Peterborough Police Launch 'K9 Calendar' Fundraiser For Peterborough Animal Care Centre

You can hang up 12 months’ worth of dog pictures anywhere in support of the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and the Peterborough Animal Care Centre as the Peterborough Police Service has launched their first-ever ‘K9 Calendar’ fundraiser announced on Thursday.

Jamie Hartneett, inspector of operations; Pixie, facility dog and Alice Czitrom, victim services coordinator unveiling the first-ever K9 calendar. Pixie has been with the Peterborough Police Service since January of 2020. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The calendar features photos of the police K9 Unit with police dogs such as PSD Isaac, PSD Gryphon, PSD Mag and their handlers Cons. Bob Cowie and Cons. Dillon Wentworth – along with facility dog Pixie and her handler Alice Czitrom.

The calendar costs $20 with all proceeds going to the PHS’s Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Calendars can be purchased online at their website. Calendar pickups are at the Peterborough Police Station, located at 500 Water St. between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

The K9 Calendar has the latest statistics on the work of both K9 Unit and Facility Dog Pixie in Victim Services and a section dedicated to past Police Service Dogs and handlers.

“This project has been in the works since January.  We feel it’s a neat way to connect with our community and share the great work our canine officers and their handlers do each shift.” says Tim Farquharson, Peterborough Police Service acting chief. “It’s also important for us to give back to our community.  As such the proceeds from the sale of the calendars will go to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Animal Care Centre.”

“We are excited to not only have the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre highlighted in the 2023 Calendar but for the funds to also be supporting Our Pet Project capital campaign to build the new Centre.” shared Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre’s construction is scheduled to finish before the end of the year with a soft opening in January. This Centre hosts three programs: a publicly accessible Spay and Neuter Clinic, an Education and Adoption Centre and a cutting-edge Dog Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre also features a community hub, an off-leash dog park, a private event space and a patio.

"A lot of our members are animal lovers,” said Jamie Hartnett, Peterborough Police inspector of operations. “Peterborough Police have always been engaged with the community aspect of it, community policing and this is just another example of why we love our community.”

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Kawartha Downs Donates $25,000 Towards Construction Completion of Peterborough Animal Care Centre

Caring about more than just horses, Kawartha Downs Raceway has donated $25,000 towards the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) to help complete construction of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) announced on Wednesday.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be over 24,000 square feet and include a state-of-the art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

In recognition of the donation, a dog adoption suite will be named in honour of Kawartha Downs and will also be recognized on the Donor Wall located in the lobby of the new PACC.

“Kawartha Downs provides entertainment for families and supports the community. We are also all animal lovers her,” shared Summer Nickerson-Hagen of Kawartha Downs. “Kawartha Downs would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre in caring for our community’s most vulnerable pets.”

“Support from local businesses like Kawartha Downs is extremely important to the success of this project,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “This new Centre will set a new standard in animal wellness and care, Peterborough will be part of a Canadian-first, which will support our local businesses and community.”

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Commemorative Animals in War Pins Raise Money for Animal Centres This Remembrance Day

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society honour Canada’s veterans and the animals that served alongside them with commemorative Animals in War pins this Remembrance Day.

Photo courtesy of The Ontario SPCA.

Proceeds from the pins sold will help the Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province. One dollar from each pin sold will be donated to Royal Canadian Legion branches in Ontario SPCA animal centre communities.

The pin is intended to be worn alongside the poppy and represents the sacrifice made by animals who have served and continue to serve, alongside Canada’s veterans.

The Animals in War campaign was first launched in 2017. Commemorative pins have included a horse, dog, pigeon, cat and a limited edition pin in honour of the women who have served in Canada’s military.

Mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages, cats served as companions and kept ships free of vermin and dogs served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers.

Pins can be ordered at ontariospca.ca/remember.

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Peterborough Animal Care Centre Retail Area Named Jade’s Pet Boutique’ In New Partnership With Can-Pet

As construction nears its final stages for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC), its retail area will be named Can-Pet has become a new partner ‘Jade’s Pet Boutique’ in an new partnership announced Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The boutique is named after Jade, Nick Nicoloff’s late dog, who is the principle and vice president of Can-Pet Inc. Jade served as the ‘President and CEO’ and Can-Pet ambassador who came into work every day for 17 years.

“When I saw the stories on the news of the shelters across the country facing record surrender numbers and capacity levels and need for resources, I knew we needed to step in and help however we could,” said Nicoloff.

Jade also served as a therapy dog at long-term care homes with her mom Cindy. Nicoloff and the Can-Pet team look to honour her and all the amazing animals in our lives at this boutique.

Construction at PACC is expected to be completed in late fall with the Humane Society moving in by year’s end.

The Peterborough Humane Society is currently fundraising for the capital campaign, with multiple naming opportunities available. Those interested in becoming part of Our Pet Project can visit www.ourpetproject.ca.

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Grand Opening of Pet Spa For Local Couple In Downtown Peterborough

Local couple and co-owners Janeine Sali and Ryan Brown had their grand opening of Peterborough’s newest animal paradise, Roman & Co. Pet Spa on Tuesday.

Co-owner Janeine Sali, grooming cockapoo Ellie, the business’s first-ever client in their grand opening on Tuesday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The pet spa offers grooming (nail trimming, de-shedding, etc.), cleaning and bathing for dogs only. Cat services are available in the future at an undisclosed date according to the couple.

Roman and Co. highlighted the importance of supporting local as they collaborated with several small businesses.

They sell products from Pip & Penny Co., a small business that makes pet bandanas. Pip also sells bowties and scrunchies for dogs and quilts and catnip pouches for cats online.

The spa sells gourmet dog cookies from Douro-based business HappyNess Cookies.

Sali had the business idea during the height of the pandemic but put plans into motion roughly two months ago.

The new entrepreneur said she could have made a career in several different paths with her love of animals but decided a pet spa was the best option.

“I really love the satisfying feeling of making a dog look good but making them feel comfortable," said Sali. “You really get to know them as an individual when they keep coming back. They become like one of your own.”

@ptbo_canada Meet Peterborough’s newest pet spa, @RomanCoPetSpa! Locally owned by couple Janeine Sali and Ryan Brown! Bring in your dog or cat for some grooming and/or a wash! #ptbo #ptbocanada #pet #pets #petlover #petsoftiktok #dog #dogsoftiktok #cat #catsoftiktok #smallbusiness #petspa #downtown #peterborough #supportlocal ♬ Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

The business took over the previous Mr. Brock Barber Shop located on 221 Brock St. The building has been a barbershop since the 1820s according to Sali. The spa is honouring the building’s history since its transformation such as keeping several relics and trademark items on display.

“I really want to keep a lot of the history alive,” said Sali. “We wanted to keep a lot of the things the same, keep all the antique stuff that was left here and a tribute month for all the people who were in here in past. It's an honour to be in this building.”

Sali had named the business after her German Shepard, Roman. The spa is open five days a week by appointment only and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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Local Dog Trainer Holds Grand Opening Of First Brick-And-Mortar Store

It has been nine years in the making for dog trainer Ineke Turner as she opened her first brick-and-mortar business, Turner & Pooch Dog Training, in a grand opening on Tuesday afternoon.

(From left to right) Tiffany Acari, Peterborough Chamber media and member relations; Ineke Turner, Turner & Pooch owner and Nigel Broersma, Chamber member relations coordinator performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Turner’s first business.

The business provides dog training classes either in groups of up to four or private lessons alongside a trainer.

This is the first business that Turner has opened since her nine years as a dog trainer.

"I am scared out of my mind but I’m really excited to be here and help people with their dogs,” she said.

Turner was training dogs at Del Crary and Millenium Park for the past nine years. The rapport and relationships she developed working at the parks gave her the confidence to open her first store according to Turner.

“I've always wanted to have an indoor space just to be able to provide more service to people,” she explained.

While most businesses have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided the opposite effect for Turner. She noticed that several households were taking in more dogs as pets to aid in mental health during the height of the pandemic.

“With a lot of covid puppies, I was able to have that opportunity a lot quicker,” said Turner.

Turner & Pooch Dog Training is located at 142 Simcoe St. in downtown Peterborough.

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Auto Connect Sales To Host Furry Friends For Adoption From Four Lucky Paws Animal Rescue On Saturday

Auto Connect Sales will be hosting Four Lucky Paws Animal Rescue on Saturday, in hopes to find some furry friends homes in Peterborough.

Four Lucky Paws with Banner the Dane, and Cheryl Watson at Auto Connect Sales. Photo courtesy of Auto Connect Sales.

From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Auto Connect Sales will be filled with dogs and puppies available for adoption.

The public is welcome to drop in, visit some dogs and participate in their silent auction, face painting and barbeque, with proceeds going towards animal care.

Cheryl Watson, from Auto Connect, says prior to opening their Lansdowne location she worked with Katelyn Hubbert, the founder of Four Lucky Paws.

“We always try to do as many charitable thing as we can,” said Watson. “Now, here we are, we have the opportunity to help even more than before and we’re just hoping to bring more awareness to her rescue, and help find some puppies a home.”

Hubbert started this rescue on her own in 2014.

“That’s not an easy thing to do, start something from scratch,” said Watson. “I’m so proud of what she’s accomplished so far.”

Four Lucky Paws is a foster-based rescue, meaning they do not have a physical shelter for animals in their care.

Individuals sign up to temporarily house dogs until someone reaches out to adopt.

Four Lucky Paws relies on donations and volunteers to fund medical care, food, supplies, and training. All dogs in their care are spayed or neutered before adoption.

Watson hopes that even if they aren’t ready to adopt, those that come on Saturday may consider fostering a dog, or donating to allow Four Lucky Paws to continue the work they do.

“Even if you can’t adopt a dog right now, who doesn’t want to come snuggle a puppy for a day?”

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Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Urgently Seeking Volunteer Drivers

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is seeking volunteer drivers to be turtle taxis, transporting injured turtles from around the province to the clinic announced Wednesday.

File Photo.

Drivers would carry turtles after meeting with other taxis and transport them in roughly 60 to 90-minute interval trips to their destination.

The Centre is the only accredited turtle hospital in the province.

"They (turtles) come in from all over Ontario, we have 1,500 turtles that come in per year approximately," said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Conservation Centre executive and medical director.

Anyone can register to be a volunteer or get more information by emailing volunteer@ontarioturtle.ca.

If you see an injured turtle in Ontario, you can contact the centre to get it transported from one of 900 volunteer drivers across the province or bring it in yourself.

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Humane Society Seeking $3 Million in Funding to Complete Peterborough Animal Care Centre

With the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) less than six months away from moving into the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the shelter is seeking $3 million to complete the project.

The groundbreaking ceremony began in late June of last year. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The centre is located at 1999 Technology Dr. where construction began in May of last year. The fundraising goal was at $10 million since then.

“Spreading the word, donating and endorsing the project is what we need right now to get us into our new home,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will truly revolutionize animal care, not only in Peterborough but for our greater region.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“The project is currently on budget and following the timeline, which has been a challenge with Covid-19. But thanks to the many local contractors, suppliers and the hard work going into this project we’ve been able to stay on track. The pillar of this project is the funding, and with the community’s support we can achieve our goal in revolutionizing animal care in Peterborough and beyond.”

The Centre is projected to be completed by the year end according to the Humane Society.  The building will be over 24,000 sq. ft. and include a state-of-the-art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic and Canada’s first Dog Rehabilitation Centre created in partnership with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Visit www.ourpetproject.ca to donate towards the shelter.

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Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Receives $250,000 in Funding to Aid in Turtle Rehabilitation

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is receiving $250,000 in funding from the Ontario government as part of a $4.5 million investment to protect species at risk announced on Friday.

Cathy Bruce, Trent University’s acting vice-president of Research and Innovation holding Andrea, a Blanding’s turtle missing its right eye. Blanding turtles are provincially “threatened” and endangered globally. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will go towards staffing, protecting and recovering at-risk turtles, education, field research and disease surveillance.

“The on-the-ground work carried out by stewardship organizations is extremely important to protecting at-risk plants and wildlife in Ontario,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Our government is proud to support its partners and the many important research and recovery projects they are undertaking this year to help preserve our province’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”

"This historic investment will strengthen their work in ecological restoration and rehabilitation projects locally and across the province,” said MPP Dave Smith.

The Conservation Centre was one of over 80 projects approved for funding through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. They are the only accredited veterinarian hospital dedicated to turtles in the province.

"They (turtles) come in from all over Ontario, we have 1,500 turtles that come in per year approximately," said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Conservation Centre executive and medical director. “Since road mortality is one of the leading causes of declines and why seven of the eight of our native species are at risk, this really does a lot to help mitigate that any by time to fix the problem.”

@ptbo_canada Turtles are important for our wetlands! They help clean and filter the water for us! We love these guys! #turtlesoftiktok #turtlesquad🐢 #ptbo #prbocanada #wildlife #animals #turtle #turtles ♬ Hug a Turtle - Parry Gripp

If you see an injured turtle in Ontario, you can contact the centre to get it transported from one of 900 volunteer drivers across the province or bring it in yourself.

Turtle help with wetlands maintenance as they act as a filter for healthy water sources according to Carstairs.

Report dead turtles to the Conservation Centre since they can still incubate and hatch the eggs through their hatchling program if the mother has any. The Centre can obtain data via its location and aid in disease analysis if a deceased turtle is reported.

Once hatched and ready, the centre will release the newborns roughly one kilometre within the location of where they were found in an appropriate body of water.

There are eight different turtle species in Ontario: Spotted, Blanding’s, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Wood, Eastern Musk, Northern Map, Snapping and Painted.

Trent University received $132,955 over three years for assessing changes in population size and genetic structure to determine population targets for self-sustaining populations of Small-mouthed salamander and Unisexual Ambystoma on Pelee Island.

They also got $60,000 for three years for delineating Boreal and Eastern Migratory ranges and investigating metapopulation dynamics of Boreal caribou using genome-wide data from non-invasively collected samples.

All donations can be made at the Centre’s official website.

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