HomeSafe Automated Animal Recovery Service Needs a Rescue

The service that assisted 340,000 animal recoveries across Canada is now in need of a rescue itself.

Managing Director, Larry Evans, today advised that HomeSafe™ has exhausted its cash reserves and has been forced offline. “The company has a large active subscriber base, a compelling vision and a unique technology, but has been unable to discover the financial backing it requires to continue operations”, said Evans.

Urban Animal Corporation is most concerned about a million plus active subscribers and the more than eight million public users who rely on HomeSafe™ to protect and recover lost animals in over 300 communities across Canada. During the past 18 months the M&A team was unable to conclude a deal to sustain operations.

“By making this announcement today, HomeSafe is launching an emergency flare and signalling distress,” said Evans. “While we still hope the ‘ship’ may be saved, we have turned our attention to saving the people and animals we serve.”

Urban Animal Corporation has suspended recovery services until further notice and will await contact from those equipped to help rescue the good ship HomeSafe™.

Wildfires - HomeSafe Offer Expands to BC Evacuees

After the Fort McMurray evacuation in early May, Pets Plus Us, HomeSafeTM and Kijiji launched a pet rescue/recovery initiative for displaced people with pets - offering complimentary access and a lifetime animal record on the HomeSafe™ system.

With wildfires also flaring up in British Columbia, any evacuees from that province are also being offered this service.

This disaster recovery initiative allows those who have been displaced to register their pets without cost in the HomeSafe™ Automated Return to Owner system so they are protected as they experience confusion during an evacuation.

Those with lost animals can also register so the system can automatically match with animals being found and registered by volunteers and first responders in the affected areas.

Organizations and individuals who find animals post them on HomeSafeTM - creating a centralized lost and found database for all animals displaced by the fire. Contact Cori Imbery to establish access credentials as a CRA registered organization, municipal/provincial government agency or an authorized volunteer.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Evacuees:

Go to HomeSafeTM Website

Your code is PPU-FIRE-YMM

Pet Rescue Goes to New Heights - First Class Flights for Fort McMurray Animal Evacuees

When Fort McMurray was evacuated, many people had to go North and were housed at oil company camps. They then needed to be evacuated from there.

Some were able to drive in convoys while others were flown south by Canadian North and WestJet airlines.

Despite strict airline policies about the transportation of pets, in this extreme circumstance pets were actually allowed in the cabin with their owners.

And the internet exploded with photographs and gratitude. 

Marshall Lutz

“Just like to give a huge shout out too the WestJet employee that went over and above what they had to do for me and my little aurora. First a gal that noticed my poor baby girl was way too scared to leave my side and cut the ties to her crate and told me i could bring her on to the plane for the flight, then the flight stewardess tried making her a bed. She was being stubborn and one of the employees gave up their seat so she could sleep on my lap. You guys are the real MVPs.” Marshall Lutz on Facebook

“Words cannot not express how thankful I am for your amazing customer service representatives in assisting me with getting my dog home after the Fort McMurray evacuations this past week. Two paws up💕” Dallas Dodman on Facebook.

Canadian North ended up having custody of a feline friend longer than anticipated when her owner went into labour. They’ve posted a series of tweets while caring for the cute cat. 

“1 of our evacuee passengers from #YMM has gone into labour so our #yeg flight ops team is looking after "Meow Meow"!” Canadian North tweeted.

When asked by various media outlets how many animals they have flown, Canadian North couldn’t give a number. They simply say "a lot" and everything from dogs and cats, to turtles, gerbils and birds.

"There really were no other options," Canadian North spokesperson Kelly Lewis told CBC. "We weren't going to let people leave their pets behind. We know how much they love them and we love animals, too."

WestJet and Canadian North made a huge impact on the lives of people who have been through a harrowing time and have deservedly generated a ton of corporate good will.

Other businesses have generously supported the Fort McMurray animal rescue efforts with Champion Pet Foods donating food and Pets Plus Us, HomeSafe and Kijiji offering complimentary use of the HomeSafe automated online lost and found system to help reunite pets with their people.

Any Fort McMurray evacuee can receive a lifetime subscription to HomeSafe at no charge for their pets.

Numerous animal organizations are working to rescue and reunite animals, including the Edmonton Humane Society and Alberta SPCA.

InfoStream reached Fort McMurray SPCA staff on Friday when they were still an hour away from returning to their facility which is, thankfully, still standing. They expressed gratitude for all of the support and encouraged anyone interested in helping to make a donation through their website.

Kijiji Joins Initiative to Help Alberta Fire Evacuees

Longtime Urban Animal supporter Kijiji Canada has stepped up to help people and their animals at a time of crisis.

Anyone displaced by the Fort McMurray wildfire can now access their free lifetime subscription to HomeSafeTM directly from the Kijiji website.

This direct connect feature is one of many actions Kijiji has taken over the past few years to improve the lives of people and their animals.

They began by eliminating free animal listings in an effort to assist in actions against illegal pet vendors. This was followed by implementation of a pet blog to provide readers with tools relating to pet adoption and sourcing, homing and health and safety.

Manager of Communications, Shawn McIntyre, was even a keynote speaker at the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in 2014.

Kijiji Canada joins Pets Plus Us and HomeSafeTM in this animal Rescue/recovery initiative for those displaced by Alberta wildfires.

Alberta Wildfire Evacuees - How to Use HomeSafe

Anyone evacuated due to the Fort McMurray wildfire can receive a lifetime subscription to HomeSafeTM for their pets.

Organizations and individuals who find animals can post them on HomeSafeTM as well - creating a centralized lost and found database for all animals displaced by the fire.

If everyone uses the system, there will be no need to search multiple websites and pages for lost pets. The system is automated so while rescuers are searching for pets and evacuees are rebuilding their day-to-day lives, it is matching lost and found pet reports.

This should simplify the process of reuniting animals with their owners and reduce the stress of the evacuees during such a terrible time.

Evacuees who escaped with their pets are also eligible. During displacement and times of stress, it’s easy for animals to get lost. A subscription provides protection in case that happens.

This complimentary service is available thanks to Pets Plus Us and HomeSafeTM.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Evacuees:
Your code is PPU-FIRE-YMM

Pets Plus Us™ and HomeSafe™ Launch Animal Rescue/Recovery Initiative for those displaced by Alberta Wildfires

Enter PPU-FIRE-YMM HERE

http://www.petlynx.net

The disaster response teams of Pets Plus Us and HomeSafe™ have initiated a pet rescue/recovery operation for people displaced by Alberta Wildfires. Animal owners may use the Pets Plus Us voucher code above to gain free access and a lifetime animal record on the HomeSafe™ system. Adding an animal picture and detailed information such as medical, nutritional and behavioral elements can sustain life.

This disaster recovery initiative allows those who have been displaced to register their pets without cost in the HomeSafe™ Automated Return to Owner system so they are protected as they experience confusion during an evacuation.

Those with lost animals can also register so the system can automatically match with animals being found and registered by volunteers and first responders in the affected areas.

Agencies and volunteers use the system to record and automatically match animals they encounter. Contact Cori Imbery to establish access credentials as a CRA registered organization, municipal/provincial government agency or an authorized volunteer.

Pets Plus Us is more than just an insurance company offering medical benefits for the animals we love. They are building a community of organizations that empower and inform responsible pet owners while helping them deal with the joys and challenges of pet ownership.

The HomeSafe™ RTO System was developed during the Katrina Disaster and has been employed in floods, wildfires and large scale events across Canada to assist and recover more than three hundred forty thousand animals since coming into service.  HomeSafe™ is the world’s only customer owned, privacy compliant, online service for companion animals. Owners store information, manage access and receive the best/only Automated Return to Owner service for the life of their animal(s). HomeSafe™ is the only recovery system in the world that doesn’t require pre-registration. It now holds more than a million registered animals in Canada.

Time to say thanks to Procter and Gamble/IAMS

The pace of change has quickened. Changes in communities, in industries, in organizations and in relationships occur constantly and often without a backward glance. But today, PetLynx pronounced  gratitude and recognition of a fruitful era, which has drawn to a close. 

IAMS Canada (Procter & Gamble), concluded its longstanding partnership with PetLynx and the Urban Animal™ programs as the company refocuses its commitments and affiliations. IAMS sponsored the PetLynx recovery system since its inception in May of 2006, PetLynx grew the recovery system to be Canada's best and only automated recovery service for animals. Today, the service is active in 341 communities across Canada and has recovered more than 295,000 animals. 

In addition, IAMS has proven a staunch supporter of Urban Animal™ programs by providing sponsorship investments for multiple events over the years. As Presenting Sponsor of programs for seven years, IAMS established its brand as an industry leader and collaborator.  

During the coming weeks, both programs will be re-factored and moved to other sponsors. However, both PetLynx and IAMS will have these accomplishments as elements of their service heritage. 

On behalf of hundreds of thousands of pet owners who were served across Canada, it is time to say Thank You! Thank you to Procter & Gamble's management team for supporting a new vision and thank you to the IAMS team who collaborated in the field to create successful recovery service.