“Mom, I want a dog!”

Stephanie McDonald
InfoStream Guest Author 

These are the inevitable words that many parents hear from their young animal-loving children. It begins the discussion of whether to add a dog to the household, or not. As parents, they will have to deal with this request and provide a reasonable answer to their child. And, of course, many children will continue a relentless negotiation as their parents make their decision.

“I promise I will walk the dog every day!”

“I promise I will clean up the yard.”

“I promise I will play with the dog, and feed it, and love it!”

I was one of those kids; you may have been too. In the end, I won over my parents and was given the greatest gift of my life, a sweet, little black puppy.  But where did they get my dog from? It certainly didn’t matter to me, at the time.

Back then, some could say, life was easier. We were not overloaded with information, opinions and social pressures. Getting a dog was as easy as shopping at the pet store, finding a neighbour with a litter of puppies, locating a breeder, visiting the animal shelter or searching the classified ads.

In those days, any of those options was as socially acceptable as the next. I don’t think many people gave it a second thought.

The current options are not substantially different—add sourcing a rescue group to the list, and the options for finding a dog today are pretty much the same. But being in the age of readily-available information has changed many people’s perceptions. More people are aware and conscious of the pet overpopulation crisis and are seeking to make informed, socially responsible decisions about where to find their next pet.

For some, the most apparent solution for not wanting to contribute to this massive overpopulation problem is to adopt their dog from a shelter or rescue group. After all, rescue groups and animal shelters have done a pretty fantastic job of getting the “Adopt, don’t shop!” message out there.  But for others, the choice is not so straight-forward.

What if the pet you want is simply not readily available at the local shelter or rescue group? The reality is, certain breeds enter shelters or rescue groups incredibly rarely and, let’s face it, once a family is ready for their new pet, the wait can be nearly unbearable.

So, you head over to the online classifieds and find pages and pages of puppies for sale. In a few clicks in you realize that some of the “breeders” of these pets may not be on the up and up; in some cases they appear to be backyard breeders, others are accidental litters, and in the worst cases they’re puppy-mills disguised.

Presumably, you still want to be part of the solution. You want to make a good decision for your family and make one that takes animal welfare into account.

What now? What happens when your search for information leads to more questions? As a public member simply wishing to do the right thing while adding a new family member, it can begin to feel nearly impossible for you to do just that.

How do animal welfare leaders create a road-map for the public? Despite the pet overpopulation crisis, is breeding animals ok under the “right” circumstances? What are those circumstances? What does it mean to be a “responsible reputable breeder?”  Who defines it? Who regulates it?

Can the breeding industry accept standards, guidelines, transparency and maybe even an accreditation process? Can they reach a consensus on what that process is?

I spent over a decade of my career advocating for animal welfare as CEO of a large humane society. I’ve seen thousands of families choose the adoption option and I strongly believe that it’s a great option for most people, but I’ve also come to understand why that isn’t always the first or best option for everyone.

When faced with the question of where to get a pet when adoption is not an option, I’ve provided the “from a responsible breeder” answer. Guidelines, like these from the HSUS, provide a basis for people to start to figure out what that means. But it’s not necessarily an easy process for people.

I believe that it is time for the pet breeding industry to develop and accept standards and accreditation that account for animal welfare and care throughout the purchase process. The standards need to all-inclusive, from record keeping and health care to housing and environmental enrichment.  They need to account for these aspects for the offspring and for the breeding pets as well.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, as I see it, and it won’t be an easy task.  Animal shelters and rescue groups are struggling with this task too. Not all shelters and rescue groups are the same, and they all have different standards.  It is getting better with introduction of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Shelter Guidelines, but we still have a ways to go.

As animal welfare professionals, I believe we have a responsibility to help the public make the most informed, ethical choices possible.  We should be thrilled when people add animals to their families in a well-considered and responsible manner whether the animals come from a shelter, a rescue group, or from a responsible reputable breeder. But we need to guide this process, set some standards and help people as much as possible, don’t you think?

ABOUT STEPHANIE MCDONALD:

Stephanie and her experienced team provide consulting services for animal welfare organizations. Partnering with Humane Society Management Services Canada LLC.  

Stephanie McDonald was the CEO for the Edmonton Humane Society for over 12 years. She introduced a multitude of innovative shelter operational improvements, focusing on improved animal care, new facility, customer service, fiscal management, disaster response and employee satisfaction.

Stephanie has been recognized internationally and locally for her contributions to animal welfare and has received several prestigious awards.

Facts and Evidence: Why we need Science-Based Breeding Guidelines?

In January 2014, Purdue University engaged Candace Croney, Ph.D. to direct the Centre for Animal Welfare Science (CAWS). Dr. Croney is leading the CAWS initiative to discover a science base (Facts and Evidence) for breeding.

Judi Stella, Ph.D.

Summit 2014 is pleased to present CAWS:

'Setting the Standard: Why We Need Science-Based Breeding Guidelines' directed by Judi Stella, Ph.D.

For more than a decade, passionate people have waged a war against 'puppy mills' and 'irresponsible breeding'. However, the industry has found it difficult to agree, or even to constructively disagree, on an evidence based approach to breeding. For this reason the battle has produced collateral damage and unintended consequences for retailers, breeders, brokers, rescues and pet owners who through no fault of their own may have crossed an imaginary line.

Several attempts have been made to engage Urban Animal stakeholders in a conversation that would produce guidelines. The 'breeder codes of ethical conduct' conversation which began at Summit 2009 was the latest attempt and by 2011 had not produced an accepted result. However, the Pet Experience Project of Summit 2012 showed that sourcing was a major issue for pet owners and a fundamental cause of surrender and abandonment. Summit 2013 developed a 'sourcing conversation' that revived the interest in developing breeding standards and a way of identifying animals produced under this standard with a Certified Quality Mark (CQM) program.

It is in this context that Judi Stella Ph.D., arrives to stimulate the Sourcing conversation with evidence of the need for Science based breeding guidelines.

Register for this conversation

Summit 2014 - Major Themes and Conversations

The ninth annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies is presented by Pets Plus Us and will feature important conversations arising out of Summit 2013 and the 2014 Regional Conferences earlier this year:

The Pet Experience Project - Sourcing:

The Pet Experience Project has shown that many problems associated with pets and people occur because of an incomplete process during the initial transfer of a pet to a new home. How can the industry move from finger pointing to develop a ‘best practice’ that reduces or eliminates this problem? Could the industry use lessons from human adoptions to develop an adoption model regardless of whether the transfer is from a primary or secondary source?

The Pet Experience Project - Metrics:

The pet business is changing rapidly. What are the implications of these changes for animal/community services, humane/rescue, health/wellness, commercial services/retail, breeders and public health? Certain services may need to be eliminated and some business models may not survive. How will the pet industry contend with changing consumer interests and compete with other funding priorities in the community? Can the industry develop market signals by gathering consumer intentions? Who will own and be in charge of the data?

The Pet Experience Project - Rethinking Community Interventions:

The Pet Experience Project has revealed a vital role for pets in the community. Human-animal interactions may be underutilized in certain areas. Delivering care and companionship in therapeutic, social and health settings is under a great deal of financial pressure. Can the industry be more proactive in these areas to enhance both the lives of people and pets while reducing or eliminating the human resource costs?   

The Pet Experience Project - Integrated Messaging through community portals:

A common complaint from consumers in the Pet Experience Project is confusion that stems from myriad channels that lack validation. An obvious answer is to develop community portals managed by an arms length party where all the valid information lives. Technology may be an ally and the ‘cloud’ may facilitate what was once only imagined. Would licensing, adoption, medical intervention and concierge services all benefit from a community portal?   

Alliance for Urban Animals - Removing the barriers of ‘moral tribes’:

An old African proverb says, “If you want go fast - go alone; If you want to go far, go together.” It was good advice with ample supportive evidence. However, in this day and age new demands require a quick response that is sustainable over the long term. Can this dilemma be resolved while remaining so attached to our ‘moral tribes’? Could industry stakeholders agree to disagree in favor of collaborative activities that generate a win for people, animals and the community.

In addition, to these five conversations, the UA Forum™ on Friday provides an opportunity for delegates to bring forward pressing issues and dilemmas. Two delegate seats for each conversation have been reserved to support leading thinkers with subject matter expertise.

Urban Animal subscribers may nominate a qualified resource by contacting Shannon Woodward.

Alumni may complete their registration at www.urbananimal.com.

APPA names Pets Add Life campaign official spokesperson

The American Pet Products Association has named T.V. correspondent and animal advocate Jill Rappaport as official spokesperson of its award-winning campaign promoting responsible pet ownership, Pets Add Life (PAL). 

Supporting the campaign's mission, Rappaport will help spread the joys and benefits of pet ownership and advocate for pet adoption and responsible pet ownership through speaking engagements and a television program dedicated to adopting pets and showcasing pet products to enhance the pet/people experience. 

"We are incredibly excited about this new partnership with Jill as her impressive accomplishments and superior work in animal advocacy make her a great for the PAL campaign," Andy Darmohraj, APPA executive vice president and COO. "Jill's charisma and passion and opportunities to connect with people make her a perfect champion to bring the campaign and its positive message to a broad audience." 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

PetLynx HomeSafe invites Guest Authors to contribute pet experience stories!

Since March 2009, PetLynx has published a HomeSafe blog intended to celebrate success stories and educate pet families. 

Earlier this week, HomeSafe writers announced the blog would kick off its own Guest Author Program, starting immediately. The GAP at HomeSafe is a place for the urban animal industry to introduce their own pets and share their pet experiences.  

HomeSafe, together with willing Guest Authors, will open the lines of communication between industry sectors and help break down the silos. Sharing personal stories and experiences with fellow thought leaders will increase our understanding and respect for one another when tackling touchy industry subjects.

If you feel inclined to share your story and introduce us to your pet experience please contact Lisa Milton (Squish's mom). In the mean time you can read our first GAP by Susan Dankert at PIJAC Canada here.

PetSmart opens Pop-Up Dog Park in Downtown Detroit

Photo Credit

Earlier this month, PetSmart Inc. partnered with the City of Detroit and the non-profit community organization Detroit Dog Park to bring a portable, pop-up dog park to a vacant lot in Detroit. This is the first official dog park in Detroit, providing more than 10,000 square feet of space. 

PetSmart's P.U.P. (Pop-Up Park) is a shipping container that contains everything needed to create an interim dog park, including 340 feet of fencing, three Oops clean-up stations, three moveable, backless benches, lighting on and inside the container (powered by solar panels on the roof) and a storage closet. The shipping container serves as the park's point of entry and exit. Through the partnership, PetSmart supplied the P.U.P. and the City of Detroit will maintain the park. 

PetSmart has currently supplied P.U.P.'s to two other Phoenix, Ariz. communities and hopes to bring parks to four more communities throughout the country by the end of 2014. 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

Atlantic Innovation Showcase Spotlight The Prince Street Puppy Project

InfoStream Staff Writer 
Terri Perrin 

The urban animal industry has spoken! From April 22 - 30, in Toronto, Halifax, Calgary and Vancouver, industry thought leaders gathered for the 2014 Regional Urban Animal Conferences. A high point on each agenda was the Innovation Showcase presentations. 

In Halifax, Summit delegates were moved by Eileen Higginbotham’s winning presentation about the Prince Street Puppy Project, which was one of two Innovations in the region selected to move on to the Summit level. InfoStream staff writer Terri Perrin chatted with Eileen, who is a special education teacher at Prince Street School in Charlottetown, PEI, to learn more about how her school has ‘gone to the dogs!’

InfoStream(IS): After reviewing your presentation it is obvious that you love dogs … and children! Tell us about your own personal ‘Pet Experiences’ and what inspired you to bring your dog into the classroom.

Eileen Higginbotham (EH): The Prince Street Puppy Project (PSPP) started in December 2011 when my husband, Chris, and I added a new puppy, Kannon, to our pack. My husband is a high school biology teacher and had been keeping rats in his classroom and was noticing the positive connections some of the students were making with the animals. I wondered if I could make some of those animal-human connections with our students and our new puppy.

After approaching my principal with the idea, and finding a teacher who would be on board for housing the dog in the classroom during the day, we were ready to start. Kannon came to school, and since then, we have added two more dogs, Shazam and Archie.

IS: What challenges have you faced, relating to funding and support from your school district.

EH: There have been no real challenges to funding, as the only cost related to our program so far is the treats used for the daily training sessions. Two of these dogs are mine and my principal, Erin Johnston, owns the other. We absorb all the cost of crates, toys, treats and veterinary care. We have good support from our school district but that is mainly because of the impact we have had with our students and their parents.

People often ask us about hurdles. Many things have to be considered before starting a program like this because it is not simply just taking a dog to school. The success of this program hinges on the fact that I am an experienced dog person. I have many years of dog rescue and rehabilitation experience and I’ve attended many dog-training seminars. I am also a Special Education teacher—for children, not dogs! I feel you really do have to be part schoolteacher and part dog trainer to do this program justice. One must also consider things like potential allergies, child safety, dog safety, and the logistics of caring for the dogs.

IS: Speaking of hurdles, from looking at the Puppy Project’s Facebook page it is obvious that your dog, Kannon, is quite the agility and fly ball star. Do you think that participating in these ‘extra curricular activities’ helps these classrooms dogs release tension?

EH: Yes! For sure! Dogs who get mental and physical exercise are happy, more relaxed, and easier to live with dogs. All of the PSPP dogs have full lives at school and at their homes. But I don’t think dog sports are the only way to have a happy dog. Spending time with your dog playing games such as fetch, going for a nice leash walk (or run), or working on trick training can also provide that much needed physical and mental stimulation.

IS: Where do you see your program in the next five to 10 years?

EH: We have been doing the program for just over two full calendar years now, spanning across three school years, and we have been changing and evolving the entire time. Every day the Puppy Project involves five teachers, eighteen to twenty students directly, and another fifty students indirectly. Going forward, the teachers plan to look at our project goals and programming and align them to some of our health and science curriculum outcomes, particularly for the grades four, five, and six levels. This more formal planning will make it easier to share as a fully laid out school program integrated with curriculum.

IS: We understand that your students have been invited to share the Puppy Project experiences. Tell us about that.

EH: Our students have been asked to author some pieces for the PEI Humane Society, from kids to kids, about what they have learned about dogs, training, stewardship and safety. Their work will be published on the PEIHS website. We will also add a published sharing component, much like our Facebook and my blog, written by students to share their thoughts and experiences. We are talking to the students now about what form they would like that to take.

IS: What is your long-term vision for the program?

EH: I hope to see a Puppy Project that is fully integrated into our school curriculum, covering many outcomes for health, science, and writing. We will continue to run our daily training session and will enhance our ability to support the behaviour resource programming needs of incentives and self-regulation. We will broaden our impact within the community by expanding the sharing of our stories about what we do and why it matters.

IS: How did you learn about the Atlantic Regional Conference and how did you come to be a presenter?

EH: I was nominated to do an Innovation Showcase presentation, so I started looking up information about the Urban Animal Conferences. I was very excited to be invited and even more excited to be voted forward to the Annual Summit.

IS: Tell us about your first Urban Animal Conference experience.

EH: Going to the Urban Animal Conference in Halifax was wonderful! It was such a great opportunity to talk to so many different people involved in the urban animal experience. Listening to the Innovation Showcase presenters was humbling and I was pleased to be included in their company. The keynote speakers were interesting and I could not believe how many different topics we covered in just a few hours. I came away with so many new and exciting contacts. It is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the health and welfare of our urban animals.

IS: What do you hope to take away – or contribute to – the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October?

EH: I am beyond excited to be going to the Summit and am hoping to make more contacts with like-minded people. Of course, I am keen to share information about The Prince Street Puppy Project and I hope to contribute to all the discussions we will be having at the conference.

Learn more about the Prince Street Puppy Project on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/PrinceStreetPuppyProject?ref=hl

OR blog: princestreetpuppyproject.wordpress.com

Thought leaders in the Pacific region have spoken

The Urban Animal™ Conference in Pacific North America is in the books. Thought leaders including researchers, business managers and executives in all sectors of the Urban Animal industry have shared evidence and had their say to move the industry forward. Here are interesting lines from the working groups:

• We may not have control over the original source of an animal so need to become a ‘re-source’
• How do we re-source responsibly? Training, resources, education 
• “Adopt don’t Shop” messaging hits barriers when people want puppies or purebreds
• No standards of care for acquiring a pet 
• Guide to responsible sources
• Sourcing is important for all animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, reptiles, etc.) not just dogs and cats
• We need to continue to have dialogue with opposing viewpoints
• Talk to each other, put aside history and start new relationships 
• There is an opportunity to offer reduced cost vet consultations before obtaining a pet 
• Be proactive rather than reactive
• Create a netral, collaborative group of leaders to meet regularly 
• Broaden the minds of those who wish to move forward (or get on the bus!) 

To see the session 'Wordle' and as well as the rest of the group input go to urbananimal.com

Get the facts, have YourSAY, move the industry. 

Thought leaders in the Prairie region have spoken

The Urban Animal™ Conference in Prairie North America is in the books. Thought leaders including researchers, business managers and executives in all sectors of the Urban Animal industry have shared evidence and had their say to move the industry forward. Here are interesting lines from the working groups:

• The messaging we’re sending to our consumers is often inconsistent and often too late. 
• Defining a “good” source is difficult - who should determine this criteria?
• At the end of the day, we are all connected by our experience
• Consumers and industry need a professional source of information/help/support
• We may be educating consumers, but with not with a consistent message 
• The industry works in silos versus in collaboration with each other 
• Industry sectors prefer to remain in their comfort zones but to work together, we need to break down the walls
• Too many stigmas exist around animal sourcing: online, breeders, humane and rescue
• Messaging around the importance of pets/roles of pets is non-uniform 
• Too many messages and not enough openness 
• Negative impacts of sourcing can result in bad pet experiences, loss of trust, euthanasia and relinquishment 
• Opportunity to showcase collaboration through website traffic rather than bury in the site 
• The message is simple: Listen to the people we are trying to educate

To see the session 'Wordle' and as well as the rest of the group input go to urbananimal.com

Get the facts, have YourSAY, move the industry. 

An Interview with Dr. Jason Coe, Urban Animal program Facilitator

Terri Perrin
InfoStream Staff Writer 

Who is Dr. Jason Coe?

And why will his presence at the Regional Conferences be so important to you?

With his impressively long list of credentials and accomplishments relating to research and education in the urban animal industry, Jason Coe, DVM, PhD was first invited to be a part of the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in 2011. Since then, he has become an integral part of the Regional Conferences and annual Summits’ experiences and has been instrumental in orchestrating the events’ Automated Response System, which facilitates the collection and analysis of data.

“When I first heard Jason speak I realized that he had a very different view of the world,” explains Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation. “His research and work is as if he is examining the very DNA and genetics of the urban animal experience through the eyes of a veterinarian, a sociologist and an epidemiologist. What he is discovering is helping the industry move forward in its understanding of the gaps in the Pet Experience.”

This year, OVC 2001 graduate Dr. Jason Coe, who is now an Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and the Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Chair in Communication, will be the Facilitator for the 2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences. InfoStream staff writer, Terri Perrin, caught up with Dr. Coe at the University of Guelph campus to discover what drives his passion for the Pet Experience. 

InfoStream (IS): Jason, you have an impressive list of professional accomplishments, achieved in a relatively short time, what life experiences started you down this path of being a veterinarian, a teacher and a researcher?

Jason Coe (JC): I grew up with animals constantly being part of my life. I became a vet as a result of many positive animal experiences that created in me a desire to be able to take care of them. I have also always been interested in education and communication. My current position at the OVC allows me to fulfill all of these interests by working to improve the relationship between companion animals and people through research and education. It’s perfect!

IS: You worked in a clinical setting after graduating from vet school and then, in 2008, earned a PhD in the area of veterinary communications. What inspired you to take this extra training?

JC:  I always had plans to return to graduate school after a few years in mixed-animal practice.  I’ve always been curious about the relationship between people and animals and wanted to explore this further.  When I returned to OVC they had just started a program designed to assist veterinary students in their communications with clients.  As I became involved in this program I quickly recognized the importance of our human-to-human interactions on the health and wellbeing of animals.  Recognizing the importance, I wanted to be a part of this important area of the veterinary profession.

IS: For those readers who don’t know about your work, can you give us the ‘Reader’s Digest’ version of what it is you are exploring?

JC: I guess you could say that I’m looking at the pet experience from three angles. The first would be through my Research Chair, generously supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada, to further our understanding of pet overpopulation and pet relinquishment through research and education. Second would be my work examining the role of interpersonal communication within veterinary practice and the impacts this has on the outcomes of veterinary care for all involved (e.g., animal, client, veterinarian and staff). Third would be my interest in veterinary education and looking at how to best prepare today’s veterinary student for tomorrow’s society. 

IS: You say that you had pets while growing up. Were there any in particular that made an impact on you?

JC: I am staring at two pictures on my wall right now. One is of a black cat we called Optimus. He was named after the Transformer Optimus Prime. He lived to be about 19 years old and saw me through many stages of my life, from adolescence right through to my first job as a veterinarian. I also need to mention a special German Shepherd Dog named Duke. He was my first pet. Both of these animals played extremely influential roles in my life. The other picture I’m staring at is of Max, a St. Bernard, who was the most recent of the many animals that have had an influential role in my life.

IS: Do you share your home with any animals now?

JC: This is an interesting question and one I get asked often! A few years ago Optomis and Max passed away … ironically on the same day and from similar ailments. At the time, my wife and I were at a point in our lives when we had to decide whether to get another pet or start a family. We opted for children. We are making a very conscientious decision as to when will be the right time to introduce a pet into the chaos that is currently our lives … with three young kids under the age of five! While we would love to have a pet, our decision to not have one right now is a conscious one influenced by my work experience and understanding of companion animal relinquishment and the need to be prepared for the life-long commitment that is made when acquiring a pet.

IS: Your research and your appointment as the Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Chair in Communications is putting you in high demand for speaking engagements in both North America and around the world. How do you feel about this and what do you gain from this exposure?

JC: It is really exciting to be able to travel because it provides me with opportunities to understand different cultural urban animal experiences and to share my research findings. In May, I will be addressing the Australian Veterinary Association’s Annual Convention. I’m looking forward to that.

IS: Do you ever miss the hands-on work as a veterinarian in a clinical setting?

JC: While I am not clinically practicing right now, I have been quite involved with forwarding primary care veterinary education and this has kept me connected to the clinical side of things. In practice, I was always interested in everything large or small. I actually continued practicing part-time in a large-animal clinic up until 2010. Then, much like my reasons for not having a family pet right now, as young children came into my life, I had to make some tough decisions. Not working in a clinic … for now … was one of them.

IS: What is your view on the Regional Conferences? How do you believe they are influencing the companion animal industry in Canada?

JC: The Regional Conferences draw representatives from very different areas to share their Pet Experiences … and I believe that differences in perspectives that are brought forward create opportunities. I find it fascinating to watch as thought leaders from such diverse areas come together. You see what is being accomplished across the country and in various sectors of the companion animal industry. It often demonstrates that more can be accomplished as a collective, rather than on your own. This collaboration encourages respect and is making a difference. Personally, understanding the many different perspectives allows me to look at my research in many different ways.

IS: Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?

JC: I’ve never really thought about that! I have no idea! (Laughs.) I love new projects and taking learning experiences to the next level. So, I hope that 10 years from now I will be exploring something that today I have not even thought of.  I look forward to continuing to take advantage of new opportunities to learn and that any opportunities presented to me bring about larger discussion to move the companion animal industry forward. I feel very fortunate in what I have accomplished so far. Who knows what the future will hold?

IS: Thank you, Dr. Coe. We look forward to seeing you at the Urban Animal Regional Conferences.