Riverview Park And Zoo To Temporarily Close Monday In Response To COVID-19
/Riverview Park And Zoo will close on Monday, they announced after the Ontario Government released new COVID-19 restrictions.
Photo courtesy of Riverview Park and Zoo.
Peterborough Blogs
Two New Dogs Join the Peterborough Police Service's K9 Unit
/The Peterborough Police Service’s team just got furrier and cuter with two new dogs joining the K9 unit announced Friday.
Gryphon. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.
Police Service Dog (PSD) Gryphon is an 18-month-old Dutch Shepherd. He just completed his 15-week training course with handler PC Wentworth run by the Niagara Regional Police Service. Gryphon is now certified for general-purpose patrol.
K9 Gryphon is trained in human scent detection and location, suspect apprehension, article detection, handler protection, and narcotics detection.
Mag. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.
Police Service Dog (PSD) Mag is a Belgian Malinois turning two in February. She is trained in firearms and ammunition detection.
After completing her basic training on Oct. 6, she has been operational in the City of Peterborough alongside PSD Isaac and her handler PC Cowie. She was generously donated to the Peterborough Police Service by Grassroots Kennels.
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Local Photographer Releases Kawartha Lakes Wildlife Calendar
/Local photographer Dave Ellis is putting his work on display by selling 2022 calendars of his wildlife photos.
Dave Ellis (pictured) has been doing photography for five years since his retirement. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis.
Two different calendars are available for purchase from Ellis. This is his third year creating and selling them.
The calendars contain wildlife found in the Kawartha Lakes area contains shots of animals such as bald eagles, snowy owls and more.
”A lot of people have no idea that these things are here. A lot of people don't even know that we have bald eagles,” said Ellis. “These were shot probably no more than five kilometres from right here (in Peterborough).”
The calendars were created in late October with roughly 200 printed up. People from all over the world have purchased Ellis’s calendars such as United States and Europe.
Ellis has had his photos showcased in local media for roughly three years.
Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis.
Calendars are available by emailing wildlife@eastlink.ca. They are available for pickup or by delivery.
"We've always been canoeing, fishing and that kind of thing, being out in nature,” reflected Ellis.” We had time once we retired to appreciate the outdoors more."
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Operation Catnip Peterborough is on a Mission to Spay and Neuter All Feral Cats in the City
/Operation Catnip Peterborough is looking for a warm space to house feral cats post-operation this winter.
Photo courtesy of Operation Catnip Peterborough.
Operation Catnip Peterborough is a non-profit organization working to reduce suffering of and to control the population of feral cats in the community.
Since the organization began in 2013 they have spayed/neutered over 1450 cats through their Trap, Neuter, Return program (TNR).
With the TNR program, Operation Catnip responds to calls around the community regarding feral cats. They set live traps, bring cats to the vet to get fixed then return the cats to the wild.
“If they’re truly feral, really wild, we return them to their colonies - with someone providing them food and monitoring them,” said Kristen Mommertz, a volunteer with Operation Catnip. “If they’re friendly we work with rescue partners to try to find homes for them.”
According to Mommertz, Peterborough has a lot of colonies of feral cats.
“We’ve noticed recently a huge increase of developing cat colonies in rural areas,” she said. “The biggest one we service has just passed it’s 100th cat. They can get out of hand really quickly. Cats can get pregnant three or four times a year and have a litter of four to six kittens and as soon as those kittens are four or five months old they can start getting pregnant.”
The Operation Catnip Logo was created by volunteer and Graphic Designer Kim Russell.
Operation Catnip works in partnership with veterinarians to lessen the costs associate with spaying/neutering a cat and pays for surgeries through fundraising and a grant from the City of Peterborough.
“In a perfect world we wouldn’t need to exist. If everyone got their cats spayed and neutered, if people cared more for animals, we wouldn’t need to be here.”
Mommertz notes that cost is a large barrier for some when considering getting their cats spayed or neutered. A new low-cost spay and neuter clinic is set to open in Peterborough in the next five years, Mommertz hopes that that will encourage more people to get their animals spayed and neutered.
As winter weather approaches Operation Catnip Peterborough is looking for a place to house cats for a few days while they recover from their surgeries.
Due to COVID, Operation Catnip has a long waitlist of cats needing to get fixed. In order to keep up with demand, they hope to find one space to temporarily house all of the cats, in hopes to be able to monitor them all at once.
If they cannot find a recovery space, the organization may need to temporarily pause their operation.
To volunteer with Operation Catnip or to offer a rehabilitation space contact them on Facebook or Instagram.
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Help PTBOCanada Support Peterborough Humane Society's "Strutt Your Mutt" Fundraiser
/During the month of September, editor David Tuan Bui, his fiancée Autumn Nadeau and other PTBOCanada staff are getting in shape for the Peterborough Humane Society’s (PHS) Strutt Your Mutt fundraiser.
(left to right) David Tuan Bui, Autumn Nadeau and Macaroon after the pair’s first walk of the month to kick off “Strutt Your Mutt.” Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The virtual challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.
Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.
Bui and Nadeau will walk every day possible during the whole month to raise money. Their plan is to raise $1,000 but may continue to increase the goal if the amount is exceeded.
They are running since their pet cat Macaroon was adopted from PHS on Oct. 15, 2018 and saw it as a way to give back to the animal shelter.
“She is my very first cat and I would love to give back to the Humane Society for giving us a furball who's given us so much joy,” exclaimed Bui.
David Tuan Bui joined the PTBOCanada team on Mar. 1 when owner Kirtus Evoy purchased the business from Neil Morton. Photo By David Tuan Bui.
If you would like to donate to PHS on PTBOCanada’s behalf, click here.
If you would like to create your own individual page or start your own team, click here.
The fundraising campaign is seeking its goal of $25,000 at the end of the month.
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Peterborough Humane Society Issues Virtual Challenge For Shelter Needs Fundraiser
/The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is calling the community to participate in the month-long “Strutt Your Mutt” fundraiser all September to help raise funds for animals in need announced Monday.
A puppy showing affection to Emily Craigen. Funds raised from Strutt, support greatest shelter needs as well as special programs such as the Milo Fund and Safe Nights for Pets (SnooPy) program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.
Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.
“One benefit to a virtual event is that people and animals that don’t like crowds could participate from a distance,” said Emily Craigen, PHS’s communications and development coordinator.
There are roughly 115 animals that are housed at the PHS. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 that will go towards providing essential vaccines, veterinary care, food and socialization of the hundreds of animals that come to PHS according to their press release.
“Don’t let the name “Strutt your Mutt” mislead you,” says Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We’re calling on all community members, pet owner or not, cat and dog lovers alike. We want to get folks active while supporting our four-legged friends.”
PetSmart often takes PHS animals to their store for display to be available for adoption. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Not only does doing this benefit the animals at the PHS but is a way to improve your own physical health according to Craigen.
“One of our participants in last year’s event lost 15 pounds through her evening walk with her daughter and their family dog,” she explained.
Registration has begun with the challenge taking place from Sept. 1 to 30. To sign up or donate, visit the Strutt Your Mutt website.
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Award-Winning Teen Farmer to Showcase Lamb For Second Consecutive Title
/Young farmer Natalie Dunford is gearing up for another successful year for the Peterborough Exhibition Junior Market Lamb show this Wednesday.
Natalie Dunford poses with her lamb. Natalie and her family also sell fresh sweet corn and pumpkins from their farm in Cavan. Photo courtesy of Sarah Dunford.
Growing up just down the road from her grandfather’s farm in Cavan, the 14-year-old Dunford has been farming her whole life. She has been showing sheep through 4-H — a non-profit geared towards teaching youth leadership and life skills — for six years and has been selling market lambs at auction for three years.
Last year, Dunford’s homegrown lamb placed first and was bought by Joe Donaldson from Smokey Joe’s butcher shop.
In past years, the Peterborough Exhibition Junior Market Lamb show has been open to the public with the lambs being auctioned off directly from the ring. Due to COVID-19, this and last year’s auction is online with an in-person show.
“The five kids that have entered lambs this year are exceptional,” said Sarah Dunford, Natalie’s mom. “They all have their own flocks. If it was in person, you could see the work that the kids do.”
To show a lamb, the farmer must “break it in” by getting the animal used to being led around the ring. Natalie has been working with her lamb that she will bring to the show on Wednesday for about a month.
She also helps look after the flock of over 60 lambs daily, performing vaccinations, putting fresh hay in their stalls and any other farm duties.
The money earned from this auction will go towards her post-secondary education says Natalie. The young farmer will attend high school in September and plans on pursuing an agricultural or horticulture education after graduation.
Natalie sits among her flock. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Dunford.
Natalie hopes that people become more aware of the fresh local lamb that is produced in Peterborough County.
“Your food comes from somewhere,” she says. “It may not come from me but it comes from somebody and it is a hell of a lot of work that goes into it.”
Hosted by the Peterborough Agricultural Society, the Ernest Boyles & Sons Ltd Market Steer and Junior Market Lamb Show & Sale begins on Wednesday. The online auction can be viewed here.
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VIP Guest Aids in "Ground-Digging" Ceremony for New Animal Care Centre
/“Thor” the dog along with a small group gathered together at the future site of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre for a tour and to celebrate the facility’s construction progress on Monday.
Thor with officials from the humane society, the city and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. Photo Courtesy Of Peterborough Humane Society.
Construction began in early May at 1999 Technology Dr. but COVID restrictions prevented a traditional groundbreaking ceremony.
$7.6 million of $10 million has been raised for the new animal facility.
The building has created roughly 50 construction jobs with 20 full-time jobs upon its completion according to the press release. Construction completion is expected by December 2022.
“Thor is a perfect example of how the new Centre will impact the lives of animals in need,” says Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society executive director. “He’s unneutered and waiting to get a spot for his surgery before he can be adopted. With backlogs at veterinary and spay/neuter clinics throughout the region, animals like Thor wait weeks or even months to get in for surgery.”
The ground-digging ceremony for the new Animal Care Centre that started construction in May. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.
The Centre will include the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption and education centre, a publicly accessible spay and neuter clinic and a provincial dog rehabilitation centre.
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Peterborough Zoo Offering Guided Tours This Summer
/Beginning July 2, the Riverview Park and Zoo will offer pre-booked guided tours of the zoo area announced in a press release on Friday.
Riverview Park and Zoo is the only accredited zoo in Canada with free admission. File Photo.
Like the admission, tours of the zoo are free however donations are strongly encouraged. Families of up to 10 people will be accommodated and booking will be available starting Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. A link will become available on their tour page for bookings at that time.
“We are so excited to welcome guests back for oneway guided treks of the zoo this summer,” said Cathy Mitchell, Program Supervisor. “We are ramping up, hiring staff, training volunteers, putting up barriers to the exhibits and adding more sanitizer stations.”
Riverview Park and Zoo has been operating in Peterborough since 1933. File Photo.
Several zoo amenities remain closed until further notice such as the splash pad, gift shop, snack bar, train ride and picnic shelters. The playground, disc golf course, park areas and park trails remain open for use.
Mitchell urges families to continue social distancing with other patrons and animals as the latter are vulnerable to the virus.
“As we have eight species of animals who are susceptible to COVID-19, we are asking all visitors do their part to protect these animals and remain at a two-metre distance from the animal exhibits at all times while on tours,” she said.
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Local Photographer Captures Late Spring Magic With Nature
/PTBOCanada is proud to support all things Peterborough including this wonderful photo gallery by Dave Ellis Photography.
Fox kit happily playing with a stick. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Two fox kits playing tag. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
A sandhill crane family with two young colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Two young sandhill crane colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Sandhill crane colt that could be thinking, “Look mom! I can fly!” Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Fritillary butterflies pollinating. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Male wood duck provides a splash of colour. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Common loon on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Great horned owl with her young ones on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Bald eagle feeding its young chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Osprey feeding its chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Young deer fawn exploring its new world. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
Male wild turkey displaying for potential female mates. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.
