B4 U GET A PET Check Out This New Website

Have you ever found yourself going from site to site, searching for information on getting a pet? Wondering what type of animal would be best for you or how much you should budget for one?

B4U GET A PET was developed with people like you in mind. Created by a group of researchers from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in Guelph, Ontario, this website is a valuable resource for potential pet owners.

“It’s important for us to choose a pet that matches our lifestyle and expectations so we are sure to find the right personality for our situation and household,” says Dr. Jason Coe, faculty with the OVC Department of Population Medicine. “Research has shown that the success of a human-companion animal relationship is influenced by whether an owner’s expectations can be met by the pet and whether the needs and lifestyle of the owner and personality of their pet match.”

Coe and his team have loaded the website with practical, evidence-based information in an accessible, easy-to-use site.

There is a fun cat and dog quiz to test your pet knowledge and customizable budget forms to fill in that give a clear idea of costs. Information about bringing pets home and introducing them to other animals and children can be found.

The website also provides specific questions prospective owners can ask whether they are sourcing their new pet from a breeder, animal shelter or rescue, pet store, online source or from a friend.

“Regardless of the source, there are a number of questions we should be asking when getting a new pet. We want to make sure we are making an informed decision, because ensuring a lasting relationship even before it starts is in both the pet’s and our best interest,” says Coe.

Not only is the website a great source of information for the potential pet owner, shelters, breeders, animal control, pet stores and others in the animal industry can use B4 U GET A PET as a one-stop-information-shop for their clients.

Petsecure promotes Pet Health Insurance Month

Veterinary clinics across Canada are partnering with Petsecure pet health insurance during the month of September to raise awareness on the benefits of insuring your pet. 

Participating clinics will be decorating waiting rooms to promote and increase awareness which, according to a survey from Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Magazine, can mean the difference between life and death. The survey found pet owners choosing euthanasia for economic reasons is not uncommon. 

"When a dog or cat with a treatable condition is euthanized because of economics, the situation can be devastating," said Colleen Skavinsky, chief veterinary officer at Petsecure. "Not only for the pet parents, but also for the hospital staff who have devoted their careers to keeping pets healthy. Pet health insurance allows pet owners and veterinarians to make medical decisions based on what's right for their pet without the worry of financial constraints." 

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Summit 2013 Brings Together Four Industry Conversations

In June, the agenda for Summit 2013 revealed four conversations for the 2013 Facts and Evidence Session:

• Consumer service - Consumers can access everything, anytime, anywhere, online. What change does this demand within communities, organizations and within the Urban Animal Industry?
• Declining pet population - Statistics show the number of pets are in decline across North America. Why the lower numbers? Has the 'responsible pet owner' movement taken the joy out of pet ownership? Is the industry guilty of fostering a judgemental approach to pet ownership? What are the implications of a lower pet population for industry, for communities and for pet owners?
• Cost of pet ownership - The cost of pet ownership has risen to levels that can't be supported by some elements of society. Yet pets have an important role to play with the elderly, the infirm and the dependent members of community. Healthcare has been a major contributor to the rising cost of ownership but there are others. Will the rising cost of ownership be mitigated by new strategies and services or will pets become objects of the elite in our society?
• Licensing compliance - Compliance is falling in many communities across North America. What is driving this decline in compliance? Are license fees just another form of tax? Can falling compliance be arrested with strategies that add value, positive experiences and lifestyle integration for pet owners who are compliant?

In the past six weeks three questions have arisen:

• Are these conversations connected? 
• What would drive the industry to develop strategies/tactics that created a more positive experience for pet owners? 
• Do existing Summit alumni have the answers or must others be attracted to these conversations?

Contributions and observations are invited using the LinkedIn Urban Animal Group