Peterborough Humane Society Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre

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The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) celebrated the official Grand Opening of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) on Saturday.

all photos courtesy of the peterborough animal care centre.

Local dignitaries, capital campaign donors and community members were in attendance for the ribbon cutting and speeches, which took place at 1999 Technology Drive in Peterborough.

“This is a ground-breaking day for animal wellness. The original concept was dreamt up over 10 years ago. It is such a privilege to officially open the doors and commemorate this day with our supporters,” said Shawn Morey, executive director at the Peterborough Humane Society. “Thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, and the support of our community we have made this dream of bringing this state-of-the-art facility a reality.”

The celebratory event catered to all members of the community, including furry friends. The Pet Zone featured a lure course, dog pools, ball pits and more for animals to enjoy. Visitors enjoyed a barbecue out on the new patio, and had the opportunity to learn about all the services provided at PACC. Face painting, crafts and chalk drawing made for a fun day for kids.

“It is so amazing to see everyone come together to celebrate this exciting day. From the volunteers and staff working the event, our local business community joining in the festivities and those who came out to celebrate; every bit of support means the world to PHS. This Centre was built because of the incredible support from our community,” said Morey. “To have this leading-edge facility in Peterborough is truly momentous and will advance our entire region forward.”

The Peterborough Humane Society recently launched the latest stage of their capital campaign to raise the final $3 million needed to meet the $13 million goal for the Our Pet Project. Completing ‘The Home Stretch’ of the fundraising campaign will allow PHS to focus on expanding services and improving animal wellness.

Information on the new centre and the fundraising campaign can be found on the website.

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Peterborough Humane Society Celebrates Official Ribbon Cutting of the PetSmart Charities of Canada Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic

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The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and PetSmart Charities of Canada celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of the Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) Thursday morning.

photo by felicia Massey.

The Clinic will be named for PetSmart Charities of Canada in honour of their generous donations. Representatives from the US and Canada came together at PACC to commemorate occasion with supporters and Mastiff mix Angus.

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

“Access to spay/neuter is essential for all pets to maintain the momentum on finding homes for all animals,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “When pets do find their home, access to affordable and high-quality veterinary care is foundational to a long and healthy life, care that today, is unattainable for too many pet parents. That’s why we’re thrilled our long-time partners at the Peterborough Humane Society have associated our name with the spay/neuter clinic. Their leadership and commitment to their community through this centre promises to deliver the best care to those in need.”

“PetSmart Charities of Canada have been a remarkable partner on this journey to our new centre,” said Shawn Morey, executive director at the Peterborough Humane Society. “Their support has been huge in bringing our new centre to a reality, and allowing us to offer more services to our local and regional communities. Partnerships like these are exactly what we need to continue our mission, as well as meet our fundraising goals.”

PHS used the grant funds to purchase medical equipment required for the high-volume spay/neuter clinic within the new centre. The Spay/Neuter Clinic, which serves the public as well as other animal rescue organizations, provides over 25 surgeries a day. The Clinic plans to grow, with the goal of helping over 5,000 pets and their families each year.

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American Zoologists The Kratt Brothers Come to Peterborough to Film ‘Wild Kratts’ Episode Featuring Riverview Park and Zoo Camels

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Martin and Chris Kratt stopped by the Riverview Park and Zoo on Tuesday to film for their PBS Kids show ‘Wild Kratts,’ which aims to educate young viewers on zoology and ecology.

photo courtesy of riverview park and zoo, facebook.

Martin and Chris Kratt are zoologists and actors who host the educational series. They have produced five TV series including ‘Kratts’ Creatures’ and ‘Zoboomafoo’ which educate children on different species through live-action and cartoon segments.

The brother’s filmed with Riverview’s Bactrian Camels for the upcoming episode.

Wild Kratts is in its seventh season on PBS, which can be streamed in Canada on TVOKids.

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Peterborough Humane Society in ‘The Home Stretch’ of Ongoing Our Pet Project Capital Campaign

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The Peterborough Humane Society has launched ‘The Home Stretch’ campaign to raise the $3 million needed to meet the Our Pet Project capital campaign fundraising goal for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre at 1999 Technology Drive.

PHS moved to the new location in January 2023, with a grand opening celebration planned for June 24. However more funds are needed to bridge the gap and meet the organization’s campaign goal. To date nearly $10 million has been raised; the remaining $3 million will be used to pay off the construction loan.

“This centre was built for the community, by the community. We are close to our goal, and need some additional support to close out the fundraising gap so we can dedicate all of our efforts and future funding to go directly to the care, programs and services for animals in need,” said Shawn Morey, executive director of the Peterborough Humane Society. “We are incredibly grateful to all our donors that have helped us along the way. Our community’s amazing support has helped us make this decade-long dream of becoming a premier animal wellness organization a reality. This home stretch will allow us to finish the project, and allow us to set our sights on supporting more animals and individuals for generations to come.”

The move from the original 6,000 square foot shelter on Lansdowne Street to the 24,000 square foot Centre on Technology Drive in Peterborough has allowed for a Canadian-first with three programs under one roof; the Adoption and Education Centre, Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic and the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre run by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Since the move less than 5 months ago over 200 animals have been adopted, and over 1000 have been spayed/neutered with 13 dogs being rehabilitated.

“We have already seen a tremendous impact on our community since moving into our new facility, and we are hopeful that more donors will join us to allow us to reach our goal, and allow us to provide even more programs and services to support our local and regional communities,” concluded Morey. “We encourage folks to come and visit the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Our doors are open, and we look forward to continuing our organizational mission within this incredible new Centre. We’re in the home stretch– but our commitment to improve animal wellness will never stop.”

Donations can be made online, over the phone or in-person at PACC (1999 Technology Drive). Naming opportunities and major gifts can be discussed with Si Grobler (manager of donor relations) at s.grobler@ptbohs.com or 705-760-4451.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives $10,000 Donation From Docupet

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Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a donation of $10,000 from the City of Peterborough’s official pet licensing partner, DocuPet announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“This donation will go a long way in supporting the care we provide animals in our community. From reuniting animals, taking in strays and surrenders and everything in between, every dollar counts in the care of these animals.” shared Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

DocuPet is a pet profile, lost pet and licensing solution business that joined PHS in 2019. This donation came from DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund that collects automatic donations through designer license tag purchases as well as direct donations. 

Licensing fees collected annually contribute to the PHS’s daily operational expenses according to a press release.

To mark the occasion, DocuPet is offering $10 off a regularly priced designer tag for all City of Peterborough pet owners with promo code ‘PTBO10.’

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Riverview Park and Zoo Reopened After Being Temporarily Closed From Fire

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UPDATE: 11:02 a.m. 08/05/23

Riverview Park and Zoo announced that it has reopened after being temporarily closed by a fire according to a Monday morning tweet.

IN CAPTIVITY, RIVER OTTERS HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ABOUT 25 YEARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF Riverview Park and Zoo.

No animals or staff were harmed from the fire according to a tweet just before 11 a.m. Monday.

The zoo stated in a Tweet that they were closed just before 9:30 a.m. Monday morning. “We are closed until further notice. please keep an eye on social media for updates. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

The closure affected the gated zoo area however the playground remained open, according to the zoo’s comment on their Facebook post.

Since 1933, Riverview Park and Zoo is Canada’s only free-admission accredited zoo with nearly a quarter of a million annual visitors. It features a disc golf course, a park, a miniature train, splash pads and live music alongside its animal exhibits.

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Honour An Animal Lover and Help the New Peterborough Animal Care Centre Through Memorial Donations

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A generous memorial donation was made to the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre by Gloria Porter-MacDonald in tribute of her late son Drew MacDonald.

Drew MacDonald and his dog. photo courtesy of the peterborough humane society.

She chose to donate to the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) in memory of her son who passed in January 2020. A dog adoption suite has been named in his honour and will also be displayed on PACC’s Donor Wall.

“Drew was an owner/operator in the transportation industry. He was a gentle giant; kind, a loyal friend, a team player and willing to help,” his mother shared. “Drew had a sense of humour, a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for those who risk life and limb for others.”

Gloria says Drew’s experience with dogs began with a Doberman Pinscher.

“Later he brought home two bonded Beagle puppies from the Peterborough Humane Society rather than leave one behind unadopted. Drew loved his dogs,” said Gloria. “When it was necessary for our family to re-home Drew's two Beagles, Buddy and Sam, we felt comfortable knowing there was a service available to assist in finding a new home for them. We wanted to support the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre in improving the needs of our local community for pets and animals in memory of Drew's love of dogs.”

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre is now open at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough with a grand opening event scheduled for June. The centre features a state-of-the art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre.

“We are honoured to recognize Drew and his love for animals through our new Centre. This donation to the Centre will not only impact the lives of the animals in our care but our entire community and beyond,” said Peterborough Humane Society executive director Shawn Morey. “Memorial gifts are an incredible way to leave a lasting impact, and we are truly thankful to be a part of Drew’s memory. His love for animals will live on for generations to come through this gift.”

Donations are still needed to reach the capital campaign goal. To learn how to contribute, visit the website.

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Peterborough Humane Society Packs Its Bags To Move Into the New Peterborough Animal Care Centre

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It’s moving day for the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) as they have begun shifting their operations from their Lansdowne Street location into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) on Tuesday.

Roughly 100 animals were moved to the new location but the space is not yet open to the public. The Peterborough Humane Society closed its Lansdowne Street operation as of Saturday. It served as a holding facility for the animals. The new PACC features an animal adoption and education centre, a spay-and-neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre.

It has already been funded by almost $10 million in community donations but requires another $2.5 million to complete all projects and construction according to Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

“We're just doing some final finishes and final touching that need to be done to get us prepared for occupancy and allow the public to come on-site,” he said. “Staff can get into the space because a lot of them haven't been in this space yet, get to know the facility and experience it. We can test out all the bugs and make sure that it's ready to rock when we can open to the public.”

Individuals, organizations and groups have helped fund the animal care centre and Morey is grateful for the outreach and support of the new building.

“It just shows the pride that Peterborough has for their animals,” he said.

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Humane Society has moved into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre in Technology Drive! The new facility features an animal, adoption and education centre, a spay-and-neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre! ##fyp##ptbo##ptbocanada##humanesociety##peterbroroughhumanesociety##journalism##journalismlife##journalist##journalistlife##animals##animal##animaltok##animaltiktok##animalwelfare##animalshelter ♬ Best background music for corporate CM, company description videos, etc. - harryfaoki

Services that were available at the Peterborough Humane Society are still provided during the move such as licensing (new or renewals) and appointment-only viewings and adoptions are available.

A soft opening is projected for mid-February with a grand opening planned in the spring.

Tuesday also marks ‘Betty White Day’ as she was renowned for her passion for animals and her acting career. The day was created shortly after her passing prior to New Year’s Day of 2022 and was an initiative to encourage the world to contribute to animal welfare. Last year, roughly $20,000 was raised for the PACC in honour of the late beloved actress. A count has not yet been released since the PHS is still awaiting a final count.

Donations can be made throughout the week and can be done online.

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Peterborough Humane Society Moves Operations to New Animal Care Centre; Betty White Fundraiser Day On Tuesday

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The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has begun moving its operations to the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) and has closed the Lansdowne Street location announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The new location is at 1999 Technology Dr. as the Lansdowne Street location finally closed after 65 years on Saturday. 

Construction for the new centre is not fully complete with minor projects in progress internally, with landscaping and other outdoor developments that will continue into the spring according to a press release.

“This is an exciting time at PHS, but as it will take us a bit of time to settle in we appreciate the community’s patience and support as we make this transition. We are pleased and very proud to soon welcome everyone to our new home to experience this community space, built to revolutionize animal wellness.” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

A soft opening is projected for mid-February with a grand opening planned in the spring.

PHS is also celebrating “Betty White Day” on Tuesday to help raise funds for the PACC.

“Last year the ‘Betty White Challenge’, celebrated in honour of the late philanthropist’s 100th birthday, helped PHS raise over $20,000,” said Morey. “We hope the community will honour Betty again this year and will celebrate our big move with us by contributing to our capital campaign.”

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

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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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