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 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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Havelock Metal Co Announces In-Kind Support For New Animal Care Centre In Peterborough

Havelock Metal Co has announced its generous commitment to supplying and installing the metal roof at the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre. Our Pet Project, PHS’s campaign to build this one-of-a-kind facility, is well underway and community partners such as Havelock Metal Co getting involved moves the vision even closer to reality.

Todd Lawson, President of Havelock Metal and his partner (in work and life) Jennie Lawson are big animal lovers and for them, the choice to support Our Pet Project was an easy one. “We are always on the lookout for opportunities where we can help building projects taking place within our community,” says Todd. “Being able to combine our love of animals with our ability to provide a safe, durable roof on a facility that will be integral to animal wellness in our community was a no-brainer!”

The Lawson children with their family dog Echo

Havelock Metal Co was founded in 1993 in Havelock and relocated to Peterborough in 2018 to better serve their customers. By providing a metal roof to Peterborough Humane Society, Havelock Metal Co is ensuring a durable, long lasting roof is in place to keep local animals in need safe and dry while under their care.

The Lawson family is particularly excited about the purpose-built dog kennels. In the new Centre, dog kennels will be arranged in pods of four to aid in noise and stress reduction. These kennels will be significantly larger than the Humane Society’s current kennels and will be interlinked with sliding guillotine doors to allow for kennels to double in size, should the need arise (e.g. bonded dogs that need to stay together). Each glass-fronted kennel will also have its own outside run, allowing dogs continuous access to fresh air and the ability to enjoy both outdoor and indoor spaces.

Rendering of what the new Animal Care Centre's kennels will look like.

In recognition of their generous support, a Dog Adoption Kennel at the new Centre will bear the company’s name. These new dog kennels will be indoor/outdoor, providing the dogs with more space and will be grouped in pods to reduce noise and stress.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Todd, Jenn and the team at Havelock Metal to supply the roof for our new Centre,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society. “This is another example of the amazing support that our community is showing us as we work to build our new home.”

To learn more about Our Pet Project, click here.

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Peterborough Humane Society Announces New Partnership With Halifax Humane Society

Peterborough Humane Society (PHS), in continuing with a commitment made to give each and every animal that comes into their care the best possible future, has established a new partnership with the Halifax Humane Society in Nova Scotia to find new homes for two pit bulls that have recently come into their care.

Pit bulls are a breed of dog that are banned in Ontario, and both of the dogs that have been transported fell under the Bill 132 of the Dog Owners Liability Act.
 
This transport with their new East Coast partner was made possible by the efforts of Officer Darryl Porter—a member of the PHS animal control team—as well as a PHS valued volunteer who travelled to Nova Scotia to deliver the dogs. 

Darryl Porter from PHS (at right) with woman from Halifax SPCA (photo courtesy PHS)

On the return journey, the transport picked up three new dogs that were part of the most recent rescue from the Korean Meat Market through Humane Society International (HSI). 

"By facilitating transport of these animals, it gives them the opportunity to live without restriction of breed, and enjoy life with new loving and caring homes," says Officer Porter. "I am proud to be a part of transport, and glad to see these beautiful dogs enjoy their new start.”

Jindo dogs photo courtesy PHS

“I am excited to see this great new partnership with Halifax Humane Society come to light, as it continues our focus of collaboration with our animal welfare affiliates from coast to coast," says PHS Executive Director Shawn Morey.

"We are very happy to have so many great partnerships established, and continue to develop opportunities to further expand our affiliations, both locally and abroad. Our mission is to provide care and compassion to every animal that requires our services," adds Morey.

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