The votes are in!

It is with great pride that we announce the PIJAC Canada member winners of the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Awards.  It was a brilliant evening full of excitement and celebration between all sectors as we recognized the best of the best in the field of pets.  The awards promote the strategies that build healthy communities for pets and people and to recognize those who achieve success.  Here are our member results: 

Retailer Award  

Planet Paws Pet Essentials: Rodney Habib (Nova Scotia)

Since opening in 2011 Planet Paws has raised funds through store initiatives and hosting community events: Raising close to $90,000 in funds for their local off leash park and other pet related charities. Rodney has been recognized by  the Nova Scotia Legislature for his pet nutrition radio show and blog,  honored by province: Golden Apple Award for educating children on pet health & wellbeing and donates 5% store profits to schools for local education programs and  5% store profits to local animal shelters.

Individual Achievement Award

Randy Valpy - Pets Plus Us

Randy has been an innovator in the pet community and the pet health industry over the past 12-years. He has developed programs to educate pet owners on the cost of care and the importance of a safe and healthy pet. He continuously shares his expertise on the pet market and helps to develop new talent in this areas of the industry. He has touched so many people in the pet industry over his 12-years that he is arguably one of the brightest North American executives in the pet health insurance space who truly gives back to the pet community both personally and professionally

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Paul Melanson - Chief Protection Officer & Inspector (Retired)

Paul implemented standard operating procedures and specialized officer training, increasing staff and animal safety. Despite severe financial challenges & seemingly indifferent government, he swayed the courts to adopt a stringent seizure policy & laying of court charges.  He was able to achieve this by building strong relationships with provincial police, RCMP & crown prosecutors.  In June 2010 years of lobbying paid off, when the province of New Brunswick introduced legislation to license & regulate pet establishments- first such legislation in Canada

We would also like to send our congratulations to one of our Director’s Trysh Tolhurst of PJ’s Pets also owner of Bundas Bengals Cattery. Trysh won the Responsible Breeder award for her upstanding breeding practices. This award recognizes a breeder of companion animals with five or more years of breeding experience that is compliant with codes of ethical conduct and who demonstrates a high level of professionalism and commitment to the industry.

The Summit Awards are focused on recognizing those within communities and within the companion animal industry who are achieving success. Congratulations to all nominees and winners for their dedication to raising the bar for animal wellness also to all the delegates at the Summit for what we achieved in just a few short days.