Rescue Dogs and Other Dilemmas - UA Forums at Summit 2015

The 2015 Urban Animal Forums on Friday are an integral element of the tenth annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Forums are intended to identify, research and recast dilemmas as opportunities to enrich the lives of people and pets in urban communities.

Leaders at Summit 2015 will be Dared to Disagree. The forums of Summit 2015 invite subject matter experts who will lead the attack on five previously identified dilemmas:

Service and Assistance Dogs (2015.A):

Anecdotal evidence suggests dogs can enrich the lives of people yet many initiatives are bogged down without an evidence base or accepted standards. Communities, airlines, school boards, penal institutions, service industries and breeders need industry help to recast this dilemma so more lives are enriched using companion animals.

Municipal Compliance and Ambassador Programs (2015.B):

Conflicts within the community arise between pet owners and other citizens who wish to use the same public areas. Across North America the rate of compliance associated with licensing and identification of pets is falling. The incidence of disruptive behaviors and aggression in dogs is rising. How can municipal bylaws ensure a safe environment for all? Can new approaches to licensing bylaws and enforcement succeed? The City of Calgary has obtained positive results using off leash 'Ambassadors'. Can the 'Calgary approach' be replicated to assist with other interventions? What kind of training is required? Can municipal budgets be redirected, reduced or eliminated? Do 'Ambassadors' enrich the lives of people and pets in urban municipalities?

Rescue dogs (Forum 2015.C):

Dogs are entering Urban Communities from around the globe and from other jurisdictions (breed specific legislation). As rescue dogs become more prevalent in the adoption environment from myriad sources, issues in the areas of health and socialization have emerged. How can health regulations be enforced? Who should be assessing dogs to ensure they contribute to a safe environment for people and animals? Is there a way to recast this dilemma as an opportunity to enrich communities or should these imports be shut down?

Compassion Fatigue (Forum 2015.D):

From volunteers to veterinarians, literature shows the Urban Animal industry is experiencing ‘care/compassion fatigue’ sometimes with deadly consequences. Does imperial evidence exist to define the magnitude of the problem and the possible solutions? Can a strategy be developed that solves this dilemma across an entire industry? Can the urban animal industry build emotional intelligence and resilience for human resources that eliminates critical interventions and removes this blight from professional careers?

Free-Roaming Cats (Forum 2015.E):

A new evidence based metric that determines feline populations in urban communities is coming forward from the 2015 Urban Animal IRED program. While cats have attracted passion and funding for at least 10 years, communities continue to battle issues associated with free roaming cats. Measuring the number and habits of free roaming felines now seems to be in reach. Are there new ways to recast a dilemma that has resisted mitigation efforts for several decades? Is everyone in the conversation that should be (public health, animal welfare, environmental)? Is it possible to have a respectful but rigorous debate that establishes a new path forward?

Open Space (Forum 2015.OS):

The Summit continues to gather subject matter experts who identify and recast dilemmas to enrich the lives of people and pets. The Open Space forum provides an opportunity for delegates to bring forward new dilemmas or initiatives that merit the attention of the Alliance for Urban Animals.

All Urban Animal Forums are facilitated using the Open Space Technology invented by Harrison Owen.

Summit delegate seats are filled by invitation and usually managed to 100 delegates for each Summit. However, for this tenth anniversary Summit a small number of additional seats have been added. If you or someone you know should contribute to these forums please contact Shannon Woodward.

If you have an invitation please register now!