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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Peterborough Police Service Facility Dog Pixie Turns Six

Peterborough Police Services first-ever facility dog Pixie turns six on Wednesday.

Screenshot from Pixie’s official Instagram account.

A facility dog is a professionally trained dog that provides emotional support to people experiencing trauma and stress, including at police stations and court houses.

Pixie, a Labrador cross trained and accredited by National Service Dogs of Canada, came to the Peterborough Police Services in January 2020.

Often Pixie can be found providing support to victims during police interviews, accompanying victims ton court, at crime scenes and in plenty of meetings.

In an Instagram post to Pixies account Peterborough Police Service workers wrote ‘Pixie thank you for bringing calmness, love and patience to our often chaotic and traumatic work. You are so loved by all Peterborough Police.’

Photo courtesy of Pixie’s Instagram account.

Pixie and her team keep the community updated on her work via her Instagram account @ptbopolicek9pixie.

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Riverview Park And Zoo Otter Twins Boldt And Lawrence Turn Four

Twin otters Boldt and Lawrence at Riverview Park and Zoo turn four on Tuesday.

In captivity River otters have a life expectancy of about 25 years. Photo courtesy of RPZ.

Both male otters came to RPZ in 2019 from the Aquatarium in Brockville.

They joined two river otters already living at the zoo, Splish and Melissa.

RPZ’s outdoor otter exhibit opened in 2007 and has two pools, a waterfall and a slide, as well as outdoor land areas for the animals to roam, play and hide.

The boys celebrated their birthday in their icy cold pool at the zoo.

River otters have two layers of fur that protect them from cold water.

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Peterborough Animal Care Centre Recieves $260,000 Grant From PetSmart Charities of Canada

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Humane Society received a $260,000 grant for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

PetSmart Charities of Canada donated the grant. The 24,000 sq. ft. Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be home to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption & Education Centre and Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic as well as the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre.

Construction is well underway and slated to be completed at the end of 2022. Fundraising is ongoing and PetSmart Charites of Canada’s support moves both PHS and the Ontario SPCA even closer to their goal.

PHS will use grant funds to purchase medical equipment required for the regional high-volume spay/neuter clinic within the new centre. The Spay/Neuter Clinic (which will serve the public as well as other animal rescue organizations) will provide up to 25 surgeries a day, helping 5,000 pets and their families each year according to the PHS.

"PetSmart Charities of Canada has been a phenomenal partner on this journey to the new centre,” shares Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Their support brings us that much closer to being able to raise the bar in animal care in our community and beyond.”

$75,000 of the grant will go towards the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. The 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 several unique features, including a real family living room to help dogs practice living in a home environment.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada to help bring the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre to reality,” says Dr. Stephanie Black, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society chief veterinary officer. “Once complete, this centre will fill a critical and significant gap in current services by addressing the individualized needs of dogs most difficult to adopt.”

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

“We recognize the need for accessible health and wellness services for pets, which is why we are excited that the new Animal Care Centre will help bring those services to the Peterborough community,” says Dani LaGiglia, PetSmart Charities of Canada senior community grants manager. “Not only will the centre help more pets find homes, but it will help more pets receive the care they need to support their health and well-being.”

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Riverview Park And Zoo Mourns The Loss Of Ferrari The Two-Toed Sloth

Riverview Park and Zoo announced the death of Ferrari the male two-toed sloth, on Tuesday.

Ferrari came to the Park and Zoo from the Calgary Zoo in the summer of 2013, following the Calgary flood.

The Animal Heath Team had been monitoring him closely as his condition had started to deteriorate somewhat. He then took a sudden turn for the worse and unfortunately passed away.

Ferrari died from the complications arising from several age-related conditions. He was thirty-two years old.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives Over $20,000 On Betty White's Birthday

The Peterborough Humane Society received $20,376 in donations on Monday in celebration of Betty White’s birthday.

Getty Images.

White, an American actress, comedian and animal rights advocate, passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 99.

To honour her legacy fans started an international campaign called the #BettyWhiteChallenge. The campaign encouraged people to donate money to their local animal shelters to celebrate the icons 100th birthday on Monday.

By Tuesday morning PHS had announced that they had received $20,376 with more donations still incoming.

“It has absolutely knocked our socks off at PHS. To know that we are one of thousands of animal shelters across the country, and world, that are feeling the positive impact from this social media movement,” said Emily Craigen, communications and development coordinator at PHS. “I mean, Betty White was already this beloved cultural icon and to have this movement come to life that benefits animals in need around the globe, it's inspiring.”

In addition to the PHS receiving generous donations from community members, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society announced on social media that they received over $9,000 on donations on Monday.

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Local Veterinary Clinics Band Together During New Years Eve Emergency

Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital and Norwood Veterinary Clinic stepped in to take the pressure off Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic, who had reached capacity and were forced to close their doors to pets that needed care, on New Year’s Eve.

Dr. Kristy Hiltz. Photo courtesy of Sherbrooke Heights Animal Clinic.

When Stacey MacPherson, a registered veterinary technician (RVT) at Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital, saw KVEC’s post on Facebook stating they were at capacity she knew she had to do something.

She sent a message in the SHAH group chat, and her co-workers felt the same.

Dr. Kristy Hiltz, SHAH, got in contact with KVAC and they quickly worked out a plan.

“Stacey said ‘What do we do? How can we help?’,” said Hiltz. “I said ‘If they ask us to take any patients, do we have anyone that would be willing to do that?’ and immediately I had another veterinarian and two technicians volunteer and say ‘we’re in.’.”

Within an hour of MacPherson bringing the problem to her co-workers attention, SHAH was open and ready to take on patients at 5:30 p.m.

“I was super proud of my staff. First of all that Stacey called it to our attention and for Dr. Sarah and Jill and Stacey for stepping up and coming in to work - even after working a full week. This was supposed to be their day off.”

Norwood Veterinary Clinic also stepped in to provide relief for KVAC. Dr. Hiltz notes that this is not the first time veterinarians in Norwood have offered help to other clinics.

“Kudos to Dr. Scott in Norwood. I will say this is not the first time she’s stepped up to offer help, just out of the goodness of her heart,” said Dr. Hiltz. “There’s definitely veterinarians out there who will see the greater need and respond to that need, and that’s what they did.”

Dr. Hiltz says that this emergency on New Year’s Eve highlighted the crisis going on in the veterinary world right now.

“This is a part of a really big crisis we’re seeing Canada-wide. We don’t have enough veterinarians or veterinary staff. The need, especially during COVID, increased dramatically and that just put so much pressure on people who are already over worked.”

She notes that mental health in those working in the industry in declining.

“We have veterinarians and support staff who are burning out, there’s an association now for suicide prevention in veterinarians and techs and that’s not a good thing.”

Dr. Hiltz does not have an immediate solution for the issues the veterinary world is facing right now. She says that the emergency on New Years Eve was resolved because of caring staff that were physically and mentally able to work, but that may not always be the case.

“People need to balance their physical and emotional health with the work that required. I think it’s mirroring what’s going on in human medicine. As much as we talk about a crisis in veterinary medicine and being over-worked, I think about the crisis they’re experiencing and my heart goes out to them. It’s hard to say no when someone needs help - whether it’s a person or a little furry creature.”

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