Regional Innovation Showcase sneak peek

On Wednesday, 17 April, the Canada wide 2013 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 7th annual edition of these regional events.

The 2013 Regional Conferences are a strategic component of the Urban Animal Program in North America. They feature the Pet Experience Workshops led by Dr. Jason Coe and a strong cast of local presenters showcasing innovative projects that can be replicated to move communities forward across North America:

• Atlantic Canada will showcase a unique partnership between the Nova Scotia SPCA and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice that prepares both dogs and offenders to achieve the socialization and skills they need to be successful in the community; The Atlantic Veterinary College and Cat Action Team from PEI will show how they have successfully spayed and neutered 8,000 feral and barn cats; The Fredericton SPCA will show the ‘TINY’ weight-loss challenge project which received international attention; Tuxedo Stan is sending his campaign team in to show how he raised the plight of cats by running for Mayor of Halifax and; a presentation by those involved in Wind Energy will show how energy and funding can be more sustainable. 
• Central Canada will showcase the experiences of Canada’s largest urban municipality and how they are guiding the development of future services for pets and people; The first place winner of the Nichol Pitch Competition from the Management Economics and Finance faculty at the University of Guelph, will present WooF, a new plan for exploiting ‘socialapplication’ for pet owners in Canada and beyond and; Ontario SPCA demonstrates how fixyourpet.ca has delivered.  
• Prairie Canada will showcase Green Calgary’s study of the Canine Carbon Footprint; Edmonton Humane will bring its renowned blog discussion of the future and affordability of pets in our communities; a post mortem presentation on the City of Vernon's decision not to ban the sale of puppies in retail outlets; Red Deer Petland and Alberta Animal Services have formed a unique partnership to promote adoption and fundraising and; urban planning for pets and people. 
• Pacific Canada will showcase the 2012 Let's Talk About Cats program launched by BC SPCA and Katie's Place in the community of Maple Ridge; Coquitlam will show how their program to repurpose infrastructure has achieved unusual results in their community; MLA Jane Thornthwaite introduced Mandatory Care standards for BC Breeders.