Showing posts with label companion animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label companion animals. Show all posts

03 May 2012

Industry Leaders Comment on BC Breeder Reform Legislation

InfoStream reported last week that a private member's bill was introduced in British Columbia that would regulate the 'Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals'. Several industry organizations have now provided their perspective on this matter:

PIJAC Canada:
We support this Bill and applaud this initiative as it will ultimately result in healthier, better socialized dogs made available to people of British Columbia. Our association recognizes the need to address the issue of substandard breeding operations. We appreciate the fact that this Bill seeks to protect both the breeding stock and their progeny. In setting a template for proper veterinary care and husbandry, proper record keeping and proper socialization, this Bill addresses key components of a blueprint that will result in healthier, happier pets.

Joe Mauro, Chair, Task Force - Breeder Codes of Ethical Conduct:
Anything that makes our communities healthier and safer is always welcome and I will be watching intently the progress on this private member’s bill. My hope is the voice of the companion industry, in particular the breeders, will be heard throughout the process should this bill reach second reading. The industry has done some good work already with the establishment of the Breeder Code of Ethical Conduct and breeder input will be critical to creating effective and progressive legislation.  Personally, I would hate to see a repeat of what happened in Ontario with the pit-bull legislation which is currently under review by the government because it isn’t working and breeder input that would have been progressive was originally ignored.

The alumni and associates of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies have supported various conversations moving the industry toward breeder compliance. The Pacific Regional Summit last week, provided a sense the industry supports legislation that is complimentary to the national breeder codes of ethical conduct.

Moreover, the industry desires participation from those who support this bill, as the conversation develops toward certified breeder quality marks and a safe online marketplace for prospective pet families. Evidence provided at the Pacific Regional Summit seems to suggest that making prior knowledge and realistic expectations available to the marketplace can reduce or eliminate the number of animals that experience relinquishment in our communities.


Should the regulatory framework be national or provincial?
While no companion animal industry organization provided direction in this matter, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association recently commented on pending legislation in Nova Scotia for Consumer Protection that may be a useful perspective.

Please take a moment and provide your comments.


25 April 2012

Dog and Cat Breeder Regulations Introduced into BC Legislature

North Vancouver-Seymour's MLA Jane Thornthwaite introduced a Private Member’s Bill, April 23, specifically targeting puppy and kitty mills that will protect legitimate breeders and future pet owners. The bill know as Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals, outlines specific requirements for dog and cat breeders in B.C. to ensure the welfare of companion animals.

Why this matters:
  • This legislation will increase public awareness about the standards of care that dog and cat breeders must adhere to.
  • The bill declares that breeders of three or more female dogs or cats capable of reproduction will be required not only to understand, but meet, the standards of care in handling and breeding their animals.
  • Operators that fail to comply with the legislation will be subject to punishment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
  • There are currently non-mandatory regulations for breeders. This legislation implements mandatory regulations for animal care.
  • According to a 2007 Ipsos Reid survey, 38 per cent of Canadian households have a pet cat while 35 per cent have a dog. This bill will provide a measure of protection to owners by ensuring that their dogs and cats were bred in a healthy and humane manner.
To view video coverage of the introduction of this new bill, please click one of the links below:
North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite is joined by pet owners and their dogs at the Legislative Assembly on April 23 while she speaks about her bill, Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals.
Information and photo courtesy of the BC Government Caucus Communications department.


07 February 2012

Puppies or Robots - Children's Choice in Companions


Unless Your Dog Can Teach Math, Robots May Become Kids’ Favourite Companions in the Future 

Maybe it’s just an American Gen X thing, but what shapes my conception of robots in the home is the TV cartoon of the 1970s, “The Jetsons.” Rosie the Robot was amazing. She helped the family with housekeeping, cooking and keeping that dog, Astro, out of trouble during his daily hijinx. Boy, as a mother of three young children now, I could really use a Rosie the robot at my house!


Interestingly enough, kids imagine a whole different level of companionship from a robot. About 350 kids from six countries (Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, the UK and the US) were asked, “What would happen if robots were a part of your everyday life?” Only one in four of them had a “Rosie” in mind who would help with household chores.


Although there were some answers that revolved around game playing, the most notable responses were that robots would help them with homework. And… do a better job at helping than parents because not only could they help with spelling and math mistakes, but they could provide constructive criticism as non-judgmental friends without making kids feel self-conscious or embarrassed. Kids also felt that robots could help them think more critically, so instead of just being a vehicle of knowledge content, they would be an interactive tool in helping kids explore, create and collaborate.

To read the whole story: http://ow.ly/8Q9iL
 

06 September 2011

TravelCenters of America Welcomes 'Four-Legged Friends' to All of Its Locations

WESTLAKE, Ohio (Business Wire)

TravelCenters of America LLC ("TA") is adding to its full-service benefits by welcoming back-seat drivers of the furry kind to all travel centers within the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network.

Drivers will see a designated pet area at each location, inviting them to let their pets stretch their legs. And, while the canine and feline species can't be allowed inside, drivers can find a growing area of pet products on our travel store shelves.

"A lot of truckers take their pets on the road," said Tom O'Brien, President and CEO of TA. "We recognize the need for drivers to have a place where they and their pets are welcome," he added. Mr. O'Brien's dog, Smokey, added, "Woof!"

Taking full-service to an even higher level, the Iowa 80 TA in Walcott, Iowa even has a 24- Hour self-serve Dogomat™ Pet Wash next to the Truckomat(R) Truck Wash.


About TravelCenters of America LLC

TravelCenters of America LLC (TA), headquartered in Westlake, Ohio is a leading travel center business in 41 states and Canada operating under the TravelCenters of America and Petro brands. With convenient locations off interstate highway exits, TA and Petro offer their customers diesel and gasoline fueling services, full and quick-service restaurants, heavy truck maintenance services, 24-hour convenience stores, electronic communication (WiFi) and other services - all within large, high traffic facilities.

For more information on TravelCenters of America, please visit www.tatravelcenters.com.

For more information on Petro Stopping Centers, please visit www.petrotruckstops.com

29 August 2011

The Jet Set: Pet version

Further to our previous post on the new CMA's vote to ban pets from the cabins. Pet airways offers travel alternatives for pet parents.

Travelling with a pet can be a traumatic experience for both the pet and their parents. With the recent CMA vote to ban pets from aircraft cabins it looks like they will be forced to travel with the cargo and exposed to the cold, lowered oxygen levels and general discomfort.

For pet parents, subjecting a member of their family to these conditions will not be easy choice to make. But, alternatives are available, with the airline Pet Airways pets are not considered an additional cargo item. Not only do pets travel in the cabin, they are not forced to share the cabin with pesky humans. It is an expensive option, but given the popularity of luxury pet goods and services, it appeals to a growing consumer class.

According to the website:

You see, on Pet Airways, your pets aren't packages, they're “Pawsengers.” And every step of the journey, we'll take care of them as if they were our own.

These “pawsengers” are looked after by an in-flight Pet Attendant at all times and travel in a large enclosure within a cabin-controlled cabin with fresh, cool air.


About The PAWS Pet Company

The PAWS Pet Company, Inc. provides innovative pet services. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Pet Airways, is the only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets. Pet Airways' Pawsengers™ travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes - where pets are continuously monitored by an In-Flight Pet Attendant and the climate is controlled for maximum pet comfort. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their pets will be treated with tender, loving care by pet professionals throughout the journey. The airline launched flight operations in 2009 and currently serves coast-to-coast destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. The Company has also announced its upcoming expansion to Orlando, Dallas, Austin, Houston and St. Louis.

For more information on Pet Airways, go to www.petairways.com.

27 August 2011

CMA Votes to ban pets from plane cabins

The Canadian Medical Association voted in favour Tuesday of supporting a ban on all pets, except for certified service animals such as guide dogs, traveling inside aircraft cabins on all Canadian passenger planes.

Read more:

16 August 2011

PJ’s Pets ends puppy sales

PJ’s Pets stores announced Tuesday that it will stop selling puppies on Sept. 1.
It’s part of company plan to promote adoption from animal shelters or humane societies.

“There is a great need for pets to be adopted,” said Stacey Halliday, director of marketing. “But it’s a conflict of interest because you can’t sell and adopt out at the same time. It’s a new era for PJ’s. It’s been part of our business for 40 years”

Read the article by Vanessa Lu, posted in the Toronto Star.

28 September 2010

PetLynx and IdentiGen North America Sign MOA

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with IdentiGEN North America, Inc.  The purpose of this agreement is to bring DNA services to the companion animal industry.  During 2011 the parties will collaborate to conduct a pilot program with PetLynx associates in the Canadian industry.  The Parties believe DNA services will add an important element to the National Codes of Conduct and for identifying compliant breeders in the Canadian marketplace.

It is expected this service, together with the new BreederLynx™ portal, will assist compliant breeders to demonstrate the level of professionalism they bring to homing pets with Canadian pet families.  In the future, this service can also provide confirmation for those who acquire pets from compliant breeders, retailers and adopters that their animals have been screened for common genetic disorders.

22 March 2010

PetLynx registers 6,876 new entities in first 59 days of 2010

During the first 59 days of 2010, PetLynx registered 6,876 new entities of which 3,193 were pets and 3,683 were associates. At the end of February, the PetLynx Automated Recovery System stood at 319,868 registered entities of which 147,695 were pets and 172,173 were associates.

The business plan anticipated a 'many-to-one' ratio of 'associates' to 'animals' when designing the PetLynx model. At the end of February there were 16.5% more associates than animals registered in the PetLynx utility. Since associates are directly related to transactions either as pet families paying for services or as industry stakeholders providing services, management sees the ability to grow future revenues as being directly related to the number of associates registered in the PetLynx utility.

In July of 2009 the PetLynx V1 rate rose to 94% for the first time. At the end of February, PetLynx had automatically assisted 147,696 recovery episodes and for the first time in history achieved a V1 recovery rate of 100%. The V1 recovery rate is calculated as the cumulative number of recovery episodes divided by the cumulative number of animals registered on the system at the same moment in time.

With the highest V1 rate in the world PetLynx demonstrates the unique advantage its registration model has. PetLynx animals are registered for their entire lifetime with no additional cost unlike other services where the information chain breaks when fees to change records are refused.

These encouraging metrics provide evidence that PetLynx is the most effective and successful recovery service in the world today.

24 February 2010

PetLynx Announces New HomeSafe Initiative


23 February 2010

SecuriCan General Insurance Company, Canada's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, and PetLynx Corporation, Canada's innovative, cutting-edge provider of information services for the pet industry, are pleased to announce a new initiative for companion animals in Canada. Under this new collaboration SecuriCan and PetLynx will develop health insurance benefits for the new HomeSafe™ portal and offer pet insurance to all dogs and cats in Canada.


The Urban Animal Surveys conducted for PetLynx Corporation by Ipsos Reid in 2008 and dmrkynetec in 2009 clearly show that health and wellness is a top priority for pet families. These studies also show higher instances of surrender and euthanasia in communities where health care benefits aren't readily available for companion animals. To reduce or eliminate this situation the parties will work with municipalities, humane societies, veterinarians, breeders, retailers and other service providers in each community to ensure that every pet in the HomeSafe™ program is provided with medical benefits at the moment it reaches its first pet family home.


The HomeSafe™ program will provide a range of products and prices from three of the leading pet insurance brands in Canada. Pet families will choose the type of medical insurance that best meets their budget and their needs from among these offerings. Since this coverage will also be registered in the pet's record on the HomeSafe™ national system, those pets requiring emergency intervention will have the shortest path to medical attention in Canada.


There are over 14 million dogs and cats in Canada that require health insurance benefits. Using the HomeSafe™ program will give pet retailers, pet breeders, humane societies, veterinarians and other providers the ability to ensure the pets they place or service have medical benefits right from the beginning of each new relationship. In addition, pet families will manage their insurance coverage online using the HomeSafe™ portal where they manage their care profiles, breed information, recovery services, pet pictures and licensing.


'We believe this is the most comprehensive approach to improving health & wellness for companion animals in Canada', said Randy Valpy, President and CEO of SecuriCan General Insurance Company. We have already paid out more than $103,000,000 in claims which means Canadians can trust us. Now with PetLynx and the HomeSafe™ program we will take health and wellness to a new level'.


'Health care is one of the highest priorities Canadians have', said Larry R. Evans, President & CEO of PetLynx Corporation. 'Our colleagues across Canada helped us become the largest automated recovery system in just three years. Together with SecuriCan we will deliver a new level of health and wellness for pets and help Canadian communities become the best place for companion animals in the world.'


SecuriCan will launch this new collaboration in Canada on 19 April 2010, at the PetLynx Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.


For more information please contact:


Mika Sanson
SecuriCan General Insurance Company
204.942.2999 ext 7297
msanson@securican.ca
http://www.securican.ca/


Cindy Kreutzer
PetLynx Corporation
403.219.1088
cindy.kreutzer@petlynxmail.com
http://www.petlynx.net/


Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor