**We are delighted to announce that Venise-en-Québec will be the first municipality in Canada to join the Amitoutous network with an Office of Toutourisme, becoming a partner of Toutourisme Québec. This initiative marks a significant step for our community by demonstrating our commitment to animal welfare and creating a more welcoming city for travelers with pets.**

**The announcement and unveiling will take place at the Animal Welfare Day event on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in Venise-en-Québec.**

**What is an Amitoutou City?**

**Amitoutou cities are those that integrate Toutourisme, a comprehensive approach aimed at raising awareness among pet owners about their responsibilities towards their companions. Toutourisme promotes exemplary hospitality, better coexistence between animals and citizens, improves civic and cleanliness services, and offers educational and environmental initiatives.**

**The Office of Toutourisme, which will open in Venise-en-Québec, will provide a series of innovative services:**

– **VIP welcome at the tourist kiosk for visitors with their pets**
– **Awareness of harmonious coexistence between pet owners, tourists, and residents**
– **Welcome pack including a Toutouristique guide and preventive information**
– **Creation of Toutouristique circuits throughout the city and region**
– **Directory of pet-friendly places: transportation, accommodations, activities, parks, terraces, restaurants, and more**
– **Toutoubar**

**The Office also commits to retaining visitors by promoting a caring, eco-responsible, and anti-abandonment concept. It will emphasize the importance of microchipping, animal sterilization, and responsible adoption. Additionally, Venise-en-Québec aligns with Toutourisme France, an international network with over 53 Toutourisme Offices.**

**Why Venise-en-Québec?**

**By becoming an Amitoutou city, Venise-en-Québec positions itself as a model for pet-friendly practices that will benefit the entire community. This project reflects our desire to give our four-legged friends the place they deserve as integral members of our society. Toutourisme Québec already has thousands of followers and ambassadors on Facebook, several associations including AHQ, FADOQ, FQCC, and more than 75 partners offering discounts for pet owners with the Amitoutou Club membership card.**

**The Venise-en-Québec tourist information office is the busiest in Montérégie, receiving over 20,000 visitors annually.**

**Many new features and improvements will be available in 2024 and 2025.**

**For more information, please visit the Toutourisme Québec website.**

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**Venise-en-Québec is proud to be at the forefront of Toutourisme and looks forward to this new era of harmonious coexistence between tourists with their dogs, local businesses, and residents.**

**Tourisme Venise-en-Québec Lac Champlain operates under the Société d’Initiative Touristique et Économique (S.I.T.E.) du lac Champlain. Discover all our attractions on our website, Facebook, and Instagram. We are here to better inform you and listen to your needs.**

**This project came to fruition thanks to the essential collaboration between the municipality, Madame Diane Angers, President of Toutourisme Québec, Anick St-Germain, Animal Health Technician and Expert Advisor, and Vincent Larivière, General Director of Tourism. Their dedication and cooperation have been crucial in realizing this innovative initiative.**

Here is the link to watch or rewatch the interview with Diane Angers, President of Toutourisme Québec, on Salut Bonjour, broadcasted on September 6, 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiKfC8du9QE