation Showcases Revealed!

On Tuesday, April 22nd, the Canada wide 2014 Urban Animal Regional Conference tour will launch. 

Members from all levels and sectors of the Urban Animal Industry will gather together in Toronto, Halifax, Calgary and Vancouver for the 8th annual edition of these regional events.

The 2014 Regional Conferences are a strategic component of Urban Animal™ programs in North America. They feature the Pet Experience Workshops led by Dr. Jason Coe, Innovation Keynotes providing tools for replication and a strong cast of local presenters showcasing innovative projects from across North America. 

Today, the first of four InfoStream posts will reveal the 2014 Innovation Showcase lineup. Central Region Showcases: 

Municipal TNR – Esther Attard (Toronto Animal Services)

Imagine: a municipality turning its focus to TNR instead of euthanizing to better serve the feral cat population and the community as a whole.

iAdopt – Stephanie Johns (OSPCA)

Imagine: a year-round adoption campaign available to organizations from all industry sectors at a global level.

LifeLearnX – Adam Little

Imagine: a bold new initiative challenging animal health by accelerating technology through entrepreneurship.

Animal's Voice Pawdcasts - Kevin MacKenzie & Katie Leonard (OSPCA)

Imagine: an Internet channel that features the country’s leading experts, volunteers and information about the Pet Experience.

Shelter Medicine at Boreal College – Tanya Firmage (OSPCA)

Imagine: a partnership between a leading Canadian college and a humane society resulting in the first ever shelter medicine program.

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. 

Shawn McIntyre on Animal's Voice

In a recent Animal's Voice Pawdcast, Kijiji Community Relations Manager, Shawn McIntyre discussed recent changes to Kijiji's pet listings. Have a listen!  

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. 

Dr. Drew explains the Pet Experience Project on Animal's Voice

PetLynx president Dr. Drew Van Niekerk sat down with Kevin MacKenzie, host of OSPCA's Animal's Voice Pawdcast, yesterday to shed some light on the Pet Experience Project and the Urban Animal Program. 

In the Pawdcast episode, Drew explains the purpose and goals of the Pet Experience Project, the significance of collaboration between sectors and the importance of connecting with urban animal communities as a whole.  

Asked the difference between Responsible Pet Ownership and the Pet Experience, Drew illuminated the relationship between the two where creation of positive pet experiences will ultimately produce responsible pet ownership. 

"The Positive Pet Experience would really come from a community that understands what pet owners want in that community," he said. "If you can figure that out, and deliver that, they'll behave more responsibly… If people behave more responsibly, then non pet owners… will be more accepting of pets in the community." 

Drew also highlighted the importance of the Urban Animal Program as a means to identify dilemmas and recast them into opportunities. "Unless we come together and solve these issues as a larger group, we'll be ineffective," he said. "We need to get out ahead of the issues so we can be a proactive group rather than a reactive group."