Lisa Chen decodes YourSAY™ Surveys and their importance to the companion animal industry during Session VII of the ISUAS

How can YourSAY™ surveys, conducted by PetLynx Corporation, assist leaders in the companion animal industry? Why are the survey's conducted? How can the data collected be sifted into different sectors and used to support the work stakeholders are carrying out in their communities? 

A director, trust and relationship builder and commitment to action speaker at this year's International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, Lisa Chen, PHD, will shed light on these important surveys as well as understanding trends, public opinion and benchmarking in the companion animal industry. 

The PetLynx team, supported by industry allies, will lead us through this tour of data and discovery about the industry. 

REGISTER FOR THE 2012 ISUAS

VIEW THE SUMMIT AGENDA

Get the Facts, Have YourSAY™, Move the industry

YourSAY™ 2012.6 - Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Dog Friendly Communities

The sixth public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded July 12th to July 26th, 2012. 

Recently PetLynx™ compiled industry data for a prominent film maker investigating Canada's most dog friendly communities. The job turned out to be more complex than expected because of the lack of clarity about what 'dog friendly' means. The purpose of the YourSAY™ 2012.6 is to discover what thought leaders of the Companion Animal industry value when determining what constitutes a dog friendly community. Can the industry agree on which criteria should be used? Should it be dog population density, use of compliance services, use of health care services, financial investment and/or the amenities a community offers?

Forty-five respondents participated in the PetLynx™ YourSAY™ forum for 2012.6 featuring opinions about dog friendly communities. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada. 

Highlights from YourSAY™ 2012.6:

• One out of three respondents chose British Columbia, almost one in four chose Ontario and one in five felt that Alberta was the most dog friendly province in Canada. Top dog friendly communities mentioned included Vancouver (22%), Calgary (16%), and Toronto (11%).
• When respondents were asked what criteria they used for naming Canada’s most dog friendly community, most common responses were about dog-related amenities (dog runs/parks, off-leash communities for dog friendly recreation, dog friendly hotels and restaurants) followed by animal welfare criteria (responsible sources of adoptable dogs, adoptions through shelters, low euthanasia rate shelters, animal welfare initiatives/legislation, # humane societies, and education).
• Interestingly, when asked to formalize one’s judging role as an industry expert awarding the most dog friendly community in Canada, respondents most commonly mentioned dog-related amenities followed by animal welfare criteria once again, but the gap between the two widened from the previous question percentages. Perhaps this is because animal welfare criteria are more subjective.
• A majority of respondents felt that dog population statistics are not important criteria to use when determining Canada’s most dog friendly community.
• When respondents were probed specifically about compliance, top factors for determining the most dog friendly community were spay/neuter, regular vet exams and vaccinations (other than rabies).
• In general, financial investment factors were rated as less important criteria than compliance factors. However, the top rated financial factor was general annual dog expenses.
• Top dog-related amenity criteria included: responsible source of adoptable dogs, dog runs/parts, and off-leash areas for dog friendly recreation.
• Respondents felt the highest ranking categories of criteria used to determine Canada’s most dog friendly community were: compliance services, health care and dog-related amenities.

Demographics of YourSAY™ 2012.6:
 

• Gender: 58% Female, 42% Male
• Age: 0% 20 years old or younger, 20% 21-35 years old, 36% 36-50 years old, 44% 51 and older
• Region: 40% Central, 27%% Prairie, 13% Pacific, 20% Atlantic 
• Pets: 80% Dog owner, 49% Cat owner
• Industry: 33%  Animal Welfare, 36% Animal Services, 20% Animal Health and Wellness, 9% Animal Control and Enforcement
• Executive Level: 24% C-Level Executive, 27% Senior Management, 22% Middle Management, 13% Individual Contributor, 13% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

YourSAY™ 2012.6 - What Defines Canada's Most Dog Friendly Community?

Recently PetLynx compiled industry data for a prominent film maker investigating Canada's most dog friendly communities. The job turned out to be more complex than expected because of the lack of clarity about what 'dog friendly' means. The purpose of the YourSAY™ 2012.6 is to discover what thought leaders of the Companion Animal industry value when determining what constitutes a dog friendly community. Can the industry agree on which criteria should be used? Should it be dog population density, use of compliance services, use of health care services, financial investment and/or the amenities a community offers? 

YourSAY™ Surveys are Powered by PetLynx™ to collect opinions from thought leaders that will illuminate future discussions about companion animals.

This YourSAY™ Survey closes on Thursday, 26 July 2012 at midnight Mountain Time. You may start and stop your participation to serve your convenience until you click the 'finished' button or until the survey closes. Click this link to proceed to the survey: 

YourSAY 2012.6 Survey

Your identity will be anonymous and any survey results will be shared in the aggregate. Summary results of this survey will be reported to industry on Thursday, 2 August 2012. 

The YourSAY™ 2012.5 Survey was reported on Thursday, 31 May 2012. See what leaders had to say about Animal Welfare.

YourSAY 2012.5 Results 

YourSAY™ 2012.5 - Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Animal Welfare

The fifth public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded May 17th to May 24th, 2012. Over time, the Canadian Companion Animal Industry has taken on the convention of labeling Animal Welfare an industry 'sector.' Here are the current industry sectors and their definitions:

• animal control/enforcement: those who administer licensing programs and by-law enforcement either privately or within a municipality
• animal health/wellness: veterinary clinics, emergency centres, behaviour, socialization and chiropractic
• animal welfare: humane societies, SPCAs and rescue organizations
• animal services: retailers, groomers, kennels, breeders, trainers, product manufacturers and all other service providers

Traditionally, those working for organizations such as the Humane Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rescue Societies, Animal Advocates and etc. have identified themselves as belonging to the Animal Welfare sector.  Each of these organizations have contributed to a broader understanding of Animal Welfare which now occupies the minds and hearts of pet families, service providers, retailers, veterinarians, animal care and control agencies and others who provide the infrastructure that companion animals rely upon. The vast majority of those involved in the provision of animals and the things they require for a happy, productive and sustainable lives now hold many of the same views on animal welfare. This widespread change in behaviors and culture now begs a question; Is Animal Welfare a sector of the industry or has it become an essential ethical element for everyone who is involved with companion animals?

Forty-eight respondents participated in the PetLynx™ YourSAY™ forum for 2012.5 featuring opinions about animal welfare. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada. 

Highlights from YourSAY™ 2012.5:

• The vast majority of participants (94%) considered themselves involved in animal welfare.
• Participants felt the top elements associated with the principals of Animal Welfare were: cruelty intervention (90%), responsible breeding and spay/neuter (both 88%), and prevention/dealing with abandonment/ relinquishment/surrender (85%).
• The majority of participants felt that each industry sector listed below is involved in animal welfare: Animal welfare (96%), Animal Health and Wellness (85%), Animal Services (77%), and Animal Control and Enforcement (73%).
• Almost nine out of every 10 participants thought that animal welfare is an essential ethical element compared to 13 percent of participants who felt Animal Welfare is an industry sector.
• Distinguishing Animal Welfare as an industry sector varied by the industry sector participants identified themselves with.  One in every four in the Animal Welfare sector felt it was in fact a sector vs. an essential ethical element.
• Just over half of all participants felt that the Animal welfare sector should be renamed (54%), and 44 percent thought Animal Welfare should remain an industry sector.
• Those in the Animal Services and Control & Enforcement sectors were mostly in favour of re-naming the Animal Welfare sector. Those in Animal Health & Wellness were equally split, while the majority of those in the Animal Welfare sector were in favour of keeping the name.
• Thirty-five percent of participants chose ‘Other’ as a preference for re-naming the Animal Welfare sector. Followed by almost one in every four participants who chose either ‘Animal Shelter, Rescue and Advocacy’ or ‘Humane Advocacy, Shelter and Rescue.’
• A majority of respondents felt that animal welfare had a broad definition of actions, including overall care and well-being. Also about one in every four mentioned animal welfare advocacy. Almost one in three participants felt animal rights was a philosophical, ethical, or political stance versus animal welfare being more action oriented. Animal rights was also described as using controversial methods for advancing the cause and against pet ownership (both 23%).
• Participants felt that the CCAC – Canadian Council on Animals (62%), the 5 Freedoms (45%), and the NCC – Nature Conservancy of Canada (43%) were organizations that align most closely with the values of their organization.
• Thirty-seven percent of additional participant comments were based on the importance of the bottom line, focusing on advocacy for animals, 30% of participants mentioned that the entire industry needs to collaborate around animal welfare and 15% discussed public education.

Demographics of YourSAY™ 2012.5:

• Gender: 58% Female, 42% Male
• Age: 2% 20 years old or younger, 15% 21-35 years old, 33% 36-50 years old, 50% 51 and older
• Region: 40% Central, 21% Prairie, 21% Pacific, 19% Atlantic 
• Pets: 68% Dog owner, 55% Cat owner
• Industry: 42% Animal Welfare, 29% Animal Services, 17% Animal Health and Wellness, 8% Animal Control and Enforcement
• Executive Level: 33% C-Level Executive, 31% Senior Management, 18% Middle Management, 6% Individual Contributor, 17% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

YourSAY™ 2012.4 - Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Animal Surrender and Abandonment

The fourth public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded March 29th to April 5th, 2012. Surrender and abandonment of a pet is a prevalent issue in communities across Canada. This survey measured what thought leaders of the Companion Animal industry think about surrender and abandonment (sometimes also called relinquishment), the underlying issues that force a pet family to surrender and abandon their pet, and the ways in which they think the industry should address the issue of surrender and abandonment.

Sixty-seven respondents participated in the PetLynx YourSAY™ forum for 2012.4 featuring opinions about animal surrender and abandonment. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada. 

Highlights from YourSAY™ 2012.4:

• Survey participants felt that pets that are surrendered or abandoned most commonly come from online resources (e.g., Kijiji, Craig’s List, etc.) (28%). Other common sources of pets that are surrendered or abandoned included unwanted offspring (24%) and pet stores (13%).
• Overall 46 respondents (70%) felt that a pet without training was a top factor that contributed  surrender or abandonment, 34 respondents (52%) thought pet family relocation/moving was another top factor and 29 respondents (44%) felt pet family personal issues were an important factor.
• A majority of participants (55%) felt that the cost of pet maintenance was a top priority for the Canadian Companion Animal Industry to address to deter surrender or abandonment of a dog.  Other important topics for the industry to address included landlords not allowing pets (42%), the pet family having no time for pets (35%) and pet illness(es) (33%).
• Almost half of participants (49%) felt that house soiling was a top priority for the Canadian Companion Animal Industry to address to deter surrender or abandonment of a cat. Other important areas for the industry to address included allergies in the family (42%), the cost of pet maintenance (39%) and landlord not allowing pet (37%).
• Under half of participants (46%) felt that mandatory spay/neuter was the best way to address the problem of surrender or abandonment. Following closely were industry coordinated public education (40%) and pet identification or microchipping (36%).
• Participants were asked to name the most important elements of an industry-wide coordinated initiative to eliminate abandonment and reduce surrender.  Top elements included importance of education/promotion of responsible pet ownership (39%), spay/neuter (26%), legislative/municipality issues (14%), industry collaboration/consistent industry messaging (12%).

Demographics of YourSAY™ 2012.4:

• Gender: 57% Female, 43% Male
• Age: 18% 21-35 years old, 34% 36-50 years old, 46% 51 and older
• Region: 45% Central, 31% Prairie, 13% Pacific, 10% Atlantic
• Pets: 81% Dog owner, 51% Cat owner
• Industry: 39% Animal Welfare, 24% Animal Services, 19% Animal Health and Wellness, 13% Animal Control and Enforcement
• Executive Level: 24% C-Level Executive, 34% Senior Management, 18% Middle Management, 7% Individual Contributor, 16% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. 
Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

Last Chance - 2012.4 YourSAY™ Survey - Surrender and Abandonment

Surrender and abandonment of a pet is a prevalent issue in communities across Canada. This survey measures what thought leaders of the Companion Animal industry think about surrender and abandonment (sometimes also called relinquishment), the underlying issues that force a pet family to surrender and abandon their pet, and the ways in which they think the industry should address the issue of surrender and abandonment.

We'd like to collect your personal opinions as a thought leader in the Canadian industry to illuminate future discussions about the issues of surrender and abandonment. This YourSAY™ survey will close at midnight.

Click the link to answer the survey:

2012.4 YourSAY Survey 

Your identity is protected and cannot be associated with the opinions you express. Summary results of this survey will be reported to industry on Thursday, 12 April 2012.
 

Thank you,

PetLynx Corporation
Market Services & Intelligence

The future is collaborative! 

2012.4 YourSAY™ Survey - Surrender and Abandonment

Surrender and abandonment of a pet is a prevalent issue in communities across Canada. This survey measures what thought leaders of the Companion Animal industry think about surrender and abandonment (sometimes also called relinquishment), the underlying issues that force a pet family to surrender and abandon their pet, and the ways in which they think the industry should address the issue of surrender and abandonment.

We'd like to collect your personal opinions as a thought leader in the Canadian industry to illuminate future discussions about the issues of surrender and abandonment. 

This YourSAY™ survey will close on Thursday, 5 April 2012 at midnight.  You may start and stop your participation to serve your convenience until you push the 'finished' button or until the survey closes. Click the link to answer the survey:

2012.4 YourSAY Survey

Your identity is protected and cannot be associated with the opinions you express. Summary results of this survey will be reported to industry on Thursday, 12 April 2012.

The 2012.3 YourSAY survey was reported on Thursday, 15 March 2012. See what leaders had to say about the National Companion Animal Coalition.

2012.3 YourSAY Report


Thank you,

PetLynx Corporation

Market Services & Intelligence

The future is collaborative! 

YourSAY™ 2012.3 - Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder the National Companion Animal Coalition

The third public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded March 1-8, 2012. Forty respondents participated in the PetLynx YourSAY™ forum for 2012.3 featuring opinions about the National Companion Animal Coalition (NCAC). Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada. 

Highlights from YourSAY™ 2012.3:

• Sixty percent of the participants had heard about the NCAC prior to this survey. Of the remaining participants, 35% had never heard of the NCAC and 5% did not respond.
• About half of all participants felt that the NCAC was essential, about half felt NCAC was non-essential, and the remaining 5% did not respond.
• The vast majority of participants felt that promoting public education should be a top priority for the NCAC. Other top priorities include: lobby government on behalf of the industry (51%), coordinate communications efforts of industry players (41%), act as a spokesperson for the Companions Animal Industry (35%).
• The most common changes participants would make to the NCAC were: expansion of membership (61%), formal governance structure (53%), establishment of administration to carryout NCAC mandate (50%), and establishment of membership (50%).
• About half of participants supported 'majority rules' and 43% support the current NCAC practice of 'consensus.'
• Of the 19 participants who supported 'consensus', 42% preferred to obtain additional facts until consensus was secured, 37% preferred to send the issue to an Urban Animal Summit OpenSpace session and 21% had other suggestions.
• Of the 22 participants who supported 'majority rules', almost three out of every four preferred to send the majority decision to the Urban Animal Summits to gather wider consensus.
• The vast majority of participants do not believe that the NCAC has a broad base of support among their industry peers.
• While almost three out of every four participants have not been assisted by NCAC actions, one in every five participants has had NCAC actions help their industry activities.
• Primary resources NCAC would require include: industry donations (53%) and third-party contributions (39%).

Demographics of YourSAY™ 2012.3:

• Gender: 59% Female, 41% Male
• Age: 15% 21-35 years old, 38% 36-50 years old, 45% 51 and older
• Region: 40% Central, 25% Prairie, 20% Pacific, 10% Atlantic
• Pets: 76% Dog owner, 58% Cat owner
• Industry: 38% Animal Welfare, 28% Animal Services, 18% Animal Control and Enforcement, 13% Animal Health and Wellness
• Executive Level: 20% C-Level Executive, 40% Senior Management, 13% Middle Management, 8% Individual Contributor, 15% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

2012.3 YourSAY™ Survey - National Companion Animal Coalition

The National Companion Animal Coalition (also known as NCAC), founded in 1995, to consider national issues and propose solutions that would be acceptable to the member organizations. Currently, the member organizations include Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Canadian Kennel Club and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada. Agriculture Canada participates as an observer since the Coalition's inception.

Several issues that have been dealt with over the years are breed specific legislation, use of electronic identification in companion animals, dog bite prevention, sample municipal animal control bylaw and resources to help pet owners make an informed choice when selecting a dog.

We'd like to collect your personal opinions as a thought leader in the Canadian industry to illuminate future discussions about the NCAC. 

This YourSAY™ survey will close on Thursday, 8 March 2012 at midnight.  You may start and stop your participation to serve your convenience until you push the 'finished' button or until the survey closes. Click the link to answer the survey:

 

2012.3 YourSAY Survey 

Your identity is protected and cannot be associated with the opinions you express. Summary results of this survey will be reported to industry on Thursday, 15 March 2012. 

The 2012.2 YourSAY survey was reported on Monday, 27 February 2012. See what leaders had to say about the Corporate Vet Care.

2012.2 YourSAY Report

 

Thank you,

PetLynx Corporation
Market Services & Intelligence

The future is collaborative! 

YourSAY™ 2012.2 Survey Results Revealed - Corporate Healthcare

Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Corporate Vets

The second public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded February 9-17, 2012. The survey captured public opinion related to one of the most read InfoStream blogs in 2012 which reported the VCA Antech purchase of the remaining shares of Associated Veterinary Clinics (AVC), Canada's largest chain of clinics.

Read the VCA Story

Forty-two respondents participated in the PetLynx YourSAY™ 2012.2 forum featuring opinions about Corporate Vet Care. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada.  

Highlights of  YourSAY™  2012.2:

• One-half of the participants felt negatively about the trend moving the delivery of animal healthcare toward large corporate entities and away from the owner/managed independent clinician. The remaining participants felt neutral about the trend [37%] or felt it was positive [13%].
• A slight majority of participants believe the rise of large corporate providers is inevitable due to modern healthcare demands.
• Two out of every three participants thought the capital required to deliver modern animal medicine disadvantages the independent owner/manager.
• The most common response categories for the implications of these resource demands included: financial impact, leveled care (e.g., specialist vs. generalist), pooling resources, consolidation of independent practices and collaboration
• Only one out of every ten participants viewed the investment of foreign capital in Canada, that is, the purchase of AVC by a large US corporation as positive.
• When framed 'as a local clinic backed by a large corporation', about one-quarter of respondents considered the move as positive .
• A slight majority of participants would expect to receive similar services from an independent owner/managed clinic versus a local clinic backed by a large corporation.
• The majority of participants thought they would get the best health services available and the lowest cost health services from an independent owner/managed clinic vs. a local clinic backed by a large corporation.

Demographics of  YourSAY™  2012.2:

·         Gender: 65% Female, 35% Male

·         Age: 9% 21-35 years old, 46% 36-50 years old, 46% 51 and older

·         Region: 41% Central, 37% Prairie, 13% Pacific, 9% Atlantic

·         Pets: 67% Dog owner, 63% Cat owner

·         Industry: 30% Animal Services, 30% Animal Welfare, 30% Animal Health and Wellness, 9% Animal Control and Enforcement

·         Executive Level: 24% C-Level Executive, 39% Senior Management, 22% Middle Management, 4% Individual Contributor, 11% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx. Copies of the complete 2012.2 YourSAY™ Survey Report including QT Verbatim, PowerPoint slides and Summary are available from PetLynx at a nominal cost.  
Please contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.