CKC Seeks Comments on Proposed Breed Standard Amendments

The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is seeking input from breeders and owners of Miniature Pinschers and Norfolk Terriers regarding proposed breed standard amendments. The proposed changes include tail docking, ear cropping, and dewclaw removal. To read the amendment details and provide input please login to the CKC website and go to Membership Services/Publish for Comment. Alternately, the amendments may be mailed by calling 1.800.250.8040. The deadline for comments is August 14, 2015.

Tail docking, ear cropping and dewclaw removal are highly debated subjects. Several provincial veterinary regulators are preventing resident veterinarians from performing these alterations. Naturally this is concerning for several CKC members. The CKC said that, “Legislative and societal changes provides a need to accommodate those that chose not to crop, dock or remove dewclaws, many of whom wish to participate in CKC events. It is about providing options.”

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CKC announces 2015 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Kennel Club will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. The AGM agenda will be made available online in January 2015. The March Board meeting will be held on March 19 and 20, 2015, at the CKC head office.     

For more information, CLICK HERE

CKC Presents 2014 Award to AVC Student

The Canadian Kennel Club announced earlier this month it has presented Jessica Rock with the 2014 CKC-sponsored student award in support of the University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC).

Each year, the CKC makes a financial donation towards a student award to support Canadian veterinary colleges like AVC. 

READ MORE  

Industry - Nancy Carey leaves CKC

In a tersely worded statement dated 19 September 2011, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) announced that Executive Director, Nancy Carey had left the Club.  Rumors of a marathon 'In Camera' session at the Board of Directors meeting in Toronto and the termination of Nancy Carey began to circulate through the industry on Sunday evening. The Board has re-instated Manager of Member Services, Leila Bahorie, as Interim Executive Director. 

Both the Minutes and the Synopsis of the Board Meeting are available online for CKC Members. However, CKC members on public groups and blogs are asking serious questions as to why these documents shed so little light on the reason for this sudden departure. Observers will recall the senior management position sat vacant for nearly 11 months after the departure of Joe Mauro in March 2011.  On 30 January 2012, when Carey accepted the role, the industry had great hopes for a turn around of club prospects and watched Nancy's leadership style and vision with interest.

Other concerns mentioned this week include:  Board of Directors secrecy; Lack of transparency and collaboration with the rest of the industry; Funding issues; and, The need to get back to what's important - Dogs.  The following quotation is representative of dialogue in the public domain:

"I think that this points to the fact that the whole current set-up of the CKC has to be re-structured.  That might take a while, but I THINK it is time for the members of the CKC to get control of the place and bring it into a responsible organization again.  It is lost in itself and has no vision for the future of purebred dogs or the sport of dogs.  We need a magazine and we need positive publicity about the activities of purebred dogs, we need to educate the public about the false claims of cross-breds, there are more activities than showing or obedience.  What about field trials, hunt tests, dock diving, herding tests, terrier tests, scent hounds, herding classes and on we could go.  There are so many things that can get the public's attention.  That is what the ckc should be doing for the membership.  Set up a separate registry branch and let them deal with that stuff.  The CKC should be blowing its horn for pure-bred dogs and the sport of dogs."

A contributing factor to club troubles may be the significant changes to animal sourcing and community service models which is being discussed by the industry at 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in a few weeks. The impact of changing trends and behaviors is being felt across all sectors of the industry. It is certain that many of the current industry practices and approaches will require change.

PetLynx fielded YourSAY™Survey 2012.1 to measure the opinion of industry leaders just after the election of Michael Shoreman as Board Chair and the appointment of Nancy Carey.  This survey provides an opportunity for reflection now and may be repeated once again to gauge public opinion about this week's activity at the Canadian Kennel Club.

Stay in the know with PetLynx

Success at the 6th Annual Purina National - A CKC Charity Event

Record scores were had at the 2012 Purina National - A Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Charity Event, from March 9-11, in support of the CKC Foundation. 

The event showcased top-notch canine competitors, a show of breed clubs, unique dog products and services, a dedicated, family-friendly entertainment area, and daily prize draws.

To view the official photos of the winners for March 10: Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, High in Trial #1, High in Trial #2, Best Overall Junior Handler and 1st in Group, click here.

Be sure to watch for Purina National coverage in The Rick Mercer Report coming March 20, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on CBC. 

YourSAY 2012.1 - Canada's Thought Leaders speak of CKC

The first public opinion poll of 2012 is reported.  

The PetLynx YourSAY forum for 2012.1 totaled 1,698 thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada.  Over three hundred (325 or 19.14%) of these thought leaders reviewed YourSAY 2012.1.  Fewer of these reviewers (75 or 23.07%) completed the poll, down from 104 in March 2011, which is the last time a YourSAY poll featured CKC as the subject matter.

Although, fewer thought leaders expressed an opinion about CKC than in March of 2011, more respondents were CKC members (23%) in 2012 than in 2011 (15%).

Highlights from YourSAY 2012.1:

• Value that CKC contributes for almost all categories remained virtually the same as 2011, (just above the mid-point in value ratings).  
• The perception of CKC’s contribution to the Industry Codes of Conduct for non-purebred breeders declined this year (from 3.7 to 3.1)
• Sixty percent of the respondents provided an opinion on recent leadership changes.  Of the opinions expressed 82% felt the changes were Neutral or Progressive.
• Twenty-nine percent of respondents felt the biggest challenge facing the new leadership of CKC was to be a "team player" building industry relationships.
• Thirty-five percent of respondents felt that CKC should reinvent its structure and brand.

Demographics of YourSAY 2012.1:

• 62% Female
• 38% Male
• 14% 21-35 years old
• 48% 36-50 years old
• 38% 51 and older
• 42% Central Region
• 24% Prairie Region
• 22% Pacific Region
• 12% Atlantic Region
• 89% Dog owner
• 51% Cat owner
• 37% Animal Services
• 21% Animal Control and Enforcement
• 20% Animal Welfare
• 17% Animal Health and Wellness
• 15% C-Level Executive
• 37% Senior Management
• 27% Middle Management
• 10% Individual Contributor
• 17% Identified themselves as Breeders of Dogs

YourSAY public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx.  Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost.  Contact Judi Cannon if you wish to procure a copy.

CKC Calls on Members to Attend Anti-BSL Rally

As part of its mandate to oppose Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), the Canadian Kennel Club urges all members to show their support for Bill 16 by attending the 
Anti-BSL Rally on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Queen's Park in Toronto. 

Bill 16, the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was introduced by MPP Randy Hillier (PC), Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, on November 30, 2011 -- backed by MPP Cheri DiNovo (NDP) Parkdale-High Park and MPP Kim Craitor (LIB) Niagara Falls -- and serves to revoke the breed-specific section of the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA) in Ontario, enacted August 29, 2005.

For more information

Have YourSAY(tm) - Leadership Changes at Canadian Kennel Club

Recently, a new Chair and a new Executive Director were reported by the Canadian Kennel Club.  CKC has had the responsibility to steward the purebred dog breeders of Canada for more than 120 years.  If you are one of Canada's thought leaders or if you are an active member of the companion animal industry, we invite you to be a respondent to the first YourSAY™ Survey of 2012.  Click this link and invest a few minutes to have YourSAY™ about CKC!

2012.1 YourSAY(TM) Survey  

The 2012.1 YourSAY™ Survey of public opinion is Powered by PetLynx and gathers information that will be reported to the CKC board and management as well as to the industry on Friday, 3 February 2012.  Dr. Lisa Chen is leading this PetLynx Market Services and Intelligence [MSI] program that offers respondents the opportunity to contribute their opinions while providing  industry with an analysis of public opinion at a given moment in time.

Shoreman elected Chair of Kennel Club Board

Michael Shoreman has been elected Chair of the CKC Board of Directors for the 2012 -2014 term.  Mr. Shoreman has an extensive background in public service and senior executive activities which together with his experience as breeder and international Judge gives him an understanding of all things dog.

Mr. Shoreman a Life Member of the CKC, replaces Lee Steeves who held the board seat until the election this past weekend.

Read the CKC post

CKC names Nancy Carey as new Executive Director

Canadian Kennel Club has a new Executive Director. Nancy Carey has a broad background in non profit and executive functions. Nancy takes up her new post on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Ms. Carey's challenge will be to lead Canada's longest serving canine registry into a new model that resolves the problems and funding issues experienced of late.

Member organizations in Canada are all facing challenges to some degree, including funding, automation, internet presence as well as increased critique of member services and the fees associated with them.

The top post has been vacant since March of 2011 when Joe Mauro resigned as CEO of the club. Since that time the CKC has suspended the publishing of Dogs in Canada, closed down its publishing arm Apex and terminated many of the senior staff associated with providing these services to industry.

Read the whole Story

See Nancy's LinkedIn profile

PetLynx welcomes new team member!

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to advise that Joe Mauro has accepted the position of Vice President, Business Development.

Joe Mauro has been part of the companion animal industry for 17 years; the last six as CEO of Canada’s largest dog registry – the Canadian Kennel Club.

Read the whole story

CKC closes Apex Publishing

This sad little puppy graces the last issue of the Dogs Annual publication from Apex Publishing.  The Canadian Kennel Club has decided to terminate the magazine that was once Canada's favorite canine publication.  According to the  announcement, the December issue of Dogs in Canada will be the last issue of the magazine published. The September 2011 CKC Bulletin first reported this decision as follows: At the regular September Board Meeting on Sunday, September 18, 2011 the Canadian Kennel Club Board of Directors was notified by the Apex Publishing Board of Directors that after months of consideration, it has been determined that there is no reasonable expectation of profit for Apex Publishing. As a result, it has become necessary to close the publishing arm of the Canadian Kennel Club and to reduce the financial burden upon the parent company. The 2012 Dogs Annual and the December 2011 issue of Dogs in Canada Magazine will be the final issues to be published.  Both Ann McDonagh, publisher and Kelly Caldwell, Editor in Chief were recently served with termination notices by the board of directors closing another chapter in the history of dogs in Canada. Read on...

Fourth Annual RDOG Day a barking success

RDOG DAY - Saturday, September 24, 2011.

“Responsible Dog Ownership Groups” (RDOG’S) rallied across Canada to promote, educate and enlighten dog lovers. The annual event gives the Canadian Kennel Club an opportunity to interact with community members unfamiliar with the valued place dogs have in Canadian society.

In Toronto, Trinity Bellwoods Park was dog central as dog owners united for CKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. Despite a looming rainy forecast, sunshine and clear skies, along with a steady flow of dogs, did not disappoint. This is the second time that CKC has held an RDOG Walk at Trinity Bellwoods Park—a popular Toronto dog park with an off-leash dog bowl-shaped area that draws dog owners who are unmistakably passionate about their dogs.

RDOG Participants were eager to show their support during the national RDOG dog walk at 11 a.m.—as dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes led the way around the scenic grounds of the park.

Read more about the Toronto Event

Learn more about RDOG

Canadian Kennel Club invites all members to have their say

Make Your Opinions Known this November!

2011 is an Election and Referendum year. The Canadian Kennel Club invites all members to have their say this November by exercising their right to vote and engaging in the electoral process. Collectively, your nominations and voting support can really make a difference!

In November, each voting member of The Canadian Kennel Club will have the opportunity to:

• Vote for the election of the members of their Board of Directors for the three-year term 2012 – 2014
• Vote on a number of important amendments to the CKC By-laws
  

The choice is yours, but only if you participate! Exercise your right as a CKC member and VOTE!

Important Dates to Remember:

• The Election Commission will mail ballots and return envelopes to all eligible voters on or before October 20, 2011.

• Last date for receipt of ballots is November 30, 2011. Ballots must be received at the office of the Election Commission prior to the poll closing at 12:00 o'clock noon on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

Click for more details on the CKC Site

Canadian Kennel Club Comments on new restrictions on the sale of dogs and cats

Changes in Store for Toronto Pet Retailers

Following a motion postponement in May 2011, Toronto City Council voted September 21 to restrict the sale of dogs and cats in all Toronto pet stores. Specifically, the amendments to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, Article XX, Pet Shops serve to restrict the sale of dogs and cats, unless they hail from a municipal shelter, Humane Society, registered rescue group or from ‘surrenders’. The impetus for this new legislation came about “in order to address the number of unwanted pets, impulse purchases of cats and dogs in pet stores, the supply and demand for dogs from puppy mills” as well as “the concerns about the care and treatment of cats and dogs kept in pet stores for sale.”

According to Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker’s office, the passing of this motion does not affect our Toronto member breeders whatsoever. Council is aware that CKC member breeders voluntarily subscribe to the code of breeder practice and code of ethics and do not sell directly to pet stores.

CKC continues to encourage prospective puppy buyers to contact local breeders when researching and considering the purchase of a purebred dog.


Read more on CKC Website

Apex Restructuring To Focus on Web Business in 2012

At the regular September Board Meeting on Sunday, September 18, 2011 the Canadian Kennel Club Board of Directors was notified by the Apex Publishing Board of Directors that after months of consideration, it has been determined that there is no reasonable expectation of profit for Apex Publishing.

As a result, it has become necessary to close the publishing arm of the Canadian Kennel Club and to reduce the financial burden upon the parent company. The 2012 Dogs Annual and the December 2011 issue of Dogs in Canada Magazine will be the final issues to be published. This decision has come after many months of consideration and evaluation of the financial circumstances currently impacting Apex Publishing, the Canadian Kennel Club, the publishing industry in general and in particular, the hard copy production of periodical journals in Canada.

Read more on this announcement at the CKC Website

Buyers Beware

Police are warning about a scam going around Calgary that claims to be selling purebred dogs.

The RCMP Calgary federal enforcement section says someone using a Kijiji ad is purporting to sell purebred dogs and claims to have a Canadian Kennel Club certificate of registration. That certificate is e-mailed to interested buyers, as are photographs of the dog.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Calgary+police+warn+buyers+Internet+puppy+sale+scam/5403592/story.html#ixzz1YLz0sEq0

Mauro leaves Canadian Kennel Club

Joe Mauro has resigned from the Canadian Kennel Club effective immediately.  Mauro was known for reaching out to the rest of the industry and for supporting a more collaborative approach to solving industry problems. 

Recently Mauro had been leading the industry conversation to establish voluntary codes of conduct for all breeders of cats and dogs in Canada.  This industry wide initiative will continue with a meeting in Toronto next week.  The presentation of the first iteration of these codes for discussion and industry input is still expected to occur during the regional summits in April.  The CKC notice may be read here  CKC CEO Resignation

If you wish to be involved in this discussion please contact Judi Cannon at 705.749.6607 or register at http://www.tsuas.com/

Announcing the 2010 National Urban Animal Survey

As many of you know, PetLynx Corporation established the National Urban Animal Survey (NUAS) in 2007 to fill the void we perceived for an evidence-based approach to decision making in the companion animal industry.  In 2010, we are once again moving to change the paradigm for information and intelligence in this industry.

PetLynx is pleased to announce that Socialstruct Advisory Group has been contracted to assist us to develop the next generation of Market Services and Intelligence tools for this industry.  Using the largest pool of subscribers and working with our industry partners we will prepare a National Urban Animal Report each November.

PetLynx Update

Our new agreement with the Canadian Kennel Club will provide our automated recovery services to more than 60,000 new puppies each year. In addition, CKC and PetLynx will be collaborating to add every dog in Canada to the HomeSafeRDOG program. We expect this program will drive the subscription and registry services component of our PetLynx business to become the largest service provider for dogs in Canada over the next 10 year period.

Here is a copy of their release for your review.


The Canadian Kennel Club, primary registry for purebred dogs in Canada and PetLynx Corporation, innovative, cutting-edge facility provider to the pet industry, are pleased to announce a new partnership undertaking. Under the terms of this agreement the Canadian Kennel Club will collaborate with PetLynx to expand services for all dogs in Canada through the PetLynx Subscription & Registry Services Unit. This national recovery service will be known as HomeSafeRDOG.

For all dog owners across Canada the blending of the PetLynx HomeSafe program and the Canadian Kennel Club National Responsible Dog Ownership Group (RDOG) initiative has created the largest single point access recovery service and owner support network in the country.

Pet families who register their dogs in the PetLynx HomeSafe Canada initiative using microchips, tattoos, licenses or other forms of identification will also have the opportunity to register for the CKC RDOG portion of the HomeSafe program. Responsible pet families will be directed to use PetLynx portals and CKC services to maintain their RDOG compliance. By using these programs, pet families can achieve complete compliance with National Codes of Conduct established by the members of the National Companion Animal Coalition. The two parties will collaborate to expand Responsible Dog Owner Programs at the community and provincial levels through their affiliates across Canada.

"Collaborating with CKC to add their RDOG program to the PetLynx HomeSafe Canada initiative will not only increase the number of responsible dog owners across Canada, but provide national stewardship and valuable resources to the entire value chain supporting these pet families," said Larry R. Evans, President & CEO of PetLynx Corporation. "By working together with the rest of the industry, I am confident that we will establish a new level of enjoyment and wellbeing for every dog in every community across Canada."

"We are very excited about the opportunity of expanding the RDOG program and our relationship with dog owners across Canada," said Joe Mauro, CEO of the Canadian Kennel Club. "The Canadian Kennel Club is an organization that has served the needs of dog breeders and owners in Canada for more than 120 years. Our breeders and breed clubs are the subject matter experts in our communities who can help Canada achieve a leading role worldwide in responsible dog ownership and industry compliance."

For more information contact:

Joan D'Souza-Plavins, Canadian Kennel Club
(416) 674-3677 or jdsouza@ckc.ca
www.ckc.ca

Cindy Kreutzer, PetLynx Corporation
(403) 219-1088 or cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com
www.petlynx.net