Every Ticket Helps Keep People and Pets Together: Peterborough Humane Society 50/50 Draw Takes Place Friday
/By Scott Arnold
The jackpot is climbing towards $100,000, with one lucky winner expected to take home more than to $50,000, but as the Peterborough Humane Society prepares for Friday’s final draw, the impact of every ticket reaches much further than the prize money.
Every ticket purchased in the Peterborough Humane Society’s 50/50 Lottery helps provide food, medical care and a safe place for animals like this cat. With the final draw taking place Friday, November 6th, at 1pm, there’s still time to make a difference and be in the running for a prize of your own. (photo by scott arnold)
There is a lot of excitement inside the Peterborough Humane Society right now.
With the Fall 2026 50/50 Lottery entering its final 24 hours, the jackpot continues to climb, and staff are watching the numbers closely as the final wave of ticket purchases comes in.
But for Kevin MacKenzie, Director of Fund Development at PHS, the excitement is about more than making a phone call to tell someone they have won.
“What they represent is support for the animals in our care here at PHS,” MacKenzie said. “I'm really excited. I'm going to be able to call somebody and tell them that they've won, you know, close to $50,000. Hopefully by the time this wraps up more than $50,000.”
There is another side to that growing jackpot.
“But the flip side of that is the $50,000 or half that we get here at PHS to put towards our programs, our services, and make sure that the people and pets in our community are supported.”
That is what makes this lottery so important to the organization and the animals and families who rely on it.
The Support Goes Beyond the Shelter
The Peterborough Humane Society cares for animals that come through its doors, but its work reaches well beyond the shelter itself.
One of the programs supported through community fundraising is its social services coordinator, a position that helps people facing difficult circumstances find ways to keep their pets rather than feeling surrendering them is their only option.
“We are one of four animal centres in Canada that has a social services coordinator on staff,” MacKenzie explained. “That means that we are trying to offer wraparound supports and talk to individuals that might be in crisis, thinking they have no choice but to surrender their pet.”
He says the team works with people to identify other supports that may be available, including helping with some of the immediate costs of caring for an animal.
“And at the same time, here, hey, by the way, here's two months of kibble to help float you.”
MacKenzie says that kind of support is an important part of what the lottery makes possible.
“What you're making possible through your support of the PHS 50/50 lottery is our investment in programs and services that go beyond basic animal care here in the centre.”
The organization also operates a mobile care clinic, which can travel to areas where veterinary services are needed most.
The unit is equipped to provide wellness services, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention and dental care. PHS is also working towards offering sick pet appointments in the future.
“For people that have the barrier of affordability of pet care, we're trying to address that as well and knock down that barrier,” MacKenzie said.
Kevin MacKenzie, Peterborough Humane Society’s Director of Fund Development, stands in front of the jackpot total as the Fall 2026 50/50 Lottery enters its final hours. Every ticket helps support animals in need and keeps people and pets together. (photo by scott arnold)
Every Animal Has Their Own Story
One of the best ways to understand where that money goes is to meet some of the animals receiving care at PHS.
During our visit, MacKenzie introduced PTBOCanada to Bertha, a 12-year-old cat who arrived at the shelter carrying more weight than was healthy for her.
Her care involves portion control and a special metabolic diet to help her reach a healthier weight and avoid potential health concerns.
“Your funds in supporting the PHS 50/50 lottery are helping us manage individual cases,” MacKenzie said. “So every pet that's in our care here has an individual care plan that is specific to the needs of that animal.”
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to caring for animals, and Bertha is a good example of that.
MacKenzie explained that she is already available for adoption, but finding the right home means finding someone willing to continue her dietary plan and help her maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Our front desk staff are incredible. Our entire animal care team are the best and they will work with the potential adopters to make sure that they're aware of the needs of that animal,” he said. “Again, to work to set up that pet for success and landing in the forever home.”
Bertha's special food and the time her care requires are just some of the many expenses involved in looking after animals at the shelter.
As MacKenzie pointed out, it takes much more than food to keep the building running.
“There's laundry, washing machines that are running non-stop and dryers. Well, we need soap. We need, you know, all of the resources that make this building go.”
That includes medication, cleaning supplies and even specialized feeding supplies for young animals whose mothers are unable to produce milk.
“When we have preemies that are born and maybe their mother is not producing milk, our staff, our team needs to jump on board and help with bottle feeding those pets. So that's a supply. That's something we need to acquire.”
Every animal has different needs, and PHS works to make sure each one has the best possible chance of finding a forever home.
“There is no cookie cutter approach with these pets that are in our care and every one of them is an individual and has their own needs and we try to make sure we customize that plan to set them up for success,” MacKenzie said.
Bertha is a 12-year-old cat receiving an individual care plan at the Peterborough Humane Society, including a special diet to support her health. Lottery proceeds help provide the food, medical attention and everyday care animals need while they wait to find their forever homes.
