2015 Summit Award Winner - Retailer

The Summit for Retailer of the Year recognizes an organization in the retail sector that has achieved a remarkable relationship with pet families and has improved the experience of pets and people in the community(ies) they serve. Our winner this year is...

Evan Ropp, Homes Alive Pet Centres

Homes Alives Pet Centres won with 77.4% of the votes for providing outstanding services to pet families and communities in Alberta for nearly four decades.

Three generations of the Ropp family have dedicated their lives to serving and finding ways to improve the wellbeing of pets in their area. Beyond operating two successful independent pet supply stores, the Ropp family make a difference for their communities by: 

• Publishing a pet care blog focusing on safety, care, nutrition and rescue pets available for adoption
• Developing a Learning Centre page focused on care tips
• Using social media to drive engagement and conversations about pet safety & wellness www.facebook.com/homesalive www.twitter.com/homesalive www.pinterest.com/homesalive/
• Providing space for rescues on Saturdays to amplify their message and profile one of their rescue pets in the Featured Friends portion on their website: www.homesalive.ca/blog/tag/Featured-Friends/
• Providing a binder system listing available pets for those rescues that choose to use it, bulletin boards, etc.
• Assisting community pet partners by collecting food
• Offering 15% discounts on products that are donated rescue partners
• Networking and collaborating with humanitarian initiatives locally such as Youth One, Streets Alive and Bridges of Hope Rescue.

Homes Alive Pet Centres partner with Edmonton Humane Society, Humane Animal Rescue Team, CaliCan, Infinite Woofs, Greater Edmonton Area Rescue Society (GEARS), Berkeley's Place Lethbridge - Ridge Rescue, Lethbridge Humane Society, PAW Society, Last Chance Cat Ranch, Prairie Pitbull Rescue, and Windy City Canine Rescue.

Urban Animal is grateful to Pets Plus Us for sponsoring the Summit Awards.

2015 Summit Awards - Retailer of the Year

The Retailer Summit recognizes an organization in the retail sector that has achieved a remarkable relationship with pet families and has improved the experience of pets and people in the community (ies) they serve. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Retailer Summit Award:

• 2010 - Pets West Pets & Supplies
• 2011 - Petland Kamloops, BC
• 2012 - Petland, Red Deer
• 2013 - Planet Paws Pet Essentials for raising funds through store initiatives and hosting community events and for Recognition by Nova Scotia Legislature for pet nutrition radio show and blog.
• 2014 - Brenda Kozub, Tisol Pet Nutrition and Supply for its work with local charities. Tisol helps pet families in need through its Pet Food Bank program, in-store donation boxes for spay/neuter programs, medical care and other needs. Tisol also raises funds for elementary schools for various programs.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.