OSPCA spay/neuter clinic celebrates 5-year anniversary

In February 2009, the Ontario SPCA opened the doors to its first high volume spay/neuter clinic. 

In those five years, the clinic has performed more than 25,000 spay/neuter surgeries and seen cat admission reductions of 18% across Ontario SPCA branches province-wide. 

The OSPCA was recognized by its peers last year with a Community Compliance Summit Award and  earlier this month, Subscribers selected this Innovation to present a keynote address at the 2014 Regional Conferences in Calgary and Vancouver. 

"What these statistics show is that having your pet spayed or neutered directly helps address the pet overpopulation crisis," says Judith Aubin, Regional Manager of Ontario SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinics. 

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Community Collaboration Summit presented in Ottawa

Left to Right: Mark Taylor (Ottawa Councillor ), Dr. Jennifer Messer 
(Ottawa By-law Services),  Dr. Michelle Lem (CVO), 
and Dr. Berney Pukay (CMVA)

The Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) program and the City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services' Spay/Neuter Clinic was presented yesterday with the 2013 Community Collaboration Summit Award. 

Sponsored by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, this Summit Award recognizes programs, codes of conduct or best practices delivered to create a healthier environment for urban animals. 

The CVO and Ottawa By-law services were nominated by their industry peers to receive this award for their efforts to integrate veterinary care into the community, in particular, to animals of the homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or marginally housed. 

For more information, CLICK HERE

Summit winner receives government attention

Planet Paws Pet Essentials

Planet Paws Pet Essentials has received recognition from the Government of Nova Scotia for its commitment to the pet industry and for winning the 2013 Summit Award for Retailer. 

The Nova Scotia Minister of Energy and Communications passed the following resolution and have written it on page 924 of the Nova Scotia legislation: 

"Therefore be it resolved that members of this house of assembly join me in congratulating Rodney Habib and Planet Paws Pet Essentials staff for winning the 2013 Summit Retailer of the Year Award, the highest award in the Canadian pet industry, for the first time in Atlantic Canada, and wish them continued success in the future." 

InfoStream would also like to offer its congratulations to the team at Planet Paws for its commitment to creating healthy communities for pets and people. 

Atlantic vet takes animal wellness to a new level

Dr. Peter Foley receives the Summit Award for Wellness
during the 2013 Summit Award Tour in Halifax.

An individual focused on animal welfare in Prince Edward Island has summoned accreditation of the urban animal industry for demonstrating that clinicians and volunteer organizations can collaborate to increase the overall wellness of urban and rural feline populations. 

Dr. Peter Foley, assistant professor of small animal medicine at Atlantic Veterinary College received the 2013 Summit for Wellness at the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October. Dr. Foley has proven himself instrumental in the orchestration of the PEI feral cat neutering program, with the PEI Cat Action Team (CAT). Since 2002, Dr. Foley organizes and supervises bi-monthly 'neuter' Saturdays with veterinary services provided voluntarily by students and faculty which has seen over 8,500 cats neutered. 

The award, sponsored by Petsecure, recognizes the efforts of an organization to improve the overall levels of wellness for urban animals in a particular client base, a specific community or industry sector.

InfoStream Newsmakers of 2013

2013 was an exciting year for the urban animal industry. A refactoring of the Urban Animal Program; the introduction of the Pet Experience Project; industry insight to the power of social media; and countless stories of success from across the nation all played a part in collective achievements celebrated by Urban Animal associates this past year. 

Here are a few InfoStream highlights (in order of top pageviews) from 2013:  

Tiny's Weight Loss Challenge at Atlantic Regional Conference: The story of Tiny, an overweight cat left on the steps of the Fredricton SPCA made global news headlines as the FSPCA team launched a social media campaign based around the cat's weight loss program. With nearly 6,000 Facebook 'Likes' and Tiny headlines on CNN, CTV, People Magazine and more, the FSPCA discovered a way to capitalize on the campaign and succeeded in raising thousands of dollars for special needs animals though the Tiny's Weight Loss Challenge Medical Fund. 

Interview with Randy Valpy: Twenty thirteen was a busy year for Randy Valpy as he launched Canada's newest entry to the pet insurance market, Pets Plus Us. Randy's dedication to the Urban Animal industry and his commitment to creating healthy pet communities resulted in a successful inaugural year for Pets Plus Us. Randy was also recognized by the Urban Animal Program for his efforts with a 2013 Summit Award for Individual Achievement. 

Planet Paws Pet Essentials recognized as leading retailer: Planet Paws co-owner Rodney Habib recognized an opportunity to connect with pet families on a personal level as well as a professional one. His Nova Scotia pet supply shop has received awards for its quality products and professional staff but Rodney's ability to build trust and relationships with pet owners through his Pet Nutrition Blog has allowed the company to reach a new and much larger audience. 

2013 Regional Conferences: The Regional Conferences were refactored in 2013. The improved program was designed to capture stories, successes and barriers where the rubber hits the road. The launch of the Regional Innovation Showcases and the restructuring of the Summit Award nomination process to begin at the regional level helped develop a widely successful 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies and allowed Urban Animal associates at the local level an opportunity to network and become involved in the Program. 

Dog Dazed: Dog Dazed was instrumental in developing Pet Experience Project conversations in 2013. This CBC documentary gathered insight from both pet owners and non-pet owners and created an unbiased and neutral narrative revealing the social and environmental impact of our four-legged companions. 

PetLynx adds financial resources: In October 2013, PetLynx Corporation welcomed Dr. Drew Van Niekerk to a leading role in the management of the company. Since 2001, PetLynx has met each new challenge with understanding, agility, tenacity and a commitment to PetLynx Core Values. The expansion of management and addition of capital will allow PetLynx to continue bringing value to large brands while lowering PetLynx acquisition costs, delivering the largest share of the identification/recovery market in Canada (with plans for global emergence) and driving positive cash from operations.

Free recovery for YYC pets: The 2013 Alberta Flood displaced thousands of people and hundreds of pets. Recognizing the need for a global recovery system and central database, partners of the Urban Animal program and PetLynx offered free recovery services to pets and families affected by the floods. Weeks later, the same was offered to pets affected by the Lac Megantic train disaster.  

Summit Award winners: The 2013 Summit Awards program was the most successful to date. Winners of the Summits included individuals, agencies and organizations from all sectors of the Urban Animal Industry. With 56 nominees in 12 categories, 1,642 eligible voters and just under 700 ballots cast in the process, this year's program signified the most involvement ever from urban animal subscribers.

Thank you to everyone who made this a successful year. Your collaborative efforts, forward thinking and commitment to the industry will undoubtedly lead to an even more successful 2014.

Happy New Year!  

Homing Summit Award winner nominated for local award

Summit Award winner James McLean has been listed by The Grid TO as one of 49 people who made a difference in Toronto in 2013. 

"As the Animal Care and Control Officer for Toronto Animal Services, James McLean has his paws in a lot of projects—namely, connecting the shelter’s menagerie of dogs, cats, and even members of the fowl family (chickens and ducks) with loving owners. For his efforts—in particular, his skilled home-finding for mill dogs and barn cats—McLean was bestowed with the National Summit Award for Homing in October. Think of him as the city’s foremost expert in mammalian matchmaking."

With this recognition, McLean is up for a Mensch Award (a.k.a. "The Menschies"), the Grid TO's annual collection of notable people who "rocked the city, both downtown and in the 'burbs" over the past year. 

Voting for Mensch Awards is available HERE. Polls close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 5.

Photo Credit

Collaboration within Ottawa community receives Summit recognition

Dr. Michelle Lem, Founder and Director
of Community Veterinary Outreach

The Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) program launched in 2003 in Ottawa to meet the growing need for integration of veterinary care in the community. Over the past 10 years, the organization has examined, treated and vaccinated over 1,500 animal and has experienced an ever-increasing rise in demand for this service. 

Community Veterinary Outreach, along with the City of Ottawa By-Law Services, were recognized by their industry peers in the form of a 2013 Summit Award for Community Collaboration. This award, sponsored by CVMA, recognizes programs, codes of conduct or best practices delivered to create a healthier environment for urban animals. 

Community Veterinary Outreach programs provide preventative care to animals of the homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or marginally housed. The clinics are staffed with volunteers, animals are examined, vaccinated or treated for internal and external parasites and owners receive education and advice. Community collaborators include shelters, municipal public health, community health centres, mental health organizations, IAMS as well as pharmaceutical companies. 

“I think the work that Dr. Michelle Lem and Community Vet Outreach program provides is invaluable," said Eric Coulson, champion of sales and operation at Pets Plus Us and nominator for this award. "Members of the Pets Plus Plus team volunteer with the CVO at the Yonge Street Mission and know firsthand how important the work they do is and the positive impact it has on the pet owner and their  four-legged furry companion.”

By providing preventative veterinary education and care to the animals of those in need, the CVO program improves, not only the health of the animal but also supports the physical and emotional well-being of their owners and contributes to protecting public health. 

Founder and director of the CVO, Michelle Lem, was also a recipient of the Individual Achievement Summit Award in 2011 for her extensive work and accomplishments with companion animals. 

Top Dog Randy Valpy achieves industry's top honours

A founding partner of the Urban Animal Program, Randy Valpy recognized the value of a collaborative industry during the first ever Summit for Urban Animal Strategies eight years ago. Since that day, Valpy has made multiple commitments to the program and the industry which validate his strong collaborative goals and resolution to creating healthy communities for people and pets. 

Pets Plus Us "Top Dog" Randy Valpy (left) with
PetLynx president & CEO Larry Evans

As a veteran industry innovator, Valpy continues to develop talent and shares his expertise with the industry and with pet owners through conversation and best practices. He has developed programs to educate pet owners on the cost of care and the importance of a safe and healthy pet and in fact, based his business model on this notion.

In recognition of these efforts, Valpy was awarded with the 2013 Summit Award for Individual Achievement. The Summit for Individual Achievement, sponsored by IAMS Canada, recognizes an individual who is currently active in the companion animal industry and who is well regarded for their achievements.

Former head of Western Financial Insurance Company, Valpy is one of Canada's best known industry leaders. Following his departure from WFIC, Valpy accepted the challenge to create a new pet health insurance division of Royal Sun & Alliance which launched earlier this year - Pets Plus Us. 

"It's an honour to be recognized both personally and for Pets Plus Us for our commitment to pet owners," said Valpy. "We believe that every pet deserves a loving home and proper care but we recognize that pet owners need financial tools and information to help them make decisions. That's why we've created products to enable pet owners to make the best choices for their pets." 

About Pets Plus Us
The Pets Plus Us community includes resources that help pet owners with everything from recovering a lost pet to finding a local dog park to learning more about a specific breed of dog or cat. Pets Plus Us is a place where pet owners can come to ask a vet a question, learn about how to be a responsible pet owner and even post pictures and videos of their four-legged friends. You can join the community of pet owners at petsplusus.com, facebook.com/PetsPlusUsCA and twitter.com/PetsPlusUsCA.

Pets Plus Us is a division of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada (RSA), part of the RSA Group of companies in, Canada. RSA is one of Canada’s leading home, auto, travel and commercial insurance providers.

About the Summit Awards

The mission of the Urban Animal Program is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to recognize those who lead the Urban Animal Industry. The Summit Awards are the highest honour conferred upon recipients by the Urban Animal Industry and an essential element for delivering on this mission.
The Summits are presented annually by members of the Urban Animal Program using an academy style system of nominations followed by an election using secret ballots and an electronic process. Winners of the 2013 Summits include individuals, agencies and organizations from all sectors of the urban animal industry.
The 2013 award program demonstrated the greatest level of engagement by members of the Urban Animal Program to date: 56 nominees in 12 categories; 1,642 eligible voters and just under 700 ballots cast. The Summit Awards were announced at the 2013 Summit Awards Gala on Friday, 18 October 2013, in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada.

Toronto Animal Services staff recognized for homing efforts

Eric Coulson (Pets Plus Us) & 
James McLean (Toronto Animal Services)

Toronto Animal Services has been a major player in the Urban Animal industry. Their municipal licensing compliance rates, mobile chip truck and collaboration with local cat TNR groups has earned them respect within the Care and Control sector and across the entire industry.

James McLean, Animal Control Officer with TAS, secured the esteem of his colleagues for his drive and commitment to homeless dogs, not only at work but also during his free time. For this, McLean was presented with a 2013 Summit Award for Homing during the 2013 Summit Award Tour in October. 

His nominator, Animal Services veterinarian Esther Attard, who received the 2012 Summit Award for Individual Achievement, said McLean is a great resource for Toronto Animal Services and is often called upon to find homes for some harder to place animals. 

"James is a remarkable individual who devotes his work and home life to rehoming as many animals as he possibly can," she said. "He has developed a barn program for cats and can even find a spot for chickens, ducks and doves. The mill dogs are his latest triumph - he can see past their hopelessness and has the ability to match them up with incredible people for a truly storybook ending." 

The 2013 Summit for Homing, sponsored by IAMS Canada, recognizes an organization that demonstrates innovation, commitment and success in the homing of animals through adoption, sale, return-to-owner, rehoming and/or fostering programs.   

OSPCA demonstrates exceptional Community Compliance

Eric Coulson (Pets Plus Us) and Tonya Martin (OSPCA)

Nearly five years ago, the Ontario SPCA opened its first high volume spay/neuter clinic in Newmarket, Ontario. Later that year following unprecedented demand, it opened its second in Barrie. Right away, the clinics received hundreds of calls daily as the pet-owning public sought a low-cost, high quality option to sterilize their animals. 

When demand continued to rise, the OSPCA opened another clinic in Lincoln County in December 2012. As a group, the three clinics have sterilized more than 44,000 animals since 2009 and succeeded in reducing province-wide cat intake by 18%. 

For their successes, the Ontario SPCA was invited to speak during the 2013 Central Regional Conference's Regional Innovation Showcase. From there, delegates nominated the presentation to share at the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Additionally, the Ontario SPCA was awarded a 2013 Summit Award for Community Compliance which recognizes efforts to increase the overall level of compliance in a community from the development of best practices or codes of ethical conduct in the area of licensing, identification, spay/neuter, wellness, recreation, breeding or standards of care. 

"Pet overpopulation is a community problem. Each year, tens of thousands of dogs and cats end up on the streets, where they fall victim to neglect and abuse, or in shelters in search of new homes. Spaying and neutering can reduce shelter intake and euthanasia in your community," Alison Cross, Ontario SPCA 

Tonya Martin, senior manager of Animal Welfare and Operations at the OSPCA, was presented with the award during the 2013 Summit Award Tour by award sponsor Pets Plus Us. Clinic stakeholders are confident this measure can help reduce and possibly eliminate the cat overpopulation crisis affecting many Ontario communities. 

Cattery celebrated for industry achievements with Breeder Summit Award

Trysh Tolhrst (Bundas Bengal Cattery) & 
Larry R. Evans (PetLynx Corporation)

When the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies initiated a conversation to define a ‘breeder code of ethical conduct’ one of the most influential resources was Trysh Tolhurst, who had established a breeder certification program for PJ’s Pets. 

Despite the industry confusion around the reselling of pets, Trysh was instrumental in creating a program for PJ’s breeders that ensured a supply of certified puppies and kittens for PJ’s clients. These animals were some of the best bred, health certified and socialized animals available to people in the communities served by this retailer. Trysh had taken the time to research the existing Breeder and Kennel codes in Canada and then added warranties and other enhancement that ensured a successful homing experience for the animals in her program. 

During the 2013 Summit Awards Tour in October, Trysh was presented with an award which pays tribute to her extensive work for and with Urban Animals.  Sponsored by Pets Plus Us, the Summit Award for Breeder recognizes a breeder of companion animals with five or more years of experience that is compliant with codes of ethical conduct and who demonstrates a high level of professionalism and commitment to the industry. Five finalists vied for the industry's highest highest award in the category of breeder, Trysh received 60% of ballots cast. 

While breeding standards are an important aspect of Trysh’s legacy in this industry, her involvement in both feline and canine breeding are also commendable. In the Canine area Trysh was involved with the Germain Shepherd breed serving up noteworthy animals with respect to disposition and confirmation. In the Feline area Trysh is still involved with the breeding of Bengals with her breeding organization, Bundas Bengal Cattery, where she continues to improve the standards and experience for those who receive her kittens into their home. 

2013 Innovation Showcase awarded Summit for Product or Service Innovation

Captain John Landry & Angela Poirier

A unique and thoughtful initiative developed through a collaborative effort between the Nova Scotia SPCA and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice has helped save the lives of dozens of shelter dogs and more than likely, a few prison inmates. 

Working On Our Future (WOOF) was first introduced to the Urban Animal Program during the 2013 Innovation Showcase at the Halifax Regional Conference. The program received 34% of ballots cast during the nomination process and was awarded the 2013 Summit award for Product or Service Innovation for developing a program which pairs dogs and offenders for social and behavioural development that achieves mutual benefit. The award, sponsored by Novartis, recognizes an innovative product or service that improves the quality of life for people and pets in homes, in communities or in industry sector(s). 

Program stakeholders Captain John Landry and Angela Porier with the N.S. Department of Justice were presented with the award at the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October. But when the 2013 Summit Awards Tour stopped in Halifax, additional collaborators were rallied to pay tribute to their efforts. 

Left to Right: Elizabeth Murphy (NS SPCA),
Captain John Landry (NS Dept. of Justice), Angela Poirier (NS
Department of Justice), Kristin Williams (NS SPCA), 
Sean Kelley (Director of Correctional Services),
Amy MacCrae (trainer)

A Lifetime of Urban Animal Achievement Celebrated

Keith Burgess, Paul Melanson

For more than a decade dedicated to the welfare of urban animals and communities, former New Brunswick Chief Animal Protection Officer, Paul Edward Melanson, received national recognition from his peers in the shape of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Summit Award. 

The Summit Award for Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by PetLynx, recognizes an individual who has earned the honour and respect of peers in the Urban Animal Industry for achievements in their field of endeavour. Melanson was presented personally with his award when the 2013 Summit Award Tour stopped in Cambridge, Ontario. 

Melanson joined the NBSPCA in 1999 as the organization was undergoing an intense period of renewal and professionalization. In 2000, after several years of negotiating with the Provincial Government, a revised provincial SPCA Act was proclaimed that gave the Society and its officers additional enforcement authority and responsibility. Melanson was recruited by the NBSPCA to become Chief APO (also with the title Chief Inspector) for the Province, a position he held until his retirement in 2012. 

"We had the privilege of working with Paul for many years and always appreciated his broad vision and tenacity to do what needed to be done.  Despite countless barriers Paul always stayed the course and achieved great things for the welfare of his staff and the animals of New Brunswick," Susan Dankert, PIJAC Canada.

During his tenure as Chief, Melanson implemented Standard Operating Procedures and specialized officer training, increased staff and animal safety and lobbied the provincial government for tougher animal protection legislation. Melanson worked  tirelessly to build relationships with the provincial police, RCMP, and crown prosecutors to fight for stronger animal protection legislation and better support for the NBSPCA. Despite severe financial challenges and a seemingly indifferent government, Melanson's efforts paid off when, in June 2010, the Province of New Brunswick introduced legislation to license and regulate pet establishments, a first in Canada.

           

AWASCO receives 2013 Sheltering summit

Kathy Innocente, AWASCO (left) and 
Chrissy Gaetan, Petsecure (right)

Local collaboration and shared opportunity in south central Ontario has been recognized at a national level by the Urban Animal Program. 

The Summit Award for sheltering, sponsored by Petsecure, recognizes an organization that best addresses the care of animals in shelters, pounds, retail outlets, kennels, veterinary clinics/hospitals, grooming shops and breeding facilities. In 2013, the Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario (AWASCO) was presented with this prestigious award at the second of four cross-Canada stops on the 2013 Summit Award Tour in Cambridge, Ontario.

In July 2012, the Ontario SPCA Perth Branch officially merged with the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) creating the new Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario. The communities of Perth County, Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Region are still served by their local shelters as well as the regional branches operating as Stratford-Perth Humane Society and the KWHS. These two branches share resources, senior staff and expertise providing new opportunities to cooperate and collaborate in providing better and expanded services to the communities within these two regions and shelter, care and protection for its animals. 

With 54% of ballots cast, AWASCO was recognized and rewarded by the Urban Animal industry for completing the amalgamation of the Perth and Kitchener-Waterloo agencies and for increasing the live release rate of the organization to 90%. As of August 31, 2013, AWASCO had reached its goal of increasing adoptions by 87% and decreasing euthanasia by 192%. 

Planet Paws Pet Essentials recognized as leading retailer

Top Left to Right: Councillor of Dartmouth East, Darren Fisher / Manager of Planet Paws, Mandie Richard / CEO of Pet Lynx, Larry Evans / Pet Nutrition Blogger and Founder of Planet Paws, Rodney Habib / Co-Owner of Planet Paws and my Father, George Habib / The Nova Scotia Minister of Energy & Communications, Andrew Younger / Assistant Manager of Planet Paws, Ashley Jewer / 

Bottom Left to Right: Planet Paws Blogger, Sarah MacKeigan / Planet Paws Blogger, Lise Blinn.

Retailers are quickly learning the importance of commanding both physical and online presence. With more and more consumers shopping online and using the web for information, social media plays a vital role in brand recognition and retail sustainability. 

The Summit Award for Retailer recognizes a retailer of pet products and services who has developed a reputation and frequent connection to pet families that has enhanced the lives of pets and people in the community(ies) they serve. In 2013, three Canadian retailers vied for this award. On October 18, the 2013 Retailer honour was won by Planet Paws Pet Essentials with 54% of ballots cast. 

Planet Paws owner and manager, Rodney Habib, launched his pet nutrition social media page as a means to research and educate pet parents after his own pets were affected by tainted pet food. Today, the Planet Paws Facebook page has nearly 12,000 'Likes' and reaches and audience of 168,000 each week. This level of traffic has been achieved in just over a year. 


The shop's physical presence in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, hosts community events and store initiatives to raise funds for local schools, education programs, animal shelters and community initiatives. 

As a member of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada and the American Pet Products Association, Rodney Habib has been recognized globally as a leader in pet nutrition and retail. His podcast for Rogers Communication, In the Dish, has become the largest pet podcast in Canada with 150,000 listeners each week. In addition to being recognized by the Nova Scotia Legislature, Habib writes for Dogs Naturally Magazine and is cast as one of the experts on a TV reality show called Fat Dog Fit Dog, which is currently filming in Nova Scotia. 

Planet Paws fundraisers contributed $75,000 to a local off-leash park, $15,000 to community rebuild programs, $5,000 to local schools and $5,000 and 9,000lbs of food to rescue organizations. Habib has also been recognized provincially by the Boys & Girls Club of Canada and received the Golden Apple Award from Nova Scotia for educating children on pet health and well-being. 

With these achievements, it is no wonder Rodney Habib and his colleagues at Planet Paws have garnered the highest level of recognition from their peers in the Urban Animal Industry.  

Visit UrbanAnimal.com for more information on Summit Awards and past winners.

Summit 2013 Confers the Urban Animal Industry's Highest Honor

The Urban Animal Program mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead.

The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually by the Urban Animal Subscribers using an academy style system of nominations followed with an election by secret ballot.

Winners of the 2013 Summits include individuals, agencies and organizations from all sectors of the urban animal industry. This year's award program signified the most involvement from urban animal subscribers to date. With 56 nominees in 12 categories, 1,642 eligible voters and just under 700 ballots cast in the process.

2013 Summit Award Winners:

The Summit for Community Compliance (sponsored by Pets Plus Us) recognizes efforts to increase the overall level of compliance in a community from the development of best practices or codes of ethical conduct in the area of licensing, identification, spay/neuter, wellness, recreation, breeding or standards of care.

And the winner is... The Ontario SPCA with 50% of the votes for the development of the High Volume Spay/Neuter program which has lowered the admission of Cats to area shelters.

The Summit for DistinguishedService Provider (sponsored by CDMV) recognizes a service provider in the Urban Animal Industry that is distinguished by the level of achievement and impact on the lives of people and pets within a community. 

And the winner is... Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society with 61% of the votes for the development and delivery of a Humane Education program featuring annual visits with educators and canine companions that have elevated the level of care and attention for animals in the region.

The Summit for Product or Service Innovation (sponsored by Novartis) recognizes an innovative product or service that improves the quality of life for people and pets in homes, in communities or industry sector(s). 

And the winner is... Working On Our Future (Nova Scotia Department of Justice and Nova Scotia SPCA) with 34% of the vote for a program which pairs dogs and offenders for social and behavioural development that provides a mutual benefit.

The Summit for Sheltering (sponsored by Petsecure) recognizes an organization that best addresses the care of animals in shelters, pounds, retail outlets, kennels, veterinary clinics/hospitals, grooming shops and breeding facilities.

And the winner is... Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario - AWASCO with 54% of the votes for completing the amalgamation of the Perth and Kitchener Waterloo agencies and for increasing the live release rate.

The 2013 Summit for CommunityCollaboration (sponsored by CVMA) recognizes programs, codes of conduct or best practices delivered to create a healthier environment for urban animals.

And the winner is... Michelle Lem + Community Veterinary Outreach with 30% of the votes for a collaboration that serves the Urban Animals of those who are homeless, marginally homed or at risk for homelessness. 

The 2013 Summit Award for Wellness (sponsored by Petsecure) recognizes the efforts of an organization to improve the overall levels of wellness for urban animals in a particular client base, a specific community or industry sector.

And the winner is... Dr. Peter Foley (Atlantic Veterinary College) with 29% of the votes for demonstrating that clinicians and volunteer organizations can collaborate to increase the overall wellness of urban and rural feline populations.

The 2013 Summit for Communications (sponsored by Novartis) recognizes the vision, production and successful delivery of content that promotes a better environment for urban animals locally, nationally or globally.

And the winner is...Dr. Jane Takahashi (Associate Veterinary Clinics) with 33% of the votes for recognizing the need and for establishing programs that enhance the pet owner experience at AVC hospitals and clinics across Canada.

The 2013 Summit for Lifetime Achievement (sponsored by PetLynx) recognizes an individual who has earned the honor and respect of peers in the Urban Animal Industry for achievements in their field of endeavour.

And the winner is... Paul Melanson with 52% of the votes for activities to establish a judicial framework for the protection of pets that in June 2010 resulted in legislation to license and regulate pet establishments in the province of New Brunswick.

The 2013 Summit for Homing (sponsored by IAMS) recognizes an organization that demonstrates innovation, commitment and success in the homing of animals through adoption, sale, return-to-owner, re-homing and/or fostering programs.

And the winner is... James McLean (Toronto Animal Services) with 42% of the vote for creating relationships and for resourcing multi-species homing activities on behalf of Toronto Animal Services. 

The Summit Award for Breeder (sponsored by Pets Plus Us) recognizes a breeder of companion animals with five or more years of breeding experience that is compliant with codes of ethical conduct and who demonstrates a high level of professionalism and commitment to the industry.

And the winner is... Bundas Bengals Cattery with 60% of the votes for producing cats and dogs that do not require cropping or docking and breeding of Bengals where she continues to improve the standards and experience for those who receive her kittens into their home.

The Summit for Retailer (sponsored by PIJAC Canada) recognizes a retailer of pet products and services who has developed a reputation and frequent connection to pet families which has enhanced the lives of pets and people in the community (ies) they serve.

And the winner is... Planet Paws Pet Essentials with 54% of the votes for raising funds through store initiatives and hosting community events and for Recognition by Nova Scotia Legislature for pet nutrition radio show and blog.

The Summit for Individual Achievement (sponsored by IAMS Canada) recognizes an individual who is currently active in the companion animal industry and who is well regarded for their achievements. Preference will be shown for those who actively mentor and support the development of leaders and professionalism in the industry.

And the winner is: Randy Valpy (Pets Plus Us) with 41% of the votes for being an innovator in the pet community and the pet health industry over the past 12-years, and for developing programs to educate pet owners on the cost of care and the importance of a safe and healthy pets.

2013 Summit Award Finalists

The Industry has spoken, here are the top two finalists for the 2013 Summit Awards:

Breeder
Bundas Bengal Cattery – Trysh  Tolhurst
Starstruck Labradors – Valina Pope 

Communication

Associate Veterinary Clinics – Dr. Jayne Takahashi  

Bountiful Films – Helen Slinger

Community Collaboration
Michelle Lem + Community Veterinary Outreach 
WOOF + Department of Justice

Community Compliance
Ontario SPCA – Judith Aubin

Toronto Animal Services – Mary Lou Leiher 

Distinguished Service Provider

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society - Holly Wiseman

London Animal Centre – Kent Lattanzio 

Homing
Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society – Deanna Thompson

Toronto Animal Services – James McLean

Individual Achievement

Samantha Sanford – Atlantic Veterinary  

Randy Valpy – Pets Plus Us

Lifetime Achievement
Deborah Chalmers

Paul Melanson

Product or Service Innovation

Pets Plus Us – Randy Valpy
Woof + Nova Scotia Department of Justice – Angela Poirier 

Retailer

Pet Valu Store Clayton Park – Allyson Smith
Planet Paws Pet Essentials – Rodney Habib

Sheltering

Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario - Kathy Innocente 

Calgary Humane - Mark Takhar

Wellness

Atlantic Veterinary College – Dr. Peter Foley
BC SPCA – Geoff Urton

The 2013 Summit Awards will be presented during the Awards Gala on Friday, 18 October 2013. This event is open to the public.