Peterborough Humane Society Partner With Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward For The Big Apple Pet Festival

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward (HSHPE) are hosting a free community day, The Big Apple Pet Festival, on July 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Big Apple in Colborne.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society

Funds raised throughout the day will support both organizations.

The Can-Pet Mobile Care Unit will be on site, hosting a mobile clinic and offering rabies vaccinations and microchipping for a pay-what-you-can donation. There will also be free nail clipping available from Tail Trackers.

Guests can browse the Can-Pet Pet Market, let their dogs stretch their legs in The Big Apple's dog park, watch a lure course and agility demonstration and visit The Kibble Project booth to learn how the organization supports shelters and rescues across Ontario. Kibble Project founders Gladys Orozco and Elvis Stojko will both be in attendance. Stojko is a three-time world figure skating champion and Olympic silver medallist. He will also have his race car on site for visitors to see and meet him in person.

Festival guests can also enjoy the on-site bakery and pie factory, restaurant, gift shop, cider brewery, mini golf and petting zoo. A portion of wine and pie sales at The Big Apple support PHS and HSHPE that day.

“We are so thrilled to be hosting an event like this at The Big Apple. There's nothing better than seeing the whole community come together for a great cause; it's exactly why we love doing this work,” said Nick Nicoloff, Can-Pet vice president. “Every dollar raised on a day like this helps animals waiting for their second chance, in our community and beyond.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Invites Public to Celebrate Animals With Pet Fest 2026 This Saturday

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is inviting the community to celebrate animals at Pet Fest 2026 this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The free event features a Meow Market with local makers and shops, plus free ice cream and live music throughout. Restaurants such as Hanoi House, The Vine, or Till Death BBQ & Catering are selling food at the celebration.

Activities such as a scavenger hunt and a stuffed-animal checkup station will be available for children. Author Judi Barr will also be on site for storytime, sharing her book The Tale of Eileen The Timid Housecat, a heartwarming story inspired by a real adopted cat.

The Peterborough Humane Society is also unveiling its new Memorial Garden & Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.

This year features the first-ever Pet Fashion Show at 1 p.m. and hosted by MC Tiffany Arcari. There are three categories: Sun's Out Paws Out, Twinning is Winning, and Off the Leash. Each category has just eight spots available and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Registration is required and spots are limited. Participants can sign up at peterboroughhumanesociety.ca.

“Pet Fest is one of our favourite days of the year because it is really just about bringing people together," said Shawn Morey, PHS CEO. "We are so grateful to this community for everything they do for the animals in our care, and Pet Fest is our way of saying thank you. This year we have so much to share, from our first-ever Pet Fashion Show to the unveiling of our Memorial Garden & Park, and we cannot wait to celebrate it all with the community.”

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Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Announces New Executive Director in Strategic Leadership Expansion

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) has appointed Glenn M. Cunnington as its new Executive Director, effective June 15, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

Since 2009, Dr. Sue Carstairs has concurrently held the positions of Executive Director and Medical Director. According to a press release, to support continued organizational growth, the OTCC Board of Directors has included a role split in its succession plan, allowing each position to become more specialized and thereby increasing the organization’s scope and impact.

Carstairs remains in a co-leadership position as Medical Director. Dr. Kristen Janke, a long-standing veterinarian with the organization, will gradually assume the full Medical Director role, with Dr. Carstairs remaining involved but at a slower pace.

“Glenn brings with him all the qualities that OTCC needs to continue moving forward,” said Carstairs. “He is an expert in Ontario’s turtles, having been on the Committee On The Status of Species at Risk in Ontario for five years.”

Dr. Cunnington holds a Ph.D. focused on Road Ecology from Carleton University, an M.Sc. in Watershed Ecosystems and a B.Sc. in Conservation Biology from Trent University, as well as a diploma from Fleming College in Fish & Wildlife. He is a published author in road ecology and brings deep experience in stakeholder engagement, grant writing and financial stewardship.

“It is a tremendous honour to join the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre as its next Executive Director,” said Cunnington. “I want to thank Dr. Sue Carstairs for her extraordinary leadership over the past sixteen years. I am stepping into a healthy, growing organization with a remarkable culture, world-class clinical care, and an ambitious path towards 2030 already in motion.”

Core operations—including healing injured turtles, incubating eggs, and releasing healthy turtles and hatchlings back into the wild— continue uninterrupted during this transition.

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Peterborough Humane Society 50/50 Lottery Returns to Support Local Animals in Need

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has announced the 5th iteration of the PHS 50/50 Lottery, returning from April 9 to May 15.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Last fall, the PHS 50/50 Lottery achieved a new high as the pot reached $57,575, with Allyson Allin of Lakefield taking home the $28,787.50 grand prize.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery also features the Marlin Travel & Collette Ruffle, offering a $5,000 gift certificate for use at Marlin Travel Peterborough toward any Collette travel package. Last fall, it was won by Michael Walker of Highlands East.

The lottery will now feature two Early Bird Draws. On April 17, the Miskin Law Early Bird Draw #1 will be for $1,500, and on May 1 the Miskin Law Early Bird Draw #2 will be for $2,000!

“We love holding the PHS 50/50 Lottery as an exciting campaign the entire community gets behind,” said Shawn Morey, Chief Executive Officer at PHS. “As the cost of animal care continues to rise, the Lottery raises important funding to help both pets and people in our community. We are grateful for the support and excited to launch it once again.”

Running from April 9 to May 15, the PHS 50/50 Lottery raises funds to support animals in need at Peterborough Humane Society. Tickets may be purchased online, or cash purchases can be made in person at Peterborough Humane Society or Miskin Law. The 50/50 grand prize and Marlin Travel & Collette Ruffle draws take place Friday, May 15 at 1:05 pm.

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Splish, Riverview Park & Zoo's North American River Otter Passes Away at 19 Years Old

Splish, a North American river otter from Riverview Park and Zoo has passed away at 19 years of age, announced on Friday morning.

The life expectancy of a North American river otter is typically around 12 years in the wild and about 20 years in captivity.  Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Splish passed away from natural, age-related causes. An autopsy showed the cause of death to be heart-related. 

He arrived at the Riverview Park and Zoo in 2007 and spent many years interacting with visitors and staff.

The otter was known for his curious and energetic nature. Visitors watched him swim, engage in enrichment activities, and participate in daily feedings. 

Splish shared the habitat with two other North American river otters, Meadow and Violet, who remain on exhibit at the zoo. 

North American river otters are known for their intelligence, agility, and playful behaviour, often spending much of their time swimming and exploring their surroundings.

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Sulawesi Forest Turtle Hatches at Riverview Park and Zoo

A critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle has successfully hatched at the Riverview Park and Zoo.

photo courtesy of the riverview park and zoo.

The zoo welcomed the hatchling, named Indy, on Feb. 9. Indy is the fifth Sulawesi forest turtle to hatch at the zoo, marking another important milestone in its ongoing conservation breeding efforts for this critically endangered freshwater species.

“The hatchling is currently under observation by our animal care team,” said Matt Dixon, Operational Support Manager of Animal Care at the Riverview Park and Zoo. “This is another exciting and meaningful step forward for this critically endangered species. Each successful hatch strengthens the population and builds valuable knowledge that supports conservation efforts. The zoo continues to be the only zoo in Canada working with this species and is one of only a few zoos globally to successfully reproduce it.”

Native to Indonesia, the Sulawesi forest turtle is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and are considered among the rarest freshwater turtles in the world. The species faces significant threats from habitat loss, as well as unsustainable collection for food and the illegal wildlife trade.

In 2014 two hatchlings named Blinky and Skippy were among the first Sulawesi forest turtles successfully hatched in Canada.

In 2017, Riverview Park and Zoo received the Colonel G. C. Dailley Conservation Award from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums. The national award recognizes excellence in species propagation and conservation achievement.

The zoo continues to collaborate with accredited zoological partners to support the long-term sustainability of the species through coordinated breeding programs and conservation initiatives that contribute to global wildlife preservation efforts.

For more information or to support Riverview Park and Zoo, visit the website.

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The Peterborough Humane Society Marked World Spay Day with 36 Free Surgeries

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) completed 36 spay and neuter surgeries on cats and dogs for World Spay Day on Tuesday, provided at no cost to community members who had been identified through the organization's social services programming.

photo courtesy of the peterborough humane society.

Spay and neuter is the most effective way to reduce pet overpopulation. These surgeries help prevent unwanted litters, support rescue and animal welfare partners and reduce the number of animals entering shelters or living without homes.

By connecting families identified through this social services programming directly to free surgical care, PHS is addressing the issue at its source.

Since opening in 2023, the Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic has performed over 13,000 surgeries, cementing its role as a critical community resource for affordable and accessible veterinary care in the Peterborough region.

photo courtesy of the peterborough humane society.

"World Spay Day gives us a chance to highlight just how real and widespread the need for affordable spay and neuter services is, both here in our community and around the world," says Shawn Morey, CEO of the Peterborough Humane Society. "We are truly thrilled to be able to offer these services to families in Peterborough, and days like yesterday remind us why this work matters so much. Every surgery we perform is a step toward a healthier, more sustainable future for animals and the people who love them."

To learn more or to book an appointment, visit the website.

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Lansdowne Place Gets Prehistoric Takeover With Dinosaur Exhibits Throughout March

Prehistoric giants are returning to Lansdowne Place as dinosaur exhibits are taking over the mall from Feb. 28 through March 29.

A Blue raptor makes a sneak peek appearance beside Guest Services at Lansdowne Place Mall. Photo courtesy of Canada’s Dinosaur Park.

In a partnership with Canada’s Dinosaur Park, visitors can explore a dinosaur experience in an all-ages event.

Guests can discover dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus rex, raptors and more. Blue raptors are already set up throughout the mall as a sneak peek.

Tickets are $10 per person, with free admission for children under three.

All ticket proceeds support the continued operation of Canada’s Dino Park and Reptile Sanctuary.

The operating hours for the exhibits are as follows:

• Monday–Friday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

During March Break (Mar. 16 to 20), the exhibit is open during the mall’s regular operating hours.

The entrance to the exhibit will be located inside the mall beside Guest Services.

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Fleming College Launches Ontario’s First Immersive Veterinary Technician Program

Fleming College is expanding its School of Health and Community Services with the launch of a unique, accelerated Veterinary Technician (VT) program in partnership with the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS), driven by a province-wide shortage of veterinary professionals.

file photo.

The new program is the first in Ontario to provide students with on-site clinical learning starting in their first week of study, made possible through a strategic partnership with PHS. The accelerated format enables students to complete four consecutive semesters and enter the workforce much sooner than traditional delivery models.

Students begin training at PHS immediately and will use Fleming’s advanced simulation technologies to hone essential skills and refine techniques before administering care to live animals. This applied learning approach is furthered by a 150-hour placement in an animal care environment, allowing students to broaden their professional experience and master skills in real-world settings.

“Our new Veterinary Technician program reflects Fleming’s strategic commitments to providing innovative, career-ready education, addressing critical labour market needs, and enhancing student-centred learning through strong partnerships like the Peterborough Humane Society,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Interim President. “We’re excited about the opportunity to provide students with an exceptional learning experience in the state-of-the-art veterinary clinic and animal shelter from day one. Combined with our leading-edge simulation technologies and industry placements, our graduates will emerge as highly skilled veterinary technicians that employers are actively seeking.”

Instruction is led by Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Registered Veterinary Technicians, who bring current industry expertise and mentorship into the learning environment. Their lessons equip students with the fundamental knowledge required to excel across a variety of sectors, including private clinics, emergency hospitals, zoos, research laboratories and shelters.

Applications are now open for the Fleming’s first Veterinary Technician cohort beginning in September 2026. Prospective students are encouraged to apply before the equal consideration deadline on Feb. 1. Applications received after this date will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

For more information about the program or to apply, visit the Fleming College website.

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Peterborough Humane Society Celebrates 85 Year Anniversary

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) celebrated their 85th anniversary milestone with an open house event Saturday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Founded in 1941, the Peterborough Humane Society has spent more than eight decades serving animals and the people who care about them. Approximately 1,500 animals come through the doors of PHS each year to receive veterinary care, vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neuter services prior to adoption.

@ptbo_canada Happy 85th birthday, @Peterborough Humane Society! 🐶🐈‍⬛🥳 #ptbocanada ♬ Summerdays - Truenoys

“This milestone belongs to the entire community,” says Shawn Morey, CEO of the Peterborough Humane Society. “For 85 years, animal lovers across Peterborough and the Kawarthas have supported PHS and its mission in many ways. Caring for both ends of the leash means supporting animals and the people who love them.”

All photos by Felicia Massey.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

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