Peterborough Humane Society Issues Virtual Challenge For Shelter Needs Fundraiser

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is calling the community to participate in the month-long “Strutt Your Mutt” fundraiser all September to help raise funds for animals in need announced Monday.

A puppy showing affection to Emily Craigen. Funds raised from Strutt, support greatest shelter needs as well as special programs such as the Milo Fund and Safe Nights for Pets (SnooPy) program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.

Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.

“One benefit to a virtual event is that people and animals that don’t like crowds could participate from a distance,” said Emily Craigen, PHS’s communications and development coordinator.

There are roughly 115 animals that are housed at the PHS. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 that will go towards providing essential vaccines, veterinary care, food and socialization of the hundreds of animals that come to PHS according to their press release.

“Don’t let the name “Strutt your Mutt” mislead you,” says Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We’re calling on all community members, pet owner or not, cat and dog lovers alike. We want to get folks active while supporting our four-legged friends.”

PetSmart often takes PHS animals to their store for display to be available for adoption. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Not only does doing this benefit the animals at the PHS but is a way to improve your own physical health according to Craigen.

“One of our participants in last year’s event lost 15 pounds through her evening walk with her daughter and their family dog,” she explained.

Registration has begun with the challenge taking place from Sept. 1 to 30. To sign up or donate, visit the Strutt Your Mutt website.

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VIP Guest Aids in "Ground-Digging" Ceremony for New Animal Care Centre

“Thor” the dog along with a small group gathered together at the future site of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre for a tour and to celebrate the facility’s construction progress on Monday.

Thor with officials from the humane society, the city and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. Photo Courtesy Of Peterborough Humane Society.

Construction began in early May at 1999 Technology Dr. but COVID restrictions prevented a traditional groundbreaking ceremony.

$7.6 million of $10 million has been raised for the new animal facility.

The building has created roughly 50 construction jobs with 20 full-time jobs upon its completion according to the press release. Construction completion is expected by December 2022.

“Thor is a perfect example of how the new Centre will impact the lives of animals in need,” says Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society executive director. “He’s unneutered and waiting to get a spot for his surgery before he can be adopted. With backlogs at veterinary and spay/neuter clinics throughout the region, animals like Thor wait weeks or even months to get in for surgery.”

The ground-digging ceremony for the new Animal Care Centre that started construction in May. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The Centre will include the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption and education centre, a publicly accessible spay and neuter clinic and a provincial dog rehabilitation centre.

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Local Business Owner Makes Large Donation to Humane Society

Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance owner has donated $100,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society’s construction of their new animal care centre according to a press release on Thursday.

Peter Blodgett sits with his dog Lexie. Blodgett owns Darling Insurance in the Peterborough, Lakefield and Omemee locations. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The building is located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough where construction began in May.

"Truthfully, I'm allergic to all animals, but I have been involved in the farm community throughout my life and have a great appreciation for animals big and small." Peter shares "I've been observing the work of the Peterborough Humane Society and the positive impact they are making in our community over the past few years and wanted to get behind their mission.”

Blodgett, President of Darling Insurance, has made a generous gift of $100K to the Our Pet Project fundraising campaign for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the Peterborough Humane Society’s innovative animal wellness facility which broke ground at 1999 Technology Dr. last month.

Blodgett is well known for supporting charitable causes in the community. He is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise nearly $2 million dollars for Kawartha Food Share over the past 20 years. He has also served on many boards, including Peterborough Musicfest and chairing Fairhaven long-term care home’s capital campaign.

Blodgett has been a long-standing supporter of charities as he is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise over $2 million for Kawartha Food Share in the past 20 years. He has been board member for several organizations including Peterborough Musicfest and Capital Campaign for Fairhaven.

“Peter has been a wonderful friend and supporter of the Peterborough Humane Society for years but this recent donation truly has us humbled,” says Shawn Morey, PHS Executive Director. “The fact that he recognizes the value of our new Centre and what it will do for Peterborough & the Kawarthas is phenomenal. It’s individuals like Peter who make this community as strong as it is.”

In recognition of the donation, the lounge in the Adoption Centre Lobby of the new Centre will be named the “Peter D. Blodgett Darling Insurance Lounge.”

This contribution has now totalled $7.6 million of the $10 million fundraising goal.

For more information or to donate to the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, visit www.ourpetproject.ca.

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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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Conservation Centre Ready For Another Year to Help Injured Turtles

As we get to embrace spring weather, turtles are emerging everywhere and are at risk of being injured.

Dr. Sue Carstairs (pictured) graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife. She completed Ontario Veterinary College in 1987 following her degree. Photo Courtesy Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, a local charity, is getting prepped for another busy season. The Peterborough turtle hospital is the only one in the province and admits approximately 1,000 turtles a year.

If you see an injured turtle in Ontario, you can contact the centre to get the it transported from one of 900 volunteer drivers across the province or bring it in yourself.

When fishing, do not leave behind hooks, especially with bait as it can hurt them according to Carstairs. Photo Courtesy Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

A common injury is from being run over by vehicles, the second biggest threat to turtles after habitat loss. Dr. Sue Carstairs gives tips on how to help turtles cross the road if you encounter them while driving.

“Pull over and put on your flashers,” she said. “Pick it up and move it in the direction it’s heading. Don’t cross unless it’s safe.”

It can take a snapping turtle 60 years to produce enough eggs to be able to replace itself. Photo Courtesy Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

Turtle conservation is important for the environment since they help with wetlands maintenence. 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.

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.

Turtles given to the centre stay there for a minimum of 8-12 weeks before being released into the wild. Photo Courtesy Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

There are eight different turtle species in Ontario: Spotted, Blanding’s, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Wood, Eastern Musk, Northern Map, Snapping and Painted.

Carstairs has been given the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, in February last year.

All donations can be made at the centre’s official website.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives Donation for Animals In Need

Several future pets get a boost as the Peterborough Humane Society received a $3,000 donation from DocuPet announced on Monday.

Pet licensing is mandatory and must be renewed annually according to the Humane Society. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

DocuPet, a pet licensing company, has been the official pet licensing partner of the PHS. Pets can get their tags at the animal shelter to help lost animals be returned to their owners faster and easier.

“These funds will help support our mission and provide essential care and services to the thousands of animals we see each year,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Our goal is to increase pet licensing compliance within the City, and with the support of DocuPet and responsible pet owners in our great City, this generous donation is made possible”.

DocuPet has over 170 unique pet tag styles. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

Twenty per cent of all designer tag sales purchased from DocuPet go towards the Peterborough Humane Society according to the press release.

PHC encourages valid pet tags since those animals spend little to no time at all at the shelter. That opens up valuable time, space and resources for local animals in need and the dedicated staff that serves them.

Sixty per cent of pet shelter funding comes from license sales but that just 13% of pet owners comply with mandatory registration laws according to DocuPet. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The Peterborough Humane Society cares for approximately 2,000 homeless, stray, injured and abused animals each year.

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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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Nexicom Commits $126,000 To Our Pet Project Campaign To Build New Animal Care Centre

Nexicom has announced its commitment of $126,000 to Our Pet Project, the Peterborough Humane Society’s campaign to build the new Animal Care Centre, and will sponsor the Centre’s Adoption Technology Hub.

“2020 has been a rough year for all of us but one thing that stands out is the impact our pets have on our lives—whether it’s keeping us fit through daily walks or being that constant companion that provides unconditional love and improves our mental health,” says Julie Howe, Sales & Marketing Manager at Nexicom. “We’re so proud to be partnering with the Humane Society and we challenge other businesses in town to think outside of the box of how they can help to build this Animal Care Centre for our community.”

Photo from announcement at future site of Animal Care Centre courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Designed by Peterborough firm, Lett Architects, the Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre will sit on nearly 20 acres of land at 1999 Technology Drive. It will be home to the Humane Society’s Adoption and Education Centre that will serve as a community hub, and allow for expansion of their outreach, education and advocacy programs.

The Adoption Technology Hub, powered by Nexicom, will provide in-person and online visitors the opportunity to view animals available for adoption and to complete their adoption application online. Computer terminals will be located in the main lobby of the facility’s Adoption & Education Centre.

The new Centre will also be home to the region’s only High Volume Spay and Neuter Clinic providing accessible services to our community, and Canada’s first Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre in partnership with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

“The new Peterborough Animal Care Centre will set a new standard for animal wellness in Canada and we are excited to have amazing corporate partners, like our friends at Nexicom, who share our vision for the future of our community and its pets.” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at the Peterborough Humane Society.

Our Pet Project, the campaign to build the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, has raised over $7 million towards their $10 million goal and is looking for local businesses and animal lovers to help them cross the finish line and get their Centre built.  

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Local Couple Gives $100,000 To Build Peterborough Humane Society’s New Animal Care Centre

Judy and Gord Atkins, a local couple who reside on Chemong Lake, are giving $100,000 to help build the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre.  

Judy—a retired educator who knows first-hand the importance of teaching young people about animal welfare—and Gord, a local business owner who along with his brother previously owned the Peterborough Hyundai and Subaru dealerships as well as the Kia franchise, are proud to call Peterborough County home and give back to their community.

Judy and Gord Atkins (Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society)

When they were first approached by Chris White, a long-time volunteer board member with the Peterborough Humane Society as well as Chair of their Capital Campaign, the Atkins knew that this was a worthy project.

“We knew it was something we could get behind,” says Gord. “We have both always been close to animals, growing up with pets in our families, and having had three amazing golden retrievers since we’ve been married.”

In recognition of this tremendous gift, the Humane Society will name the Humane Education space in their new Adoption & Education Centre the “Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education Room”.

Maggie & Ruby, two of the three dogs that have been a big part of Judy and Gord’s family over the years (Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society)

“We’re so grateful for Gord and Judy’s generous support,” says PHS Executive Director Shawn Morey. “With their $100,000 contribution, we will be able to expand our educational programming and create the Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education room to host educational workshops, summer camps, corporate retreats, and even birthday parties for young animal advocates.”

This gift combines the Atkins’ passion for both education and animal welfare. Judy was a principal for 15 years and led her school’s annual fundraiser which would always cumulate with three lucky children helping to purchase items off of the Humane Society’s Wish List and delivering it to the shelter where they would learn how to care for animals and meet the dogs, cats and bunnies available for adoption.

With over $6.6 of their $10 million goal secured for the Animal Care Centre, this gift gets PHS one step closer to building this much needed Centre. Construction on the 20-acre plot of land they own at 1999 Technology Drive was slated to start this Fall, but in light of the pandemic they’re now planning to start as soon as funding and government regulations allow.

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Meet Johnny Arnold, The Cat With A Unique Heart Marking Who Has Filled Huge Void In Peterborough Woman's Life

When her rescue dog Jake died tragically in his 14th year on June 7th, Peterborough’s Anne Arnold wasn’t sure whether she would bring another pet into her life. “I wasn’t in a position to bring in a new puppy or dog and wasn’t even sure at the time if I wanted a new pet in my life,” Arnold tells PTBOCanada.

See, Jake had filled such a huge void for Arnold after her late husband Gord passed away and had become an amazing buddy to her. How could she possibly replace her beloved Jake with another pet? How could that pet fill the void and live up to Jake?

After a few weeks, Arnold began to have a change of heart. “I kept looking online for a kitten and during Covid they were very hard to find. I saw Johnny on Friday, July 3rd on the Peterborough Humane Society website and just had to have him. He was so cute and looked like he could use a friend.”

So Anne adopted him, or more like perhaps he adopted her. Whatever the case, serendipity is a beautiful thing and they have quickly become best friends.

Johnny Arnold has filled a special place, a void, in Anne’s heart. “He has definitely stolen my heart,” she says. “He is such a sweetie, loves being cuddled and is very inquisitive.” He is also incredibly playful: “He loves to play hide and seek, and loves to hide his toys so I can seek to find them.”

Anne and Johnny

What also makes Johnny Arnold unique is his heart marking, which is getting more and more prominent—some might suggest from all the love he gets from Anne. (It all depends on how you look at life and love.)

“You can see that he does have a few different markings and it wasn’t till a week or so later after I adopted him that one started developing into a heart, and it continues to grow and be prominent,” Arnold says.

The way Anne see it, “Johnny’s heart could be from Jake or even part of Gord to make sure I am alright.”

One thing’s for sure: The world needs a lot of love right now, and Johnny Arnold and his bestie Anne give us some sense of hope that love and empathy wins.

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