FAQs & etiquette

Who can attend?

Participation in the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) is by invitation only. Delegates who are executive level thought leaders known for their contributions to Animal Control, Animal Welfare, Animal Wellness, and Community Collaboration are invited by the event’s selection committee. Prospective delegates are nominated to the selection committee by the Summit sponsors, hosts, and their associates across Canada. Generally, the nominees will be active or formerly active in a community’s Municipal Animal Services, Humane Societies, rescue agencies, emergency hospitals, or animal health suppliers. To nominate a thought leader, click here.

What is the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies [ISUAS]?

The ISUAS is a specialized conference of thought leaders who come together to consider strategies for increasing care in the community. Encouraging strategies that increase empathy for animals and provide greater understanding of the environments, welfare, wellness, and general care required for them, is undertaken within the context of community and the rights of citizens. These are some of the largest challenges faced by leaders within our modern urban municipalities. The SUAS brings together those who are leaders in their field and provides an environment that allows them to push forward with state-of-the-art ideas in these areas. The Summit awards, which are handed out at the conference, provide recognition for those who are at the peak of leadership in the areas of Animal Re-homing, Animal Sheltering, Animal Wellness, Community Collaboration, Community Education, and Service Providers across North America.

Why isn't the delegate package available without accommodation and meals?

Unfortunately, this is not an option. Because executive level thought leaders frequently have to manage their time very intensively and generally do not have the luxury of fellowship with other leaders from across North America, the Summit has specifically created an environment to facilitate such interactions during a 48-hour period of time. The connections and conversations that will be made possible by this environment is a crucial part of the experience and the intended success of the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.

Do I have permission to pass the personal information of delegates as presented in the ISUAS Executive Summary to other non-delegate colleagues who may benefit from these contacts?

The organizing committee of the Summit intends to foster a high level of trust between delegates and a non-commercial environment for this event by enforcing, where possible, a permission based etiquette for the transfer of personal information between delegates.  Clearly stated, this aspect of the Summit Etiquette means personal information (including that on the alumni-only pages of this web site) may not be distributed to non-alumni unless an alumnus has direct permission, either obtained during the Summit or obtained by direct communication between alumni during the period between Summits.

Are participating delegates provided with an opportunity to set-up an information booth or distribute information packages for their organization during the  Summit for Urban Animal Strategies?

The organizing committee of the ISUAS has specifically restricted the commercial and information distributing opportunities of the event so the Summit remains a thought leadership event for executives who focus their investment of time toward advancing the state-of-the-art in Urban Animal Strategies.   This aspect of Summit etiquette will continue to be clearly stated to those participating in the Summit.  The industry provides a number of trade shows across Canada where it would be appropriate to conduct information distributing activities or provide a display booth.  Delegates may wish to contact PIJAC Canada, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association to pursue opportunities in their areas.