Euromonitor Slide Deck on Pet Care Market Place

We have always followed the status of the pet care industry in Canada and thanks to our colleagues at Euromonitor International we have been able to provide our members with up to date information each Fall.  At the recent National Pet Industry Trade Show Svetlana Udusiliva, Senior Research Analyst for Euromonitor, delivered a one hour overview to industry execs.  A copy of this the presentation will be available via the link below for the next week and then will be archived in the PIJAC Canada's Member Section of our website thereafter. 

At PIJAC Canada we always have our ear to the ground listening to what is happening in the world of pets.  Industry statistics are available to PIJAC Canada members through the website and by contacting Susan Dankert at communications@pijaccanada.com.

Richmond Hill Decides to Collaborate Not Ban

A battle has been waging in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Activists have been working to discredit local pet store owner Elif Parnian of Pet Friends implying that she offers sub-standard dog and cats to her community.  After weeks of attacks, Elif finally had her say Monday night at a council meeting.   A brief presentation to council outlined Elif's business and husbandry practices, addressing accusations about her breeder and the care of the animals in her facility.  Supported by her customers, her veterinarian and proof of inspection for both her and her breeder's facilities, Elif was able to prove that she operates a top notch facility and offers healthy animals backed by guarantees and health records.  By the end of the meeting Councillors voted unanimously to pass a revised motion, changing it from how to stop the sale of dogs and cats in stores to how to stop animal mill animals from being offered in Richmond Hill by any source.  In addition Councillors asked Elif to join the city working group to investigate how to make this happen. 

Elif contacted us weeks ago to ask for assistance and we were able to offer her the Municipal Toolkit crafted to help members address this very situation.  It was our pleasure to work with her and offer her additional resources as she prepared.   We also congratulate Richmond Hill city council for doing their own research and being open to working with their constituents.  We will also be contacting council to offer our assistance.  This is an excellent example of what can happen when parties are willing to share their resources and accept the help of others in an effort to find solutions through collaboration.  This isn’t as much a victory for pet stores but more of a victory for allowing good sources to continue to offer healthy pets to their community.  Regardless of which side a stakeholder is on, city, breeder, rescue, citizen or business, the common goal must always be the well being of animals in our communities.  Each may come at it from a different angle, but ultimately, there is huge potential for change when all parties work together.

Richmond Hill décide de collaborer et non de bannir

Une lutte a été menée à Richmond Hill, en Ontario. Les activistes ont travaillé pour discréditer Elif Parnian, la propriétaire de l'animalerie Pet Friends en laissant entendre qu'elle offre à sa communauté des chiens et des chats non conformes aux normes.  Après des semaines d'attaques, Elif a finalement eu son mot à dire lundi soir à la réunion du conseil.   Une courte présentation au conseil a souligné la pratique commerciale et d’élevage d'Elif, portant des accusations contre son éleveur et les soins portés aux animaux dans son installation.  Appuyée par ses clients, son vétérinaire et sa preuve d'inspection dans son installation et dans celle de son éleveur, Elif a pu prouver qu'elle exploite un établissement hors pair et qu'elle offre des animaux en santé pourvus de garanties et de dossiers de santé.  À la fin de la réunion, les conseillers ont voté à l'unanimité pour adopter une motion révisée qui, au lieu de vouloir arrêter la vente de chiens et de chats dans les animaleries, veut plutôt arrêter l'offre d'animaux provenant d’usines à chiots à Richmond Hill par n'importe quelle source.  De plus, les conseillers ont demandé à Elif si elle voulait faire partie du groupe de travail de la ville pour déterminer la procédure. 

Elif nous a contactés il y a quelques semaines pour nous demander de l'aide et nous avons pu lui offrir la trousse municipale conçue pour aider les membres à faire face à cette situation particulière.  Cela nous fait plaisir de travailler avec elle et de lui offrir d'autres ressources.   Nous félicitions également le conseil municipal de Richmond Hill d'avoir effectué ses propres recherches et d'être ouvert à l'idée de travailler avec ses électeurs.  Nous allons également contacter le conseil pour offrir notre aide.  Il s'agit d'un excellent exemple de ce qui peut se passer lorsque les parties sont prêtes à offrir leurs ressources et acceptent d'aider les autres à trouver des solutions en collaborant.  Il ne s'agit pas nécessairement d'une victoire seulement pour les animaleries, mais plutôt d'une victoire pour encourager les sources responsables de continuer d'offrir des animaux en santé à leur communauté. Peu importe la position des parties prenantes; municipalité, éleveur, refuge, citoyen ou entreprise, le but commun devrait toujours être le bien-être des animaux dans notre communauté.  Chacun peut s’y prendre différemment, mais ultimement, si tout le monde travaille ensemble, le potentiel pour le changement sera significatif.

PIJAC Canada's 25th Anniversary Gala

PIJAC Canada's 25th Anniversary Gala was a night to remember.   Who knew a room full of industry people could have so much fun.   Laughter encompassed the evening.  Between the death defying juggling, crazy visual tricks and the antics of Master of Ceremonies, Robert Church, guest were treated to a delectable meal and humorous video messages of congratulations from industry leaders across Canada and around the globe.  Combined with the fun was an feeling of appreciation.  For PIJAC Canada it was thankfulness for all the companies who have worked so diligently to build the industry.   

The Gala also afforded an opportunity for the Council to recognize five  long-standing directors on the PIJAC Canada Board for their dedicated leadership.

Keith Burgess (Pet Paradise) President                                   15 years

Peter Hoeper ( Pisces Exotic Pet Emporium) Vice President      19 Years

Paul McGrath (Burgham Sales) – Treasurer                            19 Years

Tom Ferguson ( Nature Pet Centres) – Director                      16 Years

Jimmy Harrison (Pets Unlimited) – Director                           15 Years

Special thanks to Kassandra May for her photographic services

 “Born out of a love of pets, this industry is a vibrant and integral part of pet families across the country. This may be an anniversary for PIJAC Canada but more importantly it is an opportunity for us to applaud our supporters, those with vision, drive, determination and above all a passion for what they do and who they serve.” says Executive Director, Louis McCann.  “We are deeply proud of our members for taking the extra step in their businesses to get involved and work collectively to build something positive through PIJAC Canada."

Gala 25e anniversaire de PIJAC Canada

Le gala 25^e anniversaire de PIJAC Canada : tout simplement inoubliable! Qui aurait cru qu'une salle bondée de gens de l'industrie pouvait avoir autant de plaisir?  L'humour a fait partie intégrante de cette soirée. Entre les périlleuses épreuves de jonglage, les effets visuels cocasses et les plaisanteries du maître de cérémonie, Robert Church, les invités ont savouré un délicieux repas et visionné des messages de félicitations préparés par des leaders de l'industrie provenant de partout au Canada et d’ailleurs au monde. Dans cette ambiance festive, un sentiment de reconnaissance flottait dans l'air. Pour PIJAC Canada, il s'agissait d’exprimer sa gratitude envers toutes les entreprises qui ont travaillé d’arrache-pied pour construire l'industrie. 

Le gala offrait une occasion de reconnaître cinq directeurs qui siègent depuis de nombreuses années au sein du conseil d'administration de PIJAC Canada.

Keith Burgess (Pet Paradise) – président,                              15 ans

Peter Hoeper (Pisces Exotic Pet Emporium) vice-président      19 ans

Paul McGrath (Burgham Sales) – trésorier                            19 ans

Tom Ferguson (Nature Pet Centres) – directeur                    16 ans

Jimmy Harrison (Pets Unlimited) – directeur                        15 ans

Merci à Kassandra May pour ses services photographiques

« L'amour des animaux de compagnie est à l'origine de cette vibrante industrie qui fait partie intégrante des familles ayant adopté un animal d'agrément aux quatre coins du pays. Même s'il s'agit d'un anniversaire pour PIJAC Canada, l'essentiel est qu'il soit pour nous l'occasion de vous applaudir, vous, nos partisans munis non seulement d'une vision, d'une motivation et d'une détermination, mais au-delà de tout, empreints d'une passion pour ce que nous faisons et pour les gens que nous servons, » a souligné le directeur général, Louis McCann. « Nous sommes vraiment fiers de nos membres qui, par le biais de leurs entreprises, ont poussé leurs efforts en s’impliquant et en travaillant de concert afin de construire, par l’entremise de PIJAC Canada, une industrie dynamique. »
 

Planet Paws Pet Essentials #AWIEB

Sharing stories about the great things businesses do to support pets and pet families 

in their communities. #AWIEB

Planet Paws Pet Essentials – Dartmouth, NS
At Planet Paws we work with our provincial SPCA on fund raising. We support our local elementary schools with a 5% give back program where whatever is purchased from our shop goes immediately back to schools to help buy books and equipment to support local education programs. This year, Planet Paws partnered with Litters n’ Critters shelter to help bring in almost 60 pets from plagued Happy Valley Goose Bay SPCA and their forest fires. When there were malicious snares being reportedly set up in Shubie Park Dog Off-leash section, Planet Paws assembled a team with the help of the boy scouts of Canada and local volunteers, to sweep the entire area of any danger. We have also donated almost $75,000 back to the off-leash park this year.

Sneak Peak: National Pet Industry Trade Show This Weekend!

With just a few days left until the show we thought you would enjoy a preview of who will be exhibiting. Click on the SNEAK PEEK ad to have a look!... Registration will be available onsite: International Centre - Hall 5 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON Sunday September 15 10am - 6pm Monday September 16 10am - 5pm   Also this year...  Our "Animal welfare is everyone's business campaign TM" is back again. In addition to collecting stories about the great things you do to help animals in your community, this year we encourage you to bring a bag, can or box of pet food for donation to the Ontario SPCA.

Even more extras...

Did you hear? PIJAC Canada is celebrating 25 years! We are celebrating by offering our members FREE access to our brand new workshop "Dog Talk- Understanding Canines," as well as "Canine & Feline Food Allergies" and "Reptile Heating and Lighting" workshops, every visitor at the show gets a gift, and we're serving cake and refreshments at 2 pm in booth #84.

 

We also invite you to join your colleagues at our 25th anniversary celebratory gala on Sunday September 15th at 7pm. Please click here for more details.

Gala du 25ème anniversaire - PIJAC Canada

Formulaire de réservation

 

PIJAC Canada's 25th Anniversary Gala at the National Pet Industry Trade Show

 

Semi-formal

 Sunday September 15th, 2013

International Centre, Hall 5

7pm - 9:30pm

Reservation Form

Canada wide distribution of PIJAC Canada's Exotic Animal Policy

 We have received confirmation that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will be distributing our Exotic Animal Policy to their membership, which currently stands at close to 2,000 municipalities.  This move is in response to our invitation to the Federation to make use of the policy as a resource for their members.  We are delighted to be able to provide this to the FCM and look forward to potential collaborative opportunities in the future.

 In addition to our efforts with the federal and provincial municipal unions the Council has also been working our connections within the exotic animal world.   PIJAC Canada took part in the Western Reptile Expo in Red Deer Alberta recently.  Board member  Rob Church of Calgary, spoke with many families, breeders and hobbyists about the Council’s Reptile Certification program, safe handling poster series and of course, the Exotic Animal Policy.  “As a store owner, it was great to see so many people interested in reptiles and I was extremely impressed with the amount of educational materials on care available to the public.”    We will continue our efforts over the coming months to support exotic pet ownership by promoting education and collaboration at every opportunity.


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