Peterborough Police Service Facility Dog Pixie Turns Six

Peterborough Police Services first-ever facility dog Pixie turns six on Wednesday.

Screenshot from Pixie’s official Instagram account.

A facility dog is a professionally trained dog that provides emotional support to people experiencing trauma and stress, including at police stations and court houses.

Pixie, a Labrador cross trained and accredited by National Service Dogs of Canada, came to the Peterborough Police Services in January 2020.

Often Pixie can be found providing support to victims during police interviews, accompanying victims ton court, at crime scenes and in plenty of meetings.

In an Instagram post to Pixies account Peterborough Police Service workers wrote ‘Pixie thank you for bringing calmness, love and patience to our often chaotic and traumatic work. You are so loved by all Peterborough Police.’

Photo courtesy of Pixie’s Instagram account.

Pixie and her team keep the community updated on her work via her Instagram account @ptbopolicek9pixie.

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Riverview Park And Zoo Otter Twins Boldt And Lawrence Turn Four

Twin otters Boldt and Lawrence at Riverview Park and Zoo turn four on Tuesday.

In captivity River otters have a life expectancy of about 25 years. Photo courtesy of RPZ.

Both male otters came to RPZ in 2019 from the Aquatarium in Brockville.

They joined two river otters already living at the zoo, Splish and Melissa.

RPZ’s outdoor otter exhibit opened in 2007 and has two pools, a waterfall and a slide, as well as outdoor land areas for the animals to roam, play and hide.

The boys celebrated their birthday in their icy cold pool at the zoo.

River otters have two layers of fur that protect them from cold water.

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Peterborough Animal Care Centre Recieves $260,000 Grant From PetSmart Charities of Canada

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Humane Society received a $260,000 grant for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

PetSmart Charities of Canada donated the grant. The 24,000 sq. ft. Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be home to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption & Education Centre and Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic as well as the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre.

Construction is well underway and slated to be completed at the end of 2022. Fundraising is ongoing and PetSmart Charites of Canada’s support moves both PHS and the Ontario SPCA even closer to their goal.

PHS will use grant funds to purchase medical equipment required for the regional high-volume spay/neuter clinic within the new centre. The Spay/Neuter Clinic (which will serve the public as well as other animal rescue organizations) will provide up to 25 surgeries a day, helping 5,000 pets and their families each year according to the PHS.

"PetSmart Charities of Canada has been a phenomenal partner on this journey to the new centre,” shares Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Their support brings us that much closer to being able to raise the bar in animal care in our community and beyond.”

$75,000 of the grant will go towards the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. The Dog Rehabilitation Centre will be custom-built to help dogs who need more support and individualized care than an animal centre can provide. It will contain several unique features, including a real family living room to help dogs practice living in a home environment.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada to help bring the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre to reality,” says Dr. Stephanie Black, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society chief veterinary officer. “Once complete, this centre will fill a critical and significant gap in current services by addressing the individualized needs of dogs most difficult to adopt.”

PetSmart Charities of Canada has cumulatively contributed over $421,000 towards the innovative new animal care facility located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough.

“We recognize the need for accessible health and wellness services for pets, which is why we are excited that the new Animal Care Centre will help bring those services to the Peterborough community,” says Dani LaGiglia, PetSmart Charities of Canada senior community grants manager. “Not only will the centre help more pets find homes, but it will help more pets receive the care they need to support their health and well-being.”

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Riverview Park And Zoo Mourns The Loss Of Ferrari The Two-Toed Sloth

Riverview Park and Zoo announced the death of Ferrari the male two-toed sloth, on Tuesday.

Ferrari came to the Park and Zoo from the Calgary Zoo in the summer of 2013, following the Calgary flood.

The Animal Heath Team had been monitoring him closely as his condition had started to deteriorate somewhat. He then took a sudden turn for the worse and unfortunately passed away.

Ferrari died from the complications arising from several age-related conditions. He was thirty-two years old.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives Over $20,000 On Betty White's Birthday

The Peterborough Humane Society received $20,376 in donations on Monday in celebration of Betty White’s birthday.

Getty Images.

White, an American actress, comedian and animal rights advocate, passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 99.

To honour her legacy fans started an international campaign called the #BettyWhiteChallenge. The campaign encouraged people to donate money to their local animal shelters to celebrate the icons 100th birthday on Monday.

By Tuesday morning PHS had announced that they had received $20,376 with more donations still incoming.

“It has absolutely knocked our socks off at PHS. To know that we are one of thousands of animal shelters across the country, and world, that are feeling the positive impact from this social media movement,” said Emily Craigen, communications and development coordinator at PHS. “I mean, Betty White was already this beloved cultural icon and to have this movement come to life that benefits animals in need around the globe, it's inspiring.”

In addition to the PHS receiving generous donations from community members, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society announced on social media that they received over $9,000 on donations on Monday.

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Local Veterinary Clinics Band Together During New Years Eve Emergency

Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital and Norwood Veterinary Clinic stepped in to take the pressure off Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic, who had reached capacity and were forced to close their doors to pets that needed care, on New Year’s Eve.

Dr. Kristy Hiltz. Photo courtesy of Sherbrooke Heights Animal Clinic.

When Stacey MacPherson, a registered veterinary technician (RVT) at Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital, saw KVEC’s post on Facebook stating they were at capacity she knew she had to do something.

She sent a message in the SHAH group chat, and her co-workers felt the same.

Dr. Kristy Hiltz, SHAH, got in contact with KVAC and they quickly worked out a plan.

“Stacey said ‘What do we do? How can we help?’,” said Hiltz. “I said ‘If they ask us to take any patients, do we have anyone that would be willing to do that?’ and immediately I had another veterinarian and two technicians volunteer and say ‘we’re in.’.”

Within an hour of MacPherson bringing the problem to her co-workers attention, SHAH was open and ready to take on patients at 5:30 p.m.

“I was super proud of my staff. First of all that Stacey called it to our attention and for Dr. Sarah and Jill and Stacey for stepping up and coming in to work - even after working a full week. This was supposed to be their day off.”

Norwood Veterinary Clinic also stepped in to provide relief for KVAC. Dr. Hiltz notes that this is not the first time veterinarians in Norwood have offered help to other clinics.

“Kudos to Dr. Scott in Norwood. I will say this is not the first time she’s stepped up to offer help, just out of the goodness of her heart,” said Dr. Hiltz. “There’s definitely veterinarians out there who will see the greater need and respond to that need, and that’s what they did.”

Dr. Hiltz says that this emergency on New Year’s Eve highlighted the crisis going on in the veterinary world right now.

“This is a part of a really big crisis we’re seeing Canada-wide. We don’t have enough veterinarians or veterinary staff. The need, especially during COVID, increased dramatically and that just put so much pressure on people who are already over worked.”

She notes that mental health in those working in the industry in declining.

“We have veterinarians and support staff who are burning out, there’s an association now for suicide prevention in veterinarians and techs and that’s not a good thing.”

Dr. Hiltz does not have an immediate solution for the issues the veterinary world is facing right now. She says that the emergency on New Years Eve was resolved because of caring staff that were physically and mentally able to work, but that may not always be the case.

“People need to balance their physical and emotional health with the work that required. I think it’s mirroring what’s going on in human medicine. As much as we talk about a crisis in veterinary medicine and being over-worked, I think about the crisis they’re experiencing and my heart goes out to them. It’s hard to say no when someone needs help - whether it’s a person or a little furry creature.”

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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.

In a social media post on Monday, zoo manager and curator Jim Moloney, said the zoo would close as COVID-19 cases surge and Ontario re-introduces the modified stage two restrictions.

The zoo re-opened in November, after being open for scheduled tours only since July. The zoo was completely closed to the public from March 2020 until then.

In the social media post, Moloney said “We’re disappointed to have to close again, and hope to welcome out visitors back soon.”

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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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