A Ticket Could Help Give an Animal a Second Chance: Peterborough Humane Society 50/50 Is Back

By Scott Arnold

The jackpot is exciting, but every ticket purchased is also helping provide food, medicine, care and a second chance to animals who need the Peterborough Humane Society most.

The Peterborough Humane Society cares for about 130 animals at any given time, each with their own story and needs. (photo by Scott arnold)

The Peterborough Humane Society’s 50/50 Lottery is back, and after the community helped push the jackpot to a record $137,510 last spring, there’s plenty of reason to get excited about this fall’s draw.

But while one lucky person could walk away with a life-changing amount of money, there’s another side of the lottery that matters just as much.

Every ticket helps the Peterborough Humane Society continue caring for animals in need and supporting pets and people throughout the community.

The sixth PHS 50/50 Lottery officially launched Thursday, October 1st and runs until Friday, November 6th.

From shelter and medical care to finding forever homes, there are plenty of costs that come with giving animals a second chance. (photo by scott arnold)

A Big Jackpot Could Be Coming

Of course, there is still the fun part.

Last spring's PHS 50/50 grew to a record $137,510, with the lucky winner taking home $68,755.

“It’s a fun phone call to call someone and tell them they’ve won almost $69,000,” said Kevin MacKenzie, Director of Fund Development at PHS.

That record has now set the bar for the fall lottery.

And there are multiple chances to win along the way.

Miskin Law is back as the sponsor of the two Early Bird Draws, with $1,500 up for grabs on Friday, October 9th and $2,000 up for grabs on Friday, October 23rd.

Every ticket purchased before an Early Bird deadline is also entered into the main 50/50 draw.

The lottery also includes the return of the Marlin Travel & Transat Ruffle, giving one lucky winner a $5,000 travel voucher. Tickets for the Ruffle start at $10.

The grand prize and Marlin Travel & Transat Ruffle draws will take place Friday, November 6th after 1pm.

The community’s support helps make sure animals at the Peterborough Humane Society continue to receive the care they deserve. (photo by scott arnold)

There's Also a New Way to Never Miss a Draw

Since the PHS 50/50 happens multiple times a year, the Humane Society has introduced a new membership option this fall.

When purchasing tickets, supporters can choose to become a Member and have the same ticket package automatically purchased for future PHS 50/50 Lotteries.

Members will receive a reminder before each new lottery begins and can cancel at any time.

It’s designed to make supporting the Humane Society a little easier for people who don't want to realize after the fact that they've forgotten to buy their tickets.

Every animal at the Peterborough Humane Society deserves the chance to find a loving forever home, with community support helping make that possible. (photo by scott arnold)

The Community Is What Keeps PHS Going

Perhaps the most important thing to understand about the lottery is where that money comes from and why it matters.

The Peterborough Humane Society does not receive government funding to keep its doors open.

“The community is why we are here,” MacKenzie said. “There is no government funding involved with keeping the lights on here at PHS. So we are only here because of the generosity of the community.”

That generosity helps support the animals currently in the Humane Society's care, but it also allows PHS to provide programs and services throughout Peterborough and area.

“At any given point about 130 animals that are here being loved, nurtured, cared for, food, medicine,” MacKenzie said.

Those animals need food, medicine, shelter and plenty of love and care while the staff work to get them ready for their forever homes.

And the work of the Humane Society extends far beyond the animals living inside its facility.

Programs like the PHS Pet Pantry provide food and pet supplies to people in the community who may need some extra help caring for their animals.

“A few times a year we set up around town and we give out food and pet accessories to people that might need a little extra help at that time,” MacKenzie said.

That means buying a 50/50 ticket isn't simply a chance to win. It's one of the ways people can help make sure the Humane Society can continue doing all of that work.

“There’s a number of different ways that you are supporting PHS and supporting the community by getting your PHS lottery tickets,” MacKenzie said.

So yes, there is a jackpot.

There are Early Bird prizes.

There is a $5,000 travel prize.

But underneath all of that is something much bigger: a community coming together to help animals who have nowhere else to turn.

And if you happen to win big along the way, that's pretty great too.

The Fall 2026 PHS 50/50 Lottery is open to players across Ontario, with tickets available online at PHS5050.ca or with cash in person at the Peterborough Humane Society or Miskin Law.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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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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50/50 Cash Raffle to Support Four Peterborough-area Community Groups

Profits from the Lakefield & District Lions Club’s “Collaboration 50/50 Cash Raffle” will be divided evenly between Kawartha Food Share, PRHC Foundation, Community Care Peterborough and the Lions Club.

LAKEFIELD & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB "COLLABORATION 50/50 CASH RAFFLE” POSTER

“Fundraising is always challenging, but the people of Peterborough have been very generous in helping us provide our services throughout the region,” Kawartha Food Share General Manager Ashlee Aitken said.

Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation extended gratitude to the Lakefield & District Lions Club for organizing the fundraiser.

“Yours is a powerful example of how we all can make a real difference, close to home,” she said. “Community-led fundraisers are essential to local charities.”

Heighway states the funds will empower world-class care at PRHC by fueling innovation and bringing new services to the region.

“They’ll also support solutions to critical hospital challenges, including helping PRHC attract the best and brightest healthcare experts,” she added.

“Our mission is to support the health and wellbeing of individuals, caregivers and communities,” Danielle Belair, CEO of Community Care Peterborough said. “Our programs and services allow people across the City and County of Peterborough to maintain their independence and dignity.”

Belair goes onto say Community Care Peterborough’s programs impacted more than 6,000 seniors and adults with disabilities in 2023.

“The Lakefield & District Lions Club has been around since 1946 and we are giving back to our community through the generosity of supporters,” added club president Don Parsons.

The winning ticket will be selected on Nov. 15.

Tickets are on sale at lakefieldlions5050.ca.

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