BUSINESS - World Class Innovator Moves Up in Animal Health

Valpy Moves to Apply Builder Skills to LifeLearn

Friday was the last day for Randy Valpy in the pet health insurance business. His 15 year career in pet insurance was capped with the development of the innovative Pet Plus Us brand for Royal Sun Alliance.

Pet Plus Us was recently sold to Pethealth, a Fairfax Company operating in the UK and across North America.

PPU colleagues say 'thanks'

At the Pet Plus Us farewell luncheon, Valpy was presented with a framed “Thank You” incorporating the remarks and best wishes of his colleagues.

Few people have achieved Valpy’s reputation as a builder of businesses and brands.

In addition to Pets Plus Us, he was responsible for building Canada’s first pet insurance brand, Pet Plan; Canada’s largest pet insurance brand, Petsecure; and, Canada’s first pet insurance underwriter, Securican.

These four brands were successful at meeting business goals and each was later acquired by other interests.

In addition to building brands and businesses, Valpy worked to create a more collaborative industry as a co-founder of the Summit for Urban Animals and co-founder of the North American Pet Health Industry Association (NAPHIA).

Lisa Milton congratulates Randy Valpy

In recognition of his achievements, Valpy was awarded the 2013 Summit for Individual Achievement by his peers in North America.

The award was sponsored by IAMS Canada to recognize an individual whose innovation, skills and achievements are respected by the entire companion animal industry.

On Monday, Valpy will move up in the animal health value chain to lead LifeLearn Inc.

This organization has an important role to play; equipping businesses to lead in the animal health industry as they meet the challenges of the digital environment and learn to succeed in a consumer driven economy.

BUSINESS - Valpy Departure from Pets Plus Us Unexpected

Randy Valpy, noted developer of Canada’s leading pet health insurance brands, Petsecure and Pets Plus Us and founder of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is leaving the pet health insurance industry.

In June 2016, Pethealth, a Fairfax Company, acquired Pets Plus Us from RSA and added this book of business to Canadian operations for Pethealth. Valpy became Vice President & Managing Director, Pet Insurance at PTZ Insurance Services Ltd. and continued in his role as Top Dog at Pets Plus Us.

Valpy received the Urban Animal Summit Award for Individual Achievement in 2013 for his strong collaborative goals and resolution to create healthy communities for people and pets.

The Summit for Individual Achievement recognizes an individual who is currently active in the companion animal industry and who is well regarded for their achievements.

According to the industry sources, Valpy will leave PTZ Insurance Services effective December 9th and take up responsibilities as President and CEO of LifeLearn in Guelph, Ontario, on December 12th.

Eric Coulson, Director of Sales and Operations for Pets Plus Us is expected to be named as interim ‘Top Dog’ and leader of the Pets Plus Us brand in Canada.

InfoStream has extended an invitation to interview both Eric and Randy about their new roles. 

Alberta Wildfire - Animal Rescue Update

Bella (ASPCA)

The Alberta SPCA has been posting daily updates on the status of the animals in their care that have been rescued from Fort McMurray.

As of this morning:

1,160 animals have been admitted since May 8

725 animals have been reunited with their owners

169 animals are scheduled for reunions

230 animals are without owner contact

Heartwarming photos of some of the reunions have been shared on the Alberta SPCA Facebook page as well.

(ASPCA)

Individuals and organizations have been pulling together to help the people of Fort McMurray in an amazing way.

The organizations involved in animal rescue and recovery efforts include the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray SPCA, Edmonton Humane Society, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force, Animal Care & Control Centre - Edmonton, Calgary Humane Society, Red Deer & District SPCA Main Page, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society - AARCS, ZOE's Animal Rescue Society, Humane Animal Rescue Team (hart), Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, CaliCan Rescue Foundation, Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue Society, Saving Grace Animal Sanctuary - Canada, Barrhead Animal Rescue Society, Meika's Bird House and more.

Companies like Associate Vet Clinics have been collecting supplies and food and offering free boarding; and Pets Plus Us, Kijiji and HomeSafeTM came together to offer complimentary subscriptions to all evacuees’ pets on HomeSafeTM, an automated lost and found system that can help reunite people with their animals.

 

Rocky & Rambo (ASPCA)

Butterball (ASPCA)

Oscar (ASPCA)

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

Alberta Wildfire - Animal Rescue and Reuniting Underway

The rescue of animals left behind during the Fort McMurray wildfire evacuation has not been without drama and controversy.

Initial news stories reported “rogue” rescuers entering the city without permission from the RCMP or other emergency personnel. Officials believing the city was not safe and, rescuer, Sam Sansalone voicing people’s worst fears, telling the Huffington Post, "This is a mass grave, in basements, in crates.''

(Alberta SPCA)

In the meantime, government agencies, humane societies, SPCA’s and rescue groups around the province were marshalling resources and planning the mass rescue operation. The Regional District of Wood Buffalo created an online form and encouraged all evacuees who had to leave pets behind to use this form to facilitate their rescue.

Fort McMurray SPCA staff returned to the city on Friday and, working with other organizations, began to support the animal rescue effort. They re-opened the shelter to provide temporary housing for rescued pets prior to transport to the pet evacuation pickup centre and provided some medical treatment.

The shipping of hundreds of animals to Edmonton began on Sunday.

The Alberta SPCA announced that as of yesterday morning 612 animals had been checked in and health-checked, 50 animals had been reunited with their owners and 67 were scheduled for reunions at the Fort McMurray People and Animal Reunion Centre in Edmonton.

Sassy

“Sassy has been rescued! We would like to take a few minutes to send out a great big thank you and heartfelt gratitude to those wonderful people who have been rescuing pets who had to be left behind in Fort Mac during the emergency evacuation. No words can convey how great flu [sic] we are for your efforts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Sincerely hoping all pets are rescued, health and reunited with their families. The stress and uncertainty is overwhelming. Take care, stay safe!” Carol Sparker wrote on the Alberta SPCA Facebook page.

In thanking the organizations involved in the rescue - Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Edmonton Humane Society, Calgary Humane Society, Red Deer & District SPCA Main Page, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force, Fort McMurray SPCA, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society - AARCS, ZOE's Animal Rescue Society, Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, Humane Animal Rescue Team (hart), CaliCan Rescue Foundation, Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue Society and all the other volunteers - they showed the large amount of resources involved in making this happen.

Despite best efforts, there is still confusion about what the evacuees should do to find their missing animals.

Pet owners are posting on the facebook pages and twitter accounts of multiple organizations, asking for information about their pets, wondering why no one has given them updates.

“There are so many places to look, but I'm not even certain someone went to Willow's address to save her? I have been looking for her all over FB and I don't know the best source to even follow anymore.” Kim Brown on the Fort McMurray SPCA Facebook page.

HomeSafe, along with Pets Plus Us and Kijiji, are providing complimentary lifetime subscriptions to any pet owner displaced by the wildfire - whether they are missing or not. During displacement and times of stress, it’s easy for animals to get lost. A subscription to this automated lost and found service provides protection in case that happens.

Officials are requesting that all pet owners who left pets behind fill out Wood Buffalo’s online form which can be linked to from almost every animal organization’s website or Facebook page.

Alberta SPCA stated that animal rescue is still taking place 24/7 in the city but the process will take some time - pets need to be rescued, transported, examined and then matched with owner descriptions.

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.

Pets Plus Us Talks National Cupcake Day

With National Cupcake Day just two weeks from today, fundraising is well underway across the country. Individuals and businesses have been hosting cupcake sales for their local humane societies and SPCAs. 

Sponsors are an integral part of any fundraising event. Pets Plus Us, Gold Sponsor of National Cupcake Day, is a great example of the value of corporate support.

Randy Valpy & Bruin

This week on the Ontario SPCA's Animals' Voice podcast, Randy Valpy, 'Top Dog' at Pets Plus Us, shares why the company got involved with event and how they plan to celebrate it in their office. 

Listen to the podcast!

It's not too late to register, start baking and raise funds to support homeless, abused and injured animals. There are even great fundraising prizes for the top individual, community team and corporate team.

PetLynx Activity - November 2015

The PetLynx Utility generated the following activity for the 12 months ended November 30, 2015:

• 13,449 Net New Subscriptions (NNS) animals
• 1,018,561 Active Residual Subscriptions (ARS)

• 13,786 New New Associates (NNA) owners/service providers
• 913,491 Active Residual Associates (ARA)

• 15,381 RTO episodes in Pets Plus Us sponsored HomeSafe™ program
• 328,544  Total return to owner (RTO) episodes

• 11,289,987 web visits
• 398,791 logins

PetLynx Activity - October 2015

The PetLynx Utility generated the following activity for the 12 months ended October 31, 2015:

• 13,839 Net New Subscriptions (NNS) animals
• 1,017,774 Active Residual Subscriptions (ARS)

• 14,227 New New Associates (NNA) owners/service providers
• 912,644 Active Residual Associates (ARA)

• 15,726 RTO episodes in Pets Plus Us sponsored HomeSafe™ program
• 327,457  Total return to owner (RTO) episodes

• 11,957,525 web visits
• 411,215 logins