Riverview Park and Zoo Operating Under Summer Hours

The Riverview Park and Zoo’s summer hours are in effect, running from 8:30 a.m. to dusk daily.

IN CAPTIVITY, RIVER OTTERS HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ABOUT 25 YEARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF Riverview Park and Zoo.

Sunday Summer Concerts have returned to the zoo’s Gazebo. This free bi-weekly event features local musicians and groups performing every other Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

The City encourages visitors to bring a lawn chair and a shade umbrella to enjoy these concerts in an outdoor setting, weather permitting.  

The next concert, scheduled for June 8, features Fyd-L-Styx, showcasing traditional Scottish and Irish folk songs and fiddle music.  

The miniature train ride is now in operation. The train operates daily during the summer, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. The cost is $2 per person, with children two years old or under riding for free.  

Cleanup from the late-March ice storm is still underway in some areas of the Zoo. Visitors are asked to follow all posted signage and remain out of barricaded areas. 

The following areas are open to visitors:  

• Playground area and 80-foot super slide 

• Zoo area and animal exhibits 

• Guest Services and the Gift Shop is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Monday and Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday   

• River Otter feeding takes place daily at 1:30 p.m. 

• The Zoo office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday 

• Splash pad, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Park areas, including the disc golf course 

• Lower-level picnic area and picnic shelters. Use of shelters must be reserved by permit two weeks in advance 

The River Path Walking Trail remains closed at this time.

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Peterborough Humane Society's Spring 50/50 Lottery Raises All-Time High Number

The Peterborough Humane Society’s (PHS) Spring 2025 PHS 50/50 Lottery has reached a new all-time high of $50,245, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

This third edition saw the first time the 50/50 draw break the $50,000 milestone.

Buckhorn’s Suzanne Cunningham was the grand prize winner of $25,122.50.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery also had the Marlin Travel & Collette ‘Ruff’le, for a $5,000 gift certificate, for use at Marlin Travel Peterborough on any Collette travel package. Peterborough’s Debra Amos won this year and says she has not had a vacation in over 10 years. She also adopted her two cats, Melvin and Jane, from PHS. 

The Lottery ran from April 7 to May 14 with proceeds towards PHS for animals in need.

“Once again Peterborough and the entire region have shown us just how important animal wellness is to them,” said Shawn Morey, PHS CEO. “We are so grateful to everyone who bought tickets, the small businesses that promoted the lottery, and to the community who helped spread the word. Everyone had a hand in making this a great success.”

Plans are already underway for the fourth iteration.   

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James Stevenson Park Becomes Site For 40th Pet Valu Walk For Dog Guides Fundraiser

Canines and humans will march at the 40th Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides fundraiser, which will be held at James Stevensen Park on May 25 at 1 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

As one of 200 community walks across Canada, proceeds go towards Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. This year’s Walk is five km and aims to raise $1.6 million for more dog guides.

“When Dog Guides hosted its first fundraising walk forty years ago, it was a small community affair that supported our Canine Vision Program, the only program we offered at the time,” said Bev Crandall, Dog Guides CEO. “Dog Guides has grown significantly over the past four decades. Today there are more than 800 working dog guides across seven different programs, providing life-changing assistance to their handlers in every province.”

According to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, each dog guide costs approximately $35,000 to breed, raise, train, and place.

Registration for the event can be found online.

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Riverview Park and Zoo Remains Closed Due to Weather Damage

The Riverview Park and Zoo remains closed to the public due to damage caused by the weekend ice storm and prolonged power outages.

IN CAPTIVITY, RIVER OTTERS HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ABOUT 25 YEARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF Riverview Park and Zoo.

Its exhibits, parking lot, playground, disc golf area, and park spaces remain closed until further notice. However, the animals and staff are unharmed from the significant weather event.

“We are very happy to report that all our animals and staff are well and there were no injuries due to the storm,” said Cathy Mitchell, zoo manager and curator. “We have approximately 150 animals under our care, we continue to be proud of the Animal Care and Parks teams who, without interruption, continue to provide top-class care to the animals who live here.”

The weekend’s ice storm damaged several trees, with hanging limbs and downed power lines. The closure will remain in effect as staff work to make necessary repairs and ensure the area is safe.

“The tree damage and damage to property, is worse than we saw during the 2022 Derecho storm,” explained Mitchell. “However, I am very proud of our Riverview Park and Zoo team and grateful for the support of the City of Peterborough, Water Distribution team, for being here to help us tackle the mammoth task of clearing the site of fallen trees and hanging tree limbs.   

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Riverview Park & Zoo Otter Has Leg Amputated After Sustaining Severe Injury

Unfortunate news for Meadow the Otter at Riverview Park & Zoo and she had to have her leg amputated due to sustaining a leg injury after an altercation.

Photo courtesy of the Riverview Park & zoo.

Meadow suffered a severe leg injury after having an incident with other otters according to the Zoo. After medical consultation with vets and an orthopedic surgeon, Meadow had her leg amputated as a result of her injuries.

“Although this is an unfortunate situation, there is always a risk when introducing animals together, even when every precaution was taken by the Animal Care team,” said Cathy Mitchell, Riverview manager and curator.

Mitchell states that Meadow has been healing and recovering very well while showing resilience. The animal health team has cleared her to be back on exhibit and have outdoor access.

Meadow was moved on March 11th into her exhibit with ample outdoor space in the west outdoor primate exhibit. She was welcomed into the Zoo at the end of last year to join a group of three other mate otters.

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Peterborough Humane Society Launches Animal Wellness Services

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is offering basic animal wellness services at the Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of PHS.

The service is to help increase accessibility for veterinary care for Peterborough according Shawn Morey, PHS CEO.

“Over 90 per cent of individuals surrendering their pets to Peterborough Humane Society cite the main reason as being due to the financial impact of veterinary care, and costs associated with caring for a pet,” he said. “The introduction of basic wellness services at PHS supports one of the main organizational focuses of enhancing and providing access to affordable care for the community.

PHS hosted its first Wellness Clinic on Friday. Services offered include but are not limited to: wellness exams, deworming, flea/tick prevention, microchipping and several vaccination offerings. 

“We are just getting started,” explained Morey. “Our goal is to keep people and pets together, and the introduction of wellness services from our clinic will play a vital role in helping achieve that goal.”

Animal wellness clinics will happen weekly as PHS plans to expand to additional wellness clinic days as soon as this Spring.

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Hometown PTBO: Jordan Leal Going FromCo-Owning The House of Scales to The Hub Sauce Co.

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with former House Of Scales owner and The Hub Sauce Co. founder Jordan Leal about his decision to leave the former to focus on the latter which launched last year.

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New Animal Showcased at Riverview Park and Zoo's 'Wild Winter' This Saturday

The Riverview Park and Zoo is celebrating the holiday season with its ‘Wild Winter' event which starts at 11 a.m. this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the Riverview Park & Zoo

Meet the Keeper sessions will be held throughout the day to introduce a new animal into the zoo. They also plan to make an announcement at the otter exhibit.

Riverview is accepting donations of children’s toys for the Children’s Foundation and non-perishable food items for Kawartha Food Share.

The gift shop will offer hot chocolate (by donation). It also offers holiday shopping and animal adoptions.

The schedule is as follows:

• 11 a.m. – Meet the Keeper – Caribou

• 1:30 p.m. – Otter Enrichment & Announcement

• 2:30 p.m. – Alpaca walk

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Peterborough Humane Society Recieves $100,000 Grant to Improve Accessibility Vet Care From PetSmart Charities

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a grant of $100,000 from PetSmart Charities to help support the expansion of basic animal wellness services offered by the Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“This grant from PetSmart Charities will enable Peterborough Humane Society to begin providing even more support to people and pets in Peterborough and the entire Kawartha Region,” says PHS Executive Director Shawn Morey. “As an important part of our 3-year Strategic Plan, helping improve access to care is a real priority and focus for us. This is an important next step in that strategy.”

This is part of a $100 million commitment from PetSmart Charities over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. These grants support the expansion of low-cost veterinary care by funding growth and operations for up to four years for nonprofit clinics looking to expand their services, serve their communities better and inspire other veterinary providers by sharing their experiences according to PHS.

“Our veterinary system is in crisis,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities.  “Rising costs are putting standard veterinary care out of reach for as much as 50% of pet-owning families. We need innovative solutions that make veterinary care affordable for the families in every community who want the best for their four-legged companions but struggle to meet the cost of vet care. We’re inspired by the incredible work Peterborough Humane Society is doing to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community.”

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Get Your Dogs Clean With 'Pug Wash' Fundraiser to Support Peterborough Veterinary Outreach On Nov. 10

Get your dogs cleaner and support the Peterborough Veterinary Outreach (PVO) as Pet Styling by Becki is hosting a ‘Pug Wash’ fundraising event at 655 Parkhill Rd. W. (behind the plaza) this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Pet Styling By Becki.

Proceeds go to PVO, which services Peterborough, who may experience barriers that prevent them from accessing veterinary care. 

The cost is $25 (cash only) for each dog which includes de-shedding, a bath, ear cleaning, blow-drying, brushing, nail trimming and lots of ‘pug hugs.’

Photo courtesy of Pet Styling By Becki.

All small-breed dogs are welcome including short-hair pugs such as Frenchies, Bostons, Jack Russells, Dachshunds, and more. 

“The Pug Wash is our favourite event and the Peterborough Veterinary Outreach program is a perfect non profit organization to support local pets,” said Becki.

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