Murphy is HomeSafe!

Anyone hear this story coming out of the U.S. this week! What a great HomeSafe tale :) 

Guest Author Program

Much like our other blog InfoStream, we've always had a plan to use Guest Authors on HomeSafe. A week or so ago I put out the call to some of the Urban Animal Industry folks and asked for some stories about their pets. My theory is, the more we know about each other and our love for animals the easier it will be when we have to discuss topics we might not agree on.

Watch for any posts with the -GAP after them and get to know the people who work in this industry and the stories that surround them.

If you'd like to be a Guest Author please contact me.

Lisa Milton, Squish's Mom, @summitLisa, lisa.miltonwork

Pets Plus Us funds HomeSafe™ Recovery Services for all Canadians

PRESS RELEASE

CALGARY, AB - PetLynx Corporation is pleased to appoint Pets Plus Us as the new Sponsor of the HomeSafe™ Recovery Service.

As sponsor of the HomeSafe™ Recovery Service, Pets Plus Us is funding free recovery services (lost and found) to all Canadians. Now when Canadians lose or find a pet, the HomeSafe™ recovery service provides them with a place to post pictures, automated searches of shelters and pounds, printable posters and the very unique DataSketch™ technology that creates searchable digital profiles of the animals involved. 

Pets Plus Us already has a world-class reputation as the Champion of Pet Owner Happiness. All Pets Plus Us customers will receive a complimentary subscription to the HomeSafe™ Animal Record which stores all pet information online for the benefit of pet owners and authorized service providers.  This is in addition to the PetHub tag customers receive as a part of their Blue Ribbon Benefits. Blue Ribbon benefits are provided to all customers which also include thePetHelpFone, Compassionate Care Line, Pet Poison Helpline and other pet services.  

"We strongly believe pet registration is key to reuniting pets with their owners if they ever become separated," said Randy Valpy, Pets Plus Us Top Dog. "It's why we include the HomeSafe™ Animal Record program as part of our coverage."

Today, the HomeSafe™ portal provides recovery services to more than 350 Canadian communities. Since May of 2006 when HomeSafe™ launched online, the automated recovery service has assisted the Canadian public in more than 295,000 recovery episodes. In many cases lost pets are returned to their owners within hours of being reported lost. The Pets Plus Us sponsorship ensures the Canadian public will continue to be served promptly with the best automated recovery technology in the world. 

"By adding the strength of the Pets Plus Us brand to the HomeSafe™ Automated Recovery Service, we continue our tradition of service and underwrite our vision: Lifetime protection for Pets...  Peace of mind for people," said Larry R. Evans, CEO of PetLynx Corporation.

Pets Plus Us launched in the Canadian market in 2013 with a re-imagined pet health insurance model that includes Canada's first Wellness-only plan. High in their priorities is the support of a dynamic community that can empower pet owners to make the right choices regarding the wellbeing of each pet. This support of the HomeSafe™ recovery service positions Pets Plus Us as a world-class leader in the Urban Animal industry. Pets Plus Us is a founding member of the Alliance for Urban Animals, an industry group creating healthy communities for pets and people. Pets Plus Us is a division of RSA Canada, a leading home, auto, lifestyle and commercial insurer in Canada. 

ABOUT PETLYNX: The HomeSafe™ recovery service and pet owner portal is owned by PetLynx Corporation. The PetLynx Utility is a registry of Urban Animals that offers recovery services, medical records and connectivity to all registered service providers in the Urban Animal industry. PetLynx services are delivered across the Internet to all entities in a community, from pet owners to shelters, pounds, breeders, retailers and veterinarians. The PetLynx Utility is a proven game changer that in 13 years has registered nearly 10% of the total cats and dogs in Canada as well as the active consumers who own them. PetLynx is the largest, fastest growing and most recognizable pet service brand in Canada.

ABOUT PETS PLUS US: Pets Plus Us is on a crusade to create pet owner happiness. We've reimagined pet insurance with vet-designed coverage and Canada's first Wellness-only plan. We're also building a dynamic community that's empowered to make responsible choices for their pets' wellbeing. Pets Plus Us is a division of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and its products are offered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.

The Search For Leonard

"I stay up late to check Leonard's matches everyday. I can't believe all the
beautiful kitties I see and hope their families find them. The sheer volume
of grey cats alone astounds me. I would like to thank everyone involved from
Animal Control Officers, the folks that run this site to private citizens for
their Herculean efforts. The world is a better place because you are in it.
Although my heart is small it is filled with gratitude. Thanks so much. Keep
up the good work and have a great day. Now, let's find our lil'
Leonard.

Sincerely,Tina"

Above is an email we recently recieved from an appreciative customer, thankful for the effort put forth in the search for her missing cat, Leonard. Though the search has thusfar been unsucessfull there is still plenty of hope for Leonard; with the efforts of so many people from so many dirrections the PetLynx Corp as well as Tina have reason to believe that Leonard will eventually come back to her and - fingers crossed - in good health

Wackiest Pet Names of 2010

For many pet owners the names 'Max' and 'Bailey' may sound mundane and  simply boring. In order to pay homage to those who take pride in their pets’ unconventional names, Veterinary Pet Insurance set out for the third year in a row to find the 50 most unusual dog and cat names in the United States.

VPI employees selected the most unusual dog names from the company’s database of more than 470,000 insured pets, and narrowed them down by voting for the 50 most unusual names in each category.

Some of the funny names for dogs included: Pickle Von Corndog, Bettie Poops and Virginia Woof.  

Wacky cat names were Bing Clawsby, Cleocatra and Chairman Meow.

 

Does your pet have a funny name?

Share it with PetLynx HomeSafe followers!

Comment below or send us an email.

Read more funny pet names HERE.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

A Happy Holiday HomeSafe Story

A Happy Holiday HomeSafe Story


Max, our 13-year-old Shepherd/Husky-cross, ran away from home on December 17th. The last time we saw him, he was running toward the bush behind our home. My partner and I followed what we thought were Max's tracks through the fields and bush for two hours without setting eyes on our dog.

Our search was was very frustrating. We eventually become separated ... and, miles from home, I fell in the frozen field and sustain a knee injury. I was driven home by a kind woman whose backyard I finally found myself in.

As soon I returned home I posted a missing dog report on PetLynx. Then, I spent a very long, very sad weekend thinking that old Max  -- who's sight and hearing are very poor -- had either frozen to death or may have been attacked by coyotes.

My partner never gave up hope that Max would find his way home. Eventually, he did .... but not on his own!

A school teacher had spotted Max walking down the middle of the highway, being dodged and honked at by passing traffic. She loaded him into her car and took him to the Dundas Animal Hospital were they sheltered him and searched for his owner. They found our report on PetLynx and called me Monday morning.

We are so grateful to ...
the woman who drove me home when I hurt my leg,
the teacher who rescued Max off the highway,
the people at Dundas Animal Clinic who cared for Max,
and the people at PetLynx for helping Max get home ... safe!

You are all truly Christmas angels and we cannot thank you enough!!!!

        Merry Christmas

        Susan and Max

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Lost Cat Returned to Family after 2-1/2 Months

Another heart-warming HomeSafe story!

Saturday evening of the Labour Day long weekend I saw an orange cat hanging around in the dark in a big parking lot at a mall. I happened to have a can of cat food with a flip lid in the car, so I laid an open can down for him. He scurried right over and gobbled it up.

The cat was so hungry I knew that he must be lost... so I took him home, kept him safe in my garage, then posted his information on PetLynx and Kijiji. I knew I couldn't keep him as I already have three cats of my own.

If I couldn't find the owner, I had planned to take him to a neighbourhood vet clinic on Tuesday morning. On Monday, I received a welcome phone call and at 7:00 that night a man came over and identified the cat as 'Oliver'. His family was ever so grateful to have him back as he had been missing for two and a half months and they had assumed their much loved cat was dead!

I have since heard back from the family and was relived to hear that Oliver had settled back in nicely. Thank God for PetLynx! I had never used this service before. We have rescued and found homes for a number of cats over the years.... but this time it was so easy because of PetLynx! God bless you for your filling a much needed void the SPCA just can't match! 

Hooray! Deb E.

Calgary

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Lost, then Found, Thanks to PetLynx

Asha is a 9 year old, Shih Tzu but she looks and acts like a puppy. She has come to work with my husband and me since we opened our office in 2005. Our patients have come to expect seeing her as soon as they walk through the door, and as you might expect, Asha looks forward to seeing them, too

The day Asha went missing from our office was, by far, one of the worst moments of my life. We have had Asha since she was a puppy and I panicked at the thought of never seeing her again. Of course, worst case scenarios immediately ran through my head!

Three cheers for PetLynx!

Our goal at PetLynx is to provide pet families with the best possible chance for recovering lost pets by automating real-time searches of registered admissions at emergency hospitals, shelters, clinics, and pounds, and by providing important recovery tools the whole community can access with a simple web browser.

Whether it is PetLynx Automatch technology that helps bring a lost pet home or not ... we love a good HomeSafe story! Here are a few recent short and sweet accolades for PetLynx:

Thanks for the PetLynx Team, I found my cat Taddy. What a great use of the computer! He is so happy to be at home, his behavior has changed, he even sleeps with me and the dog now.

     Harry

Thanks to PetLynx I have found my pet. She was accidentally locked in my neighbor's garage.

     Sandra

Maggie has been found. Thank you, PetLynx, for this service.
     Cecil

I have Elli back ... thanks to the PetLynx website ... though it was a poster on a mailbox that ultimately resulted in her return. :) Please update my 'lost' pet to 'found!

    Thanks
    Gord

Do YOU have a HomeSafe story to share? Email us today!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

PetLynx Corporation passes the 1 Million registered entities mark

CALGARY, 24 November 2010: PetLynx Corporation is pleased to announce that it has achieved a significant milestone in the emergence of its production database by registering the one millionth entity in its automated pet recovery service.

PetLynx is Canada’s only information network for storing companion animal information and manages Canada’s most recognizable pet services brand. PetLynx automated recovery services are used in more than 211 urban centers across the country and the company has received support to move forward with automating recovery and information services for the rest of Canada.

More Short & Sweet HomeSafe Stories

PetLynx helps animal companions get home ... safe!


PetLynx turned out to be very successful for me as I found Oreo the very next night.  A lady had found him and posted it on PetLynx. Thank you very much for this site,  I didn't even know that it existed until my dog went missing.

    Sherry

I have PetLynx to thank for reuniting me and my pet! After three months of seemingly endless searching, within 5 minutes of posting her on PetLynx she was found! I was overjoyed with tears and was so happy to see my pet was safe. Thank you PetLynx and Calgary Animal Services. Without you I wouldn't have been able to find my cat :) .

   Kendra

Thanks to PetLynx I have my dog is now home safe and sound. I would like to thank you and your staff for a job well done. So, on behalf of Sheeba (my friend's dog which I lost) and myself, I'd like to thank all who helped with her safe return!

Pearl O.

Find out how PetLynx could help your pet get HomeSafe? Click here.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Happy, Healthy Cat Photo Contest!

At PetLynx Corporation we know that cats are much-loved and valued members of your family. So we want to share this good news about an exciting new photo contest!

America’s Golden Girl Betty White is joining forces with Sergeant’s® Pet Care Products and Morris Animal Foundation for the Happy, Healthy Cat Photo Contest.

The contest celebrates Morris Animal Foundation’s annual campaign to bring attention to feline health and features the wide range of products from Sergeant’s Pet Care that promote happier, healthier  lives for cats.

The contest runs October 26 to December 15, 2010. Enter @ sergeants.com

Thank you! Gracias! Merci!

No matter how you say it ... these pet parents are simply thrilled to have found their animal companions! PetLynx was pleased to have played a role in their recovery. 

Our lost cat has been FOUND! Thank you so much for your site. You are doing a wonderful job of reuniting lost pets with their owners.

   Irene L., Edmonton

I am letting you know that my cat Oscar came home a few weeks ago and is safe and sound. This is a fantastic service and thank you for having kept me posted with possible cats that were a match to my cat.  Keep up the great work.

   Sincerely, Maria

 

My cat showed up on Saturday night after being missing for 16 days. He was none the worse for wear but it took a few years off my life though! Thank Heavens he's  back ... and thank you for your help!

   Susan D.

I used PetLynx today to help reunite a stray dog I found with it's owner. Thank you for providing this service.

   Paul D.

Do you have a PetLynx HomeSafe story to share? Email us now!

Want to know about PetLynx? Click here!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Could YOU resist adopting Harvey?

This creative video may be promoting the power of television advertising ...

but at PetLynx Corporation we felt it does double-duty by promoting adoptions from animal shelters!

Too bad every 'Harvey' can't get this kind of promotion ...

so that all homeless companion animals could be HomeSafe!

Find out how you can help a homeless animal this year!

Check out Iams Homes4the Holidays.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

More Short & Sweet HomeSafe Stories

At PetLynx we love HomeSafe stories that tug at our heart strings or make us smile ... but we appreciate receiving 'Readers' Digest'-style condensed versions of your success stories, too! Here are some recent snippets from the E-files:

Our cat Bella came home after being lost for 48 hours. My daughter did some Internet research and discovered that it is better to look for a lost cat at night. Her persistence paid off! After going outside a few times and calling her name, Bella came running to her from a few houses down. We are so happy to have her home! Thanks for letting us post our precious Bella on the PetLynx site.

The McGinnis family

Dixie is HomeSafe in Regina

Dixie, a 13-year old Border Collie/Sheltie cross had a lot of people very worried when she slipped  out a gate and ran away. Perhaps she was disoriented considering that there was plenty of action at the home at the time. There were construction workers in the yard, the family was on vacation and a relative was caring for the dog!

A call to the Regina Humane Society directed the dog's caregiver to the PetLynx website and she says it was very helpful. Thankfully, the run-away was apprehended within the hour ... so this HomeSafe story has a very happy ending!

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

Cats Comfort Breast Cancer Patients

People and Pets HomeSafe

When the words "pink" and "cat" are used in the same sentence, it's usually referring to a kitten's nose. But this October, "thinking pink" and talking about cats takes on a whole new meaning, thanks to the folks at Purina Cat Chow!

Recognizing the remarkable bond between cats and breast cancer patients, this October, Purina Cat Chow is making a contribution to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for every specially-marked product sold. The target goal is $100,000. 

According to Susan Molenda, vice president of marketing for Nestle Purina PetCare, "The support and comfort cats provide during these difficult times reinforces the important role pets play in our lives and to society, and we are pleased to lend our support to this worthy cause."  

Concerned About Pet Overpopulation?

Consider "Fixing 'em while they're young"


At PetLynx Corporation we are committed to ensuring all pets have HomeSafe homes. That's why we want to share this importance resource addressing the topic of pediatric spaying and neutering of puppies and kittens. This could very well be a big part of the solution to North America's homeless pet overpopulation problem!


PetSmart Charities has an educational video that will help reduce homeless pet overpopulation by training veterinarians on how to perform spay/neuter surgeries on puppies and kittens as small as two pounds and as young as 6-8 weeks old.

The Dog is Fine ... But Beware of the Driver!

This dog is a dangerous distraction!

At PetLynx, our goal is to help get (and keep) pets HomeSafe ... and we were surprised to learn that a recent study revealed that 2/3 of dog owners admit to engaging in distracting activities with their dogs while driving!

Dogs are wonderful companions and can be fun to bring along for a car ride. However, this can mean added distractions for the driver. A recent survey conducted by the American Auto Association (AAA) asked dog owners how often they drive with their dog and about their habits behind the wheel.

The survey found that drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride.

Lama's Lost & Found Tale

Lama is a middle-aged Shih Tzu. Her family left for a holiday in Europe, having made arrangements for the dog to have a holiday of her own with friends. The designated dog-sitters, however, were away for the first couple of days, so Lama went to another friend's home for the August long weekend. As luck would have it, when Lama was put outside for a few minutes on Friday night she squeezed under the fence and disappeared!

Mass hysteria amongst all family friends ensued. We called the Burlington Humane Society and Animal Rescue and put up posters, registered on PetLynx and called the local veterinary clinics. It was a holiday weekend, so mostly we had to leave messages, no comfort in that! We waited....