LAST CHANCE to Submit Summit Award Nominations!

Nominations for 2015 Summit Awards close Monday, August 31 at midnight! Get your nominations for deserving individuals and organizations in TODAY! 

NOMINATE NOW!!!

The Summit Awards are a valuable opportunity to recognize peers for the excellent efforts they bring to the Urban Animal industry.

Public polling to determine the top two finalists in each category will take place beginning early September. The top two nominees in each category are awarded a Scholarship worth up to $2,750 to attend the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, October 14-17. Scholarships include a Full Delegate Package and up to $550 towards travel costs.

Summits are presented using an academy style system of nominations and elimination rounds that feature the automated casting of secret ballots for each category. The nomination process begins immediately following the Regional Conferences and completes with the opening of the envelope indicating the winner of the Summit at the Friday evening gala of the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October. 

*Delegate package includes passes to all Urban Animal Sessions, three nights of Fairmont level accommodation, meals and gratuities. Nominees will celebrate collaboration, relationships and accomplishments with urban animal industry thought leaders at the Relationship Building Reception on Wednesday evening, the Foundation Dinner on Thursday evening, the Summit Awards Gala on Friday evening and the Urban Animal Keynote Breakfast on Saturday morning.

Get the Facts, Have YourSAY™, Move the Industry! 

2015 Summit Awards - Wellness Provider of the Year

The Wellness Provider Award recognizes the efforts of an organization to improve the overall levels of health and wellness for urban animals in a specific community, area of intervention or industry sector. Nominate someone today! 

Previous winners of the Wellness Summit Award:

• 2010 - Nova Scotia SPCA
• 2011 - Alberta Spay and Neuter Task Force
• 2012 - Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition
• 2013 - Atlantic Veterinary College (Dr. Peter Foley) for demonstrating that clinicians and volunteer organizations can collaborate to increase the overall wellness of urban and rural feline populations.
• 2014 - Medric Cousineau, Paws Fur Thought for his efforts with PTSD Service Dogs. By educating all levels of government, landlords and business owners, pet industry staff and the general public, Cpt. Cousineau has improved the working and living conditions for both dogs and their handlers.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Distinguished Service Provider

The Distinguished Service Provider Award recognizes a service provider that has achieved a remarkable impact on the lives of people and pets within a community. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Distinguished Service Provider Summit Award:

• 2010 - Alberta Animal Services
• 2011 - Calgary Humane Society
• 2012 - Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society
• 2013 - Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society 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.
• 2014 - Heather Brown, Playful Paws for her open-door doggy daycare policy. Playful Paws frequently opens its doors to local rescue organizations to help socialize dogs and promote them for adoption as well as provide much needed space for large transports of rescued dogs entering Halifax.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Homing Agency of the Year

The Homing Agency of the Year Award recognizes an organization that achieves success placing animals in appropriate environments for animals and people through innovative adoption, sale, return-to-owner, re-homing or fostering programs. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Homing Summit Award:

• 2010 - Edmonton Humane Society
• 2011 - Toronto Animal Services
• 2012 - Nova Scotia SPCA
• 2013 - Toronto Animal Services for creating relationships and for resourcing multi-species homing activities on behalf of Toronto Animal Services.
• 2014 - Risa Weinstock, New York City Animal Care & Control for developing its first mobile adoption center. The vehicle brings shelter dogs and cats to previously unreachable New Yorkers looking to adopt through five boroughs.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Communicator of the Year

The Communicator of the Year Award recognizes an organization that develops a concept and successfully delivers compelling content to promotes a better environment for urban animals. Nominate someone today! 

Previous winners of the Communication Summit Award:

• 2010 - Dogs in Canada Magazine
• 2011 - Nova Scotia SPCA
• 2012 - Ontario SPCA - Alison Cross
• 2013 - Associate Veterinary Clinics (Jane Takahashi) for recognizing the need and for establishing programs that enhance the pet owner experience at AVC hospitals and clinics across Canada.
• 2014 - Rodney Habib, Planet Paws Pet Essentials for his success in pet nutrition blogging and social media.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Sheltering Agency of the Year

The Sheltering Agency of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has improved the care and handling of animals in transition (recovery, intervention, transfer). Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Sheltering Summit Award:

• 2010 - Fredericton SPCA
• 2011 - City of Edmonton, Animal Care and Control Center, AB
• 2012 - Regina Humane Society
• 2013 - Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario for completing the amalgamation of the Perth and Kitchener Waterloo agencies and for increasing the live release rate.
• 2014 - Jim DeBoon, Klassic Kennels for his commitment to animals re-homing and return to owner programs in Central Alberta

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Collaborators of the Year

The Collaborators of the Year Award recognizes the efforts of two or more organizations (service providers) that work collaboratively to create a healthier environment for urban animals. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Community Collaboration Summit Award:

• 2010 - Fredericton SPCA
• 2011 - Calgary Humane Society & Alberta Animal Services
• 2012 - John Gray Vancouver Animal Control and 21 communities in Southwestern British Columbia (from Squamish to Chilliwak)
• 2013 - Dr. Michelle Lem & Community Veterinary Outreach Program for a collaboration that serves the Urban Animals of those who are homeless, marginally homed or at risk for homelessness.
• 2014 - Margaret Slater & Stephanie McDonald, ASPCA & Edmonton Humane Society for the research completed at the Edmonton Humane Society by ASPCA's Dr. Margaret Slater which confirmed that fee-waived cat adoptions are just as successful and valued as those that come with a price tag.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Lifetime Achievement

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose achievements has garnered the honor and respect of their peers in the Alliance for Urban Animals. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Summit Award:

• 2010 - Charles Simonds, CKC Foundation
• 2011 - Dr. Lynn Webster, MB
• 2012 - Bill Bruce City of Calgary
• 2013 - Paul Melanson 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.
• 2014 - Dr. Stephen Ettinger. Not only did Ettinger co-found the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, helped establish the Berkeley Veterinary Medical Group but he also published the "Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine," the gold standard in veterinary medical texts.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Breeder of the Year

The Breeder of the Year Award recognizes a breeder of companion animals with five or more years of breeding experience that is compliant with recognized Codes of Ethical Conduct/Certified Quality Mark and who demonstrates an exemplary level of professionalism and commitment to the Urban Animal Industry. All nominations must be approved by the Urban Animal Foundation Advisory Committee. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Breeder Summit Award:

• 2011 - Cathy Prothro
• 2012 - Starstruck Labradors
• 2013 - Bundas Bengals Cattery 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.
• 2014 - Sybille Brochu, Ellibyse Puppies for her dedication to animal health and educating breeders. The Ellibyse Puppies facility is regularly inspected by vets and received a perfect MAPAQ score.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Pet Owner of the Year

The Pet Owner Summit recognizes a pet owner that has demonstrated a mindful approach to pet ownership and the ability to think beyond themselves to create a better environment for all urban animals. Nominate someone today! 

Previous winner of the Pet Owner Summit Award:

• 2014 - Susan Thixton for providing a nutritious voice for pet owners. Through her blogs, newsletters and books, Thixton has been an inspiration to many around the world.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Individual Achievement

The Individual Achievement Summit recognizes an individual who is currently active in the urban animal industry and is well regarded for their achievements to improve the experience of pets and people. Preference will be shown for those who actively mentor the development of leaders and professionalism in the industry. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Individual Achievement Summit Award:

• 2010 - George Potter, Alberta Animal Services
• 2011 - Dr. Michelle Lem - Community Veterinary Outreach, ON
• 2012 - Esther Attard Toronto Animal Services
• 2013 - Randy Valpy - Pets Plus Us 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.
• 2014 - Erica Coomber, Alberta Animal Services for the adoption and re-homing programs with outside rescue agencies and pets stores in Central Alberta to maximize adoption levels.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.

2015 Summit Awards - Retailer of the Year

The Retailer Summit recognizes an organization in the retail sector that has achieved a remarkable relationship with pet families and has improved the experience of pets and people in the community (ies) they serve. Nominate someone today!

Previous winners of the Retailer Summit Award:

• 2010 - Pets West Pets & Supplies
• 2011 - Petland Kamloops, BC
• 2012 - Petland, Red Deer
• 2013 - Planet Paws Pet Essentials for raising funds through store initiatives and hosting community events and for Recognition by Nova Scotia Legislature for pet nutrition radio show and blog.
• 2014 - Brenda Kozub, Tisol Pet Nutrition and Supply for its work with local charities. Tisol helps pet families in need through its Pet Food Bank program, in-store donation boxes for spay/neuter programs, medical care and other needs. Tisol also raises funds for elementary schools for various programs.

The Urban Animal program’s mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead and innovate. The Summit Awards are an essential element of delivering on this mission. The Summits are presented annually using an academy style system of nominations followed by an open polling process.

For more information about the awards, process or merit criteria please visit Urban Animal.