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

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.”

All photos by Felicia Massey.

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

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.

Photos courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

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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Ontario SPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Unit Rolls Into Peterborough

In partnership with the Peterborough Humane Society, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is bringing its SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services Unit to Peterborough this week for a three-day spay/neuter clinic to help reduce pet overpopulation.

The 38-foot SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services Unit will be stationed outside the Peterborough Humane Society from November 24th to November 26th. Appointments were pre-booked through the Peterborough Humane Society and a total of 75 cats are scheduled to be spayed or neutered during the clinic. That translates into an estimated 4,600 potentially unwanted kittens that will be prevented. 

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

The mobile clinic marks the fourth of the year for the SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services Unit. After careful consideration and research to determine the safest way to resume mobile spay/neuter services during COVID-19, the Ontario SPCA has resumed operations with new limited contact procedures in place. Animals are picked up and dropped off in a safe curbside process overseen by staff at all times.

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

“We look forward to working with the Peterborough Humane Society on this important initiative in their community, and we would like to thank pet parents who have taken the important step to have their furry friends spayed or neutered,” says Jennifer Bluhm, Acting Chief, Animal Protection Services, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society in bringing this much-needed mobile service into our community,” adds Shawn Morey, Executive Director, Peterborough Humane Society. “Hosting accessible spay/neuter services is vital to help reduce pet overpopulation in our community, and serves as a sample of the permanent services we will be hosting within our new Peterborough Animal Care Centre. We are so thrilled to be able to bring this service to our community." 

To learn more about SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services, or to make a donation to help stock the unit with medical supplies and cover operating costs, visit Ontariospca.ca/mobileservices.

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The Amazing Story Of Layla Who Was Adopted From Peterborough Humane Society

Layla

We asked for your Humane Society adoption stories and here's a great one we received from pet owner Jessica Bushey...

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In the fall of 2005, I went on a mission to find a dog to adopt from the Peterborough Humane Society. I chose the Humane Society because I wanted to help out an animal in need, and because the Humane Society has helped me on several occasions. I've had their assistance with lost dogs, dogs left in cars—even when I accidentally hit a cat, they came and gave the cat medical care and provided me with updates until the cat got adopted.

When I arrived at the Humane Society, I looked at all the dogs, wanting to take them all home. I did, however, fall in love with one in particular. She was a stray and had just been brought in. I was not able to adopt her right away as they had to check her over and try to find her owner. I went every day to visit and walk her, knowing that she may have a family looking for her. On the third day, I got a phone call from the Humane Society telling me to come in. They told me I could take her home early since she was so scared being there (the noise of the other dogs barking).

She literally crawled out of the building, but once we were outside she stood up and her tail started to wag. I knew instantly I had done the right thing.

I've had Layla for eight years, and am blessed that I found such a wonderful dog. She works as a therapy dog for the people I support, and is sometimes known as "Liftlock Layla" because she also works at the Liftlock golf course chasing the geese off the course for the golfers.

She's not only touched my life, but many lives. And I have the Peterborough Humane Society to thank for their support through the adoption process and their compassion for keeping animals like Layla safe until they find their forever home.

—Jessica Bushey is Outcomes Facilitator for Community Living Peterborough

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If you have an adoption story from the Humane Society you want to share with us, we'd love to hear your story about why you did and what pet you chose—along with picture(s). Email us here.

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