Construction Is Progressing On New Brock Mission

The Brock Mission project is almost out of the ground, Lett Architects says on their Facebook page. The new modern facility is being built by Mortlock Construction on the existing property on Murray Street where the old building was housed, and is slated to open late 2020.

The three-storey building has been designed by Lett Architects around a courtyard with access to natural daylight into every room and corridor. The building will accommodate 31 shelter beds and 15 affordable living units, and also includes a dining hall which will provide three meals a day all year.

Photo via Lett Architects Facebook page

Final layers of insulation are being installed on the foundation walls while backfill is currently still in progress.

The Brock Mission men’s shelter will address concerns around housing and homelessness in Peterborough. The building is taking shape with framing starting mid-December, Lett Architect says. The work is being completed by Mortlock Construction, who are the construction managers on the project.

Photo via Lett Architects Facebook page

Check out renderings of the project here.

Photo via Lett Architects Facebook page

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Popular In From the Cold Holiday Concert Has Been Supporting Peterborough Homeless Youth For Two Decades

John Hoffman, Creator and Director of the well-known In From the Cold concert, has announced that 2019 is the 20th year the concert will be running in Peterborough to raise money for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

This cherished concert started two decades ago with some talented Peterborough musicians looking to perform around the holidays. When deciding on where the proceeds should go, the group decided that youth experiencing homelessness in their community was the most pressing issue. Fast forward to today, and the In From the Cold concert has raised a whopping $130,000 in support of YES.

John Hoffman, Creator and Director of the In From the Cold Concert, with Meagan Hennekam, Executive Director for the YES Shelter

“These local musicians and performers put on an amazing show, and we feel very lucky to benefit from the show year after year,” says Meagan Hennekam, Executive Director of the YES Shelter for Youth and Families. “This year, it comes at a time when we are expanding our youth housing program, so the funds raised will be going directly to housing young people and working to resolve the issues that have caused their housing insecurity.”

In From the Cold is a different kind of Christmas concert, offering an enchanting mix of Celtic-style carols and seasonal songs performed by some of Peterborough’s top folk and roots musicians. Many Peterborough residents attend the concert year after year.

Tickets are general admission ($20 for adults, $15 for students and children) for the shows December 6th and 7th, and are on sale now at Market Hall (140 Charlotte Street).

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Peterborough Paramedics Sign Partnership Agreement With Wounded Warriors Canada

Peterborough County-City Paramedics (PCCP) has announced the signing of a new partnership agreement with Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC), the well-known national mental health charity that provides vital mental health programs to support Veterans, First Responders and their families.

Under the agreement, Peterborough County-City Paramedics will share resources and identify or refer their members in need of mental health support to the programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada.

Photo from Peterborough Paramedics announcement courtesy Wounded Warriors Canada

“Our top priority is the psychological and physical health and safety of our staff,” says PCCP Chief Randy Mellow. “This new partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada will allow us to expand upon on the support network we already have in place to ensure that our paramedics and their families are fully supported at their time of greatest need.”

First Responders are highly trained and skilled professionals who, due to the nature of their work, often face challenging situations that test their physical or mental health and safety. Wounded Warriors Canada’s innovative approach to mental health combines clinical best practices and evidence-informed care to create an environment of compassion, hope and resiliency for participants.

Scott Maxwell from Wounded Warriors and PCCP Chief Randy Mellow signing partnership agreement (Photo courtesy Wounded Warriors Canada)

“This partnership recognizes that no single organization can do it all when it comes to mental health support,” says Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of Wounded Warriors Canada.

“When a First Responder is struggling, what matters is that the member and their family knows that we are in this together—working to ensure they receive the help they so rightly deserve,” Maxwell adds. “We look forward to working with Peterborough County-City Paramedics in the months and years ahead.”

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LLF Lawyers Pledges $25,000 To Peterborough Humane Society Our Pet Project Campaign

Our Pet Project, the Peterborough Humane Society’s campaign to build its first-of-its-kind Animal Care Centre, has received a $25,000 pledge towards the new Centre from Peterborough-based LLF Lawyers.

“We are so excited to be a part of Our Pet Project to build the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre,” says Joe Grant, Associate at LLF, who adopted a dog there five years ago. “We are all animal lovers and have been supporters of the Humane Society for many years. Anyone who has been to the current facility can attest to the great work being done as the largest animal shelter in Peterborough County and the only open admission facility.”

Joe Grant, Associate at LLF, and his dog, Molly, who he adopted from PHS 5 years ago

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) was established in 1941, and the current shelter was built in 1956 and designed initially as a pound. While the current site has served the community well for the last 60-plus years, PHS has outgrown the space and is caring for more animals than ever before.

In the new, purpose-built facility, animals will have more room and will experience less noise and stress, thereby reducing anxiety and setting them up for a greater opportunity to meet their perfect family.

“In addition to what this Centre will do for our four-legged friends, we’re looking forward to the impact it will have on our local and regional economy,” says Bill Lockington, LLF Founding Partner. “By bringing 20 full-time equivalent positions, and impacting 50 jobs in the design and construction, this local project will create needed, meaningful employment and help attract and retain top veterinary talent to Peterborough and the Kawarthas.”

Joe Grant also has a rescue cat, Steve

Designed by Peterborough-based Lett Architects, the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre will sit on 20 acres of land on Technology Drive and will be home to the Humane Society’s new Adoption and Education Centre that will serve as a community hub, while allowing for expansion of the Humane Society’s outreach, education and advocacy programs.

“We are very excited that LLF has made Our Pet Project their pet project too,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at the Peterborough Humane Society. “Our vision is to lead the way in animal welfare in Canada, and this donation takes us another step closer to achieving this goal.”

Fundraising for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre is now well over the halfway mark, with several families and businesses pledging their contributions in the last couple of months.

[Related: 5 Things You May Not Know About PHS; How The New PHS Will Be Gamechanger For Animal Welfare]

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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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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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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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Daylight Saving Time Ends November 3rd

It’s that time of year as Fall back happens on November 3rd—a sure sign of winter.

Remember to turn your clocks back an hour—not forward or you'll be two hours ahead of the rest of us and your life will be confusing.

And don't forget to change your smoke alarm batteries as well!

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$12,631.85 Raised At 9th Annual Bras Around The Building

Pure Country 105, Energy 99.7 and Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre have wrapped up the 9th Annual “Bras Around the Building” Campaign for this year.

For the last four weeks, residents of Peterborough and the Kawarthas have been donating their gently used bras, and many took up collections from family, friends and workplaces for the campaign. More than 6,000 bras were collected from this awesome community.

With the generous contribution of $1 per bra from Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre, along with other monetary donations from local businesses and individuals, the 2019 Bras Around the Building Campaign raised $12,631.85. Funds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

The bras will hang on the Pure Country 105/Energy 99.7 building at 59 George St. N. in Peterborough until Monday, October 28th as a symbol of support for women battling breast cancer, to honour survivors and to remember those who have lost their battle.

The public are encouraged to stop by and take pictures over the weekend.

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