Peterborough Zoo Offering Guided Tours This Summer

Beginning July 2, the Riverview Park and Zoo will offer pre-booked guided tours of the zoo area announced in a press release on Friday.

Riverview Park and Zoo is the only accredited zoo in Canada with free admission. File Photo.

Like the admission, tours of the zoo are free however donations are strongly encouraged. Families of up to 10 people will be accommodated and booking will be available starting Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. A link will become available on their tour page for bookings at that time.

“We are so excited to welcome guests back for oneway guided treks of the zoo this summer,” said Cathy Mitchell, Program Supervisor. “We are ramping up, hiring staff, training volunteers, putting up barriers to the exhibits and adding more sanitizer stations.”

Riverview Park and Zoo has been operating in Peterborough since 1933. File Photo.

Several zoo amenities remain closed until further notice such as the splash pad, gift shop, snack bar, train ride and picnic shelters. The playground, disc golf course, park areas and park trails remain open for use.

Mitchell urges families to continue social distancing with other patrons and animals as the latter are vulnerable to the virus.

“As we have eight species of animals who are susceptible to COVID-19, we are asking all visitors do their part to protect these animals and remain at a two-metre distance from the animal exhibits at all times while on tours,” she said.

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Local Photographer Captures Late Spring Magic With Nature

PTBOCanada is proud to support all things Peterborough including this wonderful photo gallery by Dave Ellis Photography.

Fox kit happily playing with a stick. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Two fox kits playing tag. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

A sandhill crane family with two young colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Two young sandhill crane colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Sandhill crane colt that could be thinking, “Look mom! I can fly!” Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Fritillary butterflies pollinating. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Male wood duck provides a splash of colour. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Common loon on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Great horned owl with her young ones on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Bald eagle feeding its young chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Osprey feeding its chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Young deer fawn exploring its new world. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Male wild turkey displaying for potential female mates. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

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Construction For New Peterborough Animal Care Centre Set to Begin

The Peterborough Humane Society has begun construction on the Peterborough Animal Care Centre that is the first building devoted to advancing the well-being of animals in a press release on Thursday.

Owen the Griff (pictured) helping with the blueprints of the new facility. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The building will have three facilities in one located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough. The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be home to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption and Education Centre, a publicly accessible Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre through partnering with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Humane Society.

“After almost a decade of planning, we are ecstatic to announce we are breaking ground!” says Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “This Centre is going to be a huge resource for the community. A great deal has changed in the animal wellness world since our current building was constructed over 65 years ago. This new purpose-built facility will not only serve our community through providing accessible spay/neuter services, but also allow the animals under our care to experience less hurdles in getting healthier and happier, thereby setting them up to meet their new family that much sooner.”

A digital rendering of the building’s exterior. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The Spay/Neuter Clinic provides publicly accessible spay/neuter surgeries, allowing up to 25 animals per day to receive their spay/neuter surgery as stated in the press release.

The Provincial 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 a number of unique features including hydrotherapy equipment such as an underwater treadmill for physical rehabilitation and exercise.

A digital rendering of the building’s interior. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

“To see shovels in the ground is a cause for celebration as it means we are one step closer to making this state-of-the-art animal wellness facility a reality,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, chief of Ontario SPCA . “This unique partnership with the Peterborough Humane Society is a major step forward for animals, particularly dogs who have experienced challenges that we can help them overcome at this new facility.”

PHS still needs the community’s support to reach its fundraising goal. To date, $7.5 million of $10 million has been raised. They encourage the community members to help with the project by visiting ourpetproject.ca or ontariospca.ca/dogrehab.

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Local Woman Leaves $741,000 Toward Peterborough's New Animal Care Centre

A Peterborough-area woman, Cynthia (Cyndy) Richards, has left a generous estate gift of $741,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society. The donation will be used towards Our Pet Project, the building campaign for the Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre.

Richards grew up in Peterborough. She spent most of her life working as an X-ray technician, working briefly in Toronto before leaving for Edmonton, Alberta where she lived for most of her career. Living primarily in the country, Richards owned both horses and cats. In 2000, she returned to her family home in Peterborough, bringing both her two horses and cats with her. All of her cats were rescues.

Photo of Cynthia (Cyndy) Richards courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

“Her whole life she had a deep love for animals,” says Pat de Villiers, a long-time friend and Richards’ power of attorney.

Richards was an avid volunteer at the Peterborough Humane Society. "She would come into the shelter, take her coat off, say hi to everyone before starting her day and then she would spend all her time with the cats,” says PHS Animal Care employee, Susan Lashmar, who has worked at the shelter since 2002. “She’d snuggle them, help groom them and loved every minute of it. She would come in as often as she could".

Rendering of new Animal Care Centre courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Richards’ legacy and love for animals will live on as the Centre’s Cat Adoption Program, which will be named the Cynthia Richards Cat Adoption Program in her memory. Her name will also be memorialized with signage in the Cat Adoption areas and on the Centre’s Donor Wall in the Adoption and Education Centre’s lobby. Thanks to Richards’ support, the new Centre will provide each cat with more space and natural light.

The Peterborough Humane Society still needs support to cross the finish line and build its new Centre. Community members interested in learning more on how to leave a gift in their will or making a donation to help build the new Animal Care Centre are encouraged to contact Alex Tindale, Campaign Manager, at a.tindale@ptbohs.com.

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Peterborough Humane Society Launches Commemorative Animals In War Pin Campaign

The Peterborough Humane Society alongside the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has launched its annual Animals in War pin campaign, leading up to Remembrance Day.

The commemorative Animals in War pins feature a dog and horse as symbols to honour the wartime contributions of animals. The pin is intended to be worn as a complement to the poppy in remembrance of our veterans and the animals who bravely served by their side.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Funds from the sale of these pins help provide care for animals in need, as well as support our veterans. Due to the global pandemic, the Peterborough Humane Society has increased its commitment to veterans in 2020 by donating $2.50 from each pin sold to Royal Canadian Legion branches across Ontario.

“We must always remember the sacrifice of the people and animals who have served our country,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society. “We will proudly wear a poppy and Animals in War pin this Remembrance Day as a visible reminder of the courage shown by our veterans and the animals that have always been by their side in times of conflict and times of peace.”

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

The animal on the pin symbolizes the wartime contributions of all animals. 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 have served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers.

To get your pin, contact the Peterborough Humane Society at (705) 745-4722 to make an appointment to come into the office to purchase.

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Riverview Park and Zoo Announce The Death Of Montana, Their Female Bobcat

It is with great sadness that the Riverview Park and Zoo announce the death of Montana, their female bobcat. Montana came to Peterborough from the Toronto Zoo in the summer of 2004. With her beautiful colouring, expressive face and inquisitive nature, Montana was a favourite with many of the zoo’s visitors.  

Montana had been treated for kidney disease for approximately two years and unfortunately she took a turn for the worse on Friday morning (March 6th). Although the Park and Zoo’s Consulting Veterinarian and Animal Health Team responded promptly to provide treatment and care, Montana died later Friday afternoon. Although not unexpected, her death is still a difficult loss for staff as they had formed a close bond with her.

Montana was a very friendly and social animal, and she greatly enjoyed when the Animal Care Staff interacted with her in her exhibit.

She would also often “stalk” Park and Zoo visitors as they approached her exhibit and would frequently preen for attention from the Animal Care Staff.

Montana died during the later afternoon on Friday as a result of complications resulting from end-stage kidney failure. She was almost twenty years old.

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Innovative Pet Licensing Solution Brings New Value To Mandatory Pet Tag Program

Peterborough’s pet licensing season is officially upon us, with renewals due by January 31st. Peterborough Humane Society is reminding the community that this year the licensing process is much easier thanks to its partnership with DocuPet, a social enterprise and the country’s leading provider of pet tag, lost pet recovery, and pet licensing services.

“Peterborough residents no longer have to visit the Humane Society to purchase their pet licences, as the whole process can now be done online by simply visiting peterborough.docupet.com or by calling 1-855-249-1370,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Licensing dogs and cats is mandatory in the City of Peterborough. 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.

The fee for an annual pet licence varies, depending on whether the animal is a dog or cat, and intact or altered, as well as time of year the license was purchased. Senior discounts are also available for residents over the age of 60. Licences are valid until January 31st of the following year.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

“Pet licences are really important for the provision of animal welfare and public safety here in Peterborough,” adds Morey. “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.”

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

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. DocuPet will mail tags and an information package to pet owners within two business days, regardless of how the licence is purchased.

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Newly Expanded Meerkat Exhibit Grand Opening November 23rd At Riverview Park & Zoo

Riverview Park & Zoo (RPZ) has been able to expand its indoor meerkat exhibit by two and a half times its original size with the generous contributions from the community, including the 10th Anniversary Fun Run and a significant donation from 100 Men Peterborough.

Installed in-floor heating, high tech ventilation, improved lighting and new enrichment décor will provide a great indoor environment for the meerkats that call the zoo home this winter.

“It is because of generous community members that we are able to move forward on exhibit expansions and RPZ conservation efforts,” says Jim Moloney, Manager and Curator.

Grateful to all the contributors who made it possible, RPZ is hosting a grand opening of the exhibit on November 23rd. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. This will be your chance to get a closer look at the meerkat family who have been off exhibit temporarily, waiting patiently for their new home to be ready.

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The Ontario SPCA & Peterborough Humane Society Kicks Off iAdopt For Holidays Adoption Campaign

The Ontario SPCA and Peterborough Humane Society is asking you to add a special someone to your holiday list—and family. Give an animal the gift of a loving home during iAdopt for the Holidays, a national adoption campaign to find homes for as many animals as possible during a time of year when families are together and can help their new pet settle in.

iAdopt for the Holidays is a program of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society that runs until December 31 at participating SPCAs, Humane Societies and rescue groups across Canada. Last year, more than 3,600 animals from across Canada found their forever homes during the iAdopt for the Holidays campaign. 

“The holidays are actually a great time to welcome a new furry companion into your life,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Together as a family, you can spend time with your new pet and help them settle into their new home. Our focus is finding the right home for every adoptable animal to help ensure the matches we make are lifetime matches.”

Potential adopters take part in the science-based Meet Your Match® program, which matches their personality and lifestyle with the animals awaiting adoption. The adoption process, which is used at all 12 Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centres across Ontario including Peterborough, helps ensure adopters are going home with their most compatible match. 

All cats and dogs available through the Ontario SPCA are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations and come with a gift of one month of pet insurance.

Animals adopted from the Ontario SPCA or the Peterborough Humane Society during the iAdopt for the Holidays campaign will be entered in a draw for a chance to win free pet food for a year from Royal Canin. 

To change an animal’s life during iAdopt for Holidays, visit iadopt.ca.

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The Zoo Made Quite A Splash For Zoo Otter Splish On His Birthday

For a Riverview Park & Zoo otter named Splish, it was definitely a 13th birthday to remember on Tuesday (October 15th).

Splish is the oldest male otter, and is one of the zoo’s original otters—having come to Riverview in 2007 when they first opened the Otter Exhibit. Zookeepers made a splash for him on his birthday, serving up his fave delights on a platter. 

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

“Zookeepers prepared some special enrichment for him and the other otters to mark the occasion,” Zoo Manager and Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. “They put some small fish out on the floating raft—in the shape of the number 13—and also made coloured ‘fishsicles’ (basically ice blocks with shrimp and smelt in the ice) for them to chew on. One was made in the shape of a birthday cake.”

Moloney adds that they let Splish into the pool exhibit first so could put a dent in his birthday treats before the other otters joined in. “We gave him a head start because the two young pups, Bolt and Lawrence, are so quick to grab up any treats we put out. The birthday boy seemed to love it,” he says.

Photo of Splish courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

The zoo’s animal enrichment program is a vital aspect of their Animal Wellness Plan. “The Zookeepers provide enrichment in a variety of forms for the animals as part of their daily animal care routines,” Moloney adds. “That being said, the Zookeepers do like to keep things fun and this is a great example of their dedication and creativity.”

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