Peterborough Humane Society Partners With Pet Tech Startup DocuPet To Make Pet Licensing & Recovery Easier

The Peterborough Humane Society has announced that pet licensing has become easier due to a partnership with DocuPet, the country’s leading provider of pet tag, lost pet recovery, and pet licensing services.

“Pet licences are really important for the provision of animal welfare and public safety here in Peterborough,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society. “Properly identified animals are five times more likely to be returned home safely, reducing the number of stray animals that enter our shelter and keeping families together.” 

HOW IT WORKS

-> DocuPet allows pet owners to register and renew pet licences online.

-> When licensing, pet owners can choose a standard city tag or, for an additional fee, they can select from any of more than 25 designer tag options. They can also choose to add their pet’s name and their phone number to each tag.

-> Each DocuPet tag has a unique code that is linked to their HomeSafe™ Lost Pet Service. Similar to the Amber Alert service, HomeSafe™ allows pet owners to send Lost Pet Reports that are received by local pet owners and animal welfare organizations who can help find and return the pet.

-> Anyone who finds a lost pet can also use the code on the tag to reunite the pet with the pet owner. DocuPet provides a 24/7 free hotline to aid in the return of animals.

Sample courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

“We call them pet tags that help all pets,” says Grant Goodwin, DocuPet’s CEO. “Our tags help pets get home quickly at no cost, but the purchase of them also helps fund animal welfare initiatives so pets in crisis can also find safe and happy homes.”

Peterborough pet owners can license their dog or cat online at peterborough.docupet.com, or by calling 1-855-249-1370 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday. They may also visit to purchase a license in person.

For more info on fees for pet licenses, click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Dan Joyce's, Jeff Purveys & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Dan Joyce’s Classic Clothing, the iconic women’s wear store in Peterborough, has a new owner. Nancy Wiskel recently took over ownership from Dan and Sally Joyce, who have built a legacy business over the last 40 years. Nancy’s history with the store goes back to helping her Dad pick out gifts for her Mom at the store! She also has a background in the online fashion world with her company styleyesfashioncrate.com. Nancy plans to maintain all of the wonderful staff and clothing lines, while adding a few new lines here and there. Congratulations to Nancy on her new adventure—and to Dan and Sally on their retirement.

Nancy Wiskel

Speaking of anniversaries, how about 100 years! It was 1919 when the first Purveys opened in Toronto. In 1956, Jeff Purvey’s opened in Peterborough on Rubidge Street, and later added a second location on Chemong Road. Manager Brian Tillie, himself marking 33 years with the company, is planning a big celebration all day this Saturday (November 9) with everything tax-free, and free appetizers for eat-in customers, cake and more. Congratulations!

Gates College recently opened a campus on Lansdowne street. In Cobourg since 1993, and Sault Saint Marie for 5 years, the Peterborough location is at 1135 Lansdowne Street West. Gates College offers Advanced Business Management, Police Foundations, Personal Support Worker, and Medical Office Assistant programs. Visit gatescollege.ca for details.

Many of us are increasingly tied to our smartphones. How about an app designed to encourage you to disconnect, get outside and explore? BiosphereGPS is Jordan Ahee’s new business—a mobile app with a mapping feature that shows 10 different environment types across Southern Ontario, from Agriculture, to Coniferous, Grassland, Wetland, Water and more. BiosphereGPS is in beta testing mode right now, includes interactive features and is available on the App Store.

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Emterra Environmental Is New Contractor For Recycling Collection & Processing For City Of Peterborough

Starting today (Friday, November 1st), Emterra Environmental is the new contractor for recycling collection and processing for the City of Peterborough.

“While the recycling program remains the same, you’re going to see an emphasis on proper sorting of recyclable materials in our public education campaign and enforcement,” says Dave Douglas, Waste Diversion Section Manager. “The market for recyclable materials has become much stricter on the quality of materials. To be able to divert these items from landfill, we need to make sure that materials are sorted properly for processing and marketing.”

“If your blue boxes are not sorted properly, your recycling will not be collected,” adds Douglas. “Bring it back in, re-sort, and put it out again on your collection day the following week. Alternatively, you can drop off sorted recyclables at the Recycling Facility, 390 Pido Rd.”

The City’s handy online tool “What Goes Where?” at peterborough.ca/recycling is a helpful guide to sorting. For more details, contact the Waste Management Division at 705.742.7777, ext. 1657.

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City of Peterborough Launches New Online Community Engagement Space Called Connect Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has launched a new online community engagement space called Connect Peterborough where people can share their ideas and opinions on municipal projects.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for you to engage with your City,” Mayor Diane Therrien says. “Not everyone has the time or wants to attend formal meetings. With Connect Peterborough, you can share your ideas and opinions, when and where it’s convenient for you.”

Connect Peterborough is mobile responsive, and people can engage with the community from their home computer, tablet or smartphone. The site offers a variety of ways to connect with the City and other members of the community through discussion forums, spaces to post ideas, surveys and interactive maps.

The platform kicks off featuring project pages for the Peterborough Transit study, the City’s 2020 Budget process, and the Official Plan update as well as an interactive map where people can share photos of their favourite fall places in Peterborough. New information and engagement tools can be added to each project as they progress, and new consultation projects will be added over time.

Click here to check it out.

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Winter Farmers’ Market Returns To Peterborough Square

The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is returning to Peterborough Square for the 2019/2020 indoor market season starting this Saturday (November 2nd) and running through April.

The winter market is located at Peterborough Square’s lower level near Princess Gardens. Signage will direct you from all mall entrances to the market location, which is in a newly renovated space this year.

“The location is perfect for a market,” says Julie Fleming from Circle Organic Community Farm. “It’s central, accessible and familiar to everyone. It’s also a warm and welcoming space for families and is fully accessible.”

Parking is free in the mall’s underground parking. Take the blue Galaxy Cinema doors upstairs from the parking garage, exit at the first level doors and you’re right there at the Farmers’ Market.

There is also a Kids’ Zone at the market which has been a huge hit for families. It has toys and other activities happening there while parents enjoy a hot beverage. You can’t go wrong with that.

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It's Going To Be A Really Wet Halloween & High Winds Possible Friday

Ensure your outside Halloween decorations are secure and rain jackets ready, as a special weather statement has been issued for the area with significant rainfall possible Wednesday through Friday afternoon.

Rain is forecast to begin Wednesday afternoon and end by Friday afternoon, with 30 to 50 mm possible. Unfortunately, the heaviest rain is forecast to occur on Thursday evening as the kids head out for Halloween.

File photo by Evan Holt

As well, strong northwesterly to westerly wind gusts of 70 km/h are possible Friday morning into Friday afternoon so you might want to bring in some of those Halloween decorations Thursday night.

Make sure to take extra care if you’re out driving or walking the streets on Halloween, as visibility could be reduced further in the heavy rain.

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Local Digital Startup BiosphereGPS Launches Mobile App To Help Users Explore Southern Ontario’s Environments

Peterborough-based startup BiosphereGPS has launched a mobile app of the same name that encourages users to get away from the daily grind of urban environments and explore the ecosystems around them. The Beta version of the app has officially launched on the App Store.

Entrepreneur Jordan Ahee founded BiosphereGPS in 2018 after years of focusing on the environmental sector. After graduating from Trent University’s Environmental & Life Sciences Program, he worked at the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority as an Environmental Technician, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as an Invasive Species Specialist, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the Science and Research Branch as a Spatial Ecologist.

Jordan Ahee at Peterborough’s Innovation Cluster

The app’s mapping feature shows the distribution of 10 different environment types across Southern Ontario, including Agriculture, Broadleaf, Coniferous, Mixedwood, Shrubland, Grassland, Barren, Urban, Wetland and Water. BiosphereGPS provides a complete view of the landscapes users plan to visit, to help them pick ideal places to explore.

“We spend hours every day staring at our smartphones, swiping through feeds designed to keep us hooked—BiosphereGPS is headed in the opposite direction,” says Ahee.

“I think smartphones can have a huge positive influence on people’s lives,” he adds. “This is a Beta version that we will build on in the coming months. For example, we are currently updating the app so it handles dark mode.”

Not only does the app encourage users to explore nature with maps, it also provides interactive features. Users can take photos in their environment to be rewarded with a series of outdoor exploration awards, from bronze, to silver and gold rankings. The app can be used as a way to reduce stress, increase energy and improve moods.

Ahee joined the Innovation Cluster in 2018 to build the mobile app, working out of the Cluster’s downtown incubator as a full-time digital client. “We are seeking seed stage investment, which will help to develop a pipeline of new features and expand into new markets across North America,” says the entrepreneur of where he wants to take it.

Get the app here, and start exploring with it in nature!

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Peterborough Humane Society Honours Veterans And Animals With New Commemorative Remembrance Day Pins

With Remembrance Day around the corner, Peterborough Humane Society and Ontario SPCA are pleased to announced they once again have commemorative pins available for sale.

They have issued two new commemorative pins to honour the wartime contributions of Canada’s veterans and the animals who stood bravely by their side. $1 from each pin sold is donated to the Royal Canadian Legion to support local veterans.

The Animals in War commemorative pins were launched by the Ontario SPCA in 2017, and a new design has been unveiled each year since its inception.

This year, two new unique pins have been launched. In honour of women in Canada’s military and the animals who have served by their side, a new limited edition commemorative pin is now available. A second pin featuring a dog represents the sacrifice of all animals who served in war. The new designs join the inaugural first edition pin showcasing a horse, which is still available.

“We will always remember the bravery of Canada’s veterans and the animals who stood courageously by their side,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director, Peterborough Humane Society.

A variety of animals have served in wartime: Mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages, and dogs served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers.

The Animals In War pins are available at the Peterborough Humane Society, located at 385 Lansdowne Street East.

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Musician Maxwell McWilliams Playing Show At Market Hall To Raise Funds For PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

Peterborough-based country musician Maxwell McWilliams is headlining a fundraising concert on Saturday, February 29th, 2020 at Market Hall, with proceeds going directly to PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit.

Maxwell McWilliams

“Mental Health is a cause that is close to my heart,” says Maxwell, a Grade 12 student at Lakefield College School who has been performing in the area for several years.

“Mental Health is a topic that is becoming more accepted to talk about, but we’ve got a long way to go,” adds Maxwell, founder of The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness. “My mission is to improve the lives of youth suffering from mental illness”.

Tickets for this all ages event go on sale November 1st. Tickets are $20 each, and are available starting Friday, November 1st through Market Hall. There are also a few Table Sponsorships remaining as well for the show. For further information, email Maxwell here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Fully Promoted, Doo Doo's Bakery & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Signarama Peterborough recently launched a new sister franchise called Fully Promoted. Owner Morgan Smith says the addition of Fully Promoted allows his staff to offer complete branded product and marketing solutions, including everything from corporate apparel and promotional products, to storefront signage, to the pens in your office, and everything in between. Everything is in one location at 774 Rye Street in Peterborough.

Taking the drama out of cleaning, Drama Clean is Charity Stow’s new business. Offering Residential cleaning, deep cleaning for ovens or windows, plus event services for weddings, special events, or preparing to sell your home. For clean you can count on, find Charity Stow at dramaclean.ca.

Congratulations to Lucky Strike Bait Works on their recent 90th anniversary celebration. Frank Edgar started making fishing lures out of old broom handles in 1929. The company is now fourth generation family-owned with 17 employees. luckystrikebaitworks.com

Congratulations to Diane Rogers from Doo Doo’s Bakery in Baileboro. Diane recently took home top honours at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for her famous butter tarts. Taking 1st place in both the Traditional and Special Ingredient categories, the legend of Doo Doo’s continues to grow. Doodoos.ca

Diane Rogers

Nominations are now open for the 5th Annual Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. The deadline for submissions is November 28th, with the induction ceremony to be held May 28th, 2020. Visit jacanada.org/plm for info.

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