Peterborough Humane Society Launches Inaugural 50/50 Lottery In Honour Of Late Dog Ambassador

On what would have been Ambassador Owen the Griff’s 17th birthday, the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has launched its inaugural 50/50 lottery, announced on Wednesday.

Owen the Griff’s Instagram account has over 114,000 followers and has been succeeded by another dog, Gigi. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Owen was popular through his Instagram account and a vital advocate in PHS fundraising throughout his dog life.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery allows participants to win money while providing financial support at PHS’s Animal Care Centre. In addition to the 50/50, the draw features Owen's ‘Ruff’le, a chance to win two patio chairs valued at over $1,700. 

“We're incredibly excited to launch our first-ever PHS 50/50 Lottery,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “It's a fantastic way for our community to come together and make a difference for animals in need while also having the chance to win beautiful patio chairs through Owen’s ‘Ruff’le.”

The draw will occur on April 17 at 1 p.m. PHS’s social media pages and website will update the public on the 50/50 pot throughout the draw. At the time of this article's publication, the pot was $2,220.

Tickets can be purchased online in packages of 25 for $25, 10 for $10, three for $5 or one for $2.

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Publican House's 'Our Pet Pilsner' Raises Over $8,500 For Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Care Centre

Since its inception in early February of 2022, Publican House’s fundraiser beer ‘Our Pet Pilsner’ has raised over $8,500 for the Peterborough Humane Society and their Animal Care Centre.

Our Pet Pilsner is a 4.5 per cent German-style that won a gold medal at the 2023 Ontario Brewing Awards. pilsner Photo courtesy of Publican House Brewery.

The money was to aid the Humane Society’s move to their new $10 million Animal Care Centre on Technology Drive.

The beer originally raised $5,000 as of May last year. The downtown pub raised another $3,590 and donated the money in another cheque presentation last Friday.

The brewery plans to continue to raise money for the Humane Society throughout 2024.

”With the gold medal recognition at this year's Ontario Brewing Awards, we hope to raise even more in 2024. Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed an Our Pet Pilsner and to the amazing team at the Peterborough Humane Society,” as stated in an Instagram post.

As part of the collaboration, Publican House showcased a pet for adoption from the Humane Society on their social media every month.

The beer label design was created by local artist Jason Wilkins.

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Auto Connect Sales Raises Animal Adoption Awareness During the Holidays With Adopt Advent Calendar

Auto Connect Sales launched an animal adoption awareness campaign during the holidays with an ‘Adopt Advent Calendar’ to help the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) find homes for several pets.

Elias (left) was one of 25 animals showcased in the advent calendar and is having holiday fun with Watson (right). Photo by Mark Dizon.

There were 25 animals from PHS showcased in total, with one animal featured daily on Auto Connect’s Instagram account.

Of all the animals posted, 15 of the 25 pets found homes before Christmas according to a Facebook post.

“We didn’t get these animals adopted. I think the calendar helped get exposure to the Humane Society,” said Cheryl Watson of Auto Connect Sales. “I was very happy that idea was very well received. I think the community liked it.”

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Watson had the idea of starting the calendar after attending a PHS gala. Animals were present at the event for anyone attending to interact with.

“I fell in love with a dog and I couldn’t stop thinking about them,” explained Watson. “I thought I had to get this dog adopted. That was my goal.”

Auto Connect staff met with the animals at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre for a photo shoot for the advent calendar.

“It was such a magical day,” said Watson. “Everybody was having a fantastic time. The Humane Society was so encouraging, supportive and eager to help get this done. It was a perfect joint effort.”

The remaining ten animals that were showcased are still up for adoption.

“Even if we can get one or two animals adopted, it was worth it,” said Watson.

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Peterborough Humane Society Holding Giving Tuesday Campaign For Animal Support

Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is asking the public for donations during Giving Tuesday to help match thousands of animals with loving families announced on Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that takes place each year after Black Friday. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Any donations during the GivingTuesday Campaign have CanadaHelps adding an extra one per cent.

PHS wanted to highlight the story of Twyla and her puppies.

Twyla, a gentle female St. Bernard, was found wandering the streets as a stray by our Animal Control Officers in late August of this summer. She was severely emaciated and neglected; thin and dirty, she was in desperate need of immediate care. Our team swiftly took action and brought her into the Peterborough Animal Care Centre. They were shocked to find she was actively in labour.

Once safely in our care, she gave birth to seven beautiful puppies. Staff gave her babies celestial-themed names: Nova, Galileo, Astro, Celeste, Aurora, Astrid and Halle.

After giving birth, the mom was in a deplorable state and couldn’t produce enough milk for her babies. Staff quickly jumped to action to care for the new pups by bottle feeding and providing around-the-clock care for them to survive. After many weeks of intense care and supervision, the pups were ready to be alone. Volunteers and staff fostered the puppies at their homes during their growth period to give them continuous care and socialization. They went above and beyond to ensure these pups would flourish into wonderful family members.

After months of love, growth and attention, the beautiful puppies went up for adoption and each found their forever homes. Twyla remained in our care to gain weight, heal, and receive all of the enrichment and support we could provide. Once her health improved, she underwent spay surgery at our Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic. Now, Twyla is healthy, happy and ready to find a loving home of her own.

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Part Time CFO Services LLP Donates $50,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Care Centre

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a $50,000 donation from Part Time CFO Services LLP towards the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC).

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“Support from our local businesses like Part Time CFO, means the world to us here at PHS,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “This donation helps us provide more programs and services which in turn helps animals and people in our local community.”

“Part Time CFO Services LLP is committed to giving back to the areas where we live and work via sponsorships, volunteer work, and donations,” said Tim McLaren, CFO director of finance. “Our team members are dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.”

As a result of the donation, PACC’s main reception desk has been named in recognition of CFO and will be identified on the Donor Wall in the lobby.

“Our new Centre allows us to serve more people than ever; we now have a welcoming space where the community can join us,” said Morey. “Everyone who comes through our doors either needs help for their animals or wants to help animals in need, and now we have a space where we can do it all.”

The PHS is in the latest stage of the capital campaign to raise the final $3 million of its $13 million goal for ‘Our Pet Project.’ The rest of the money will help in expanding services and improving animal wellness according to a press release.

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Hometown PTBO: Shawn Morey and the Peterborough Animal Care Centre In Need of Finding Homes For Their Surplus of Animals

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society executive director, about the surplus of animals at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre and seeking anyone to adopt them.

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PTBOCanada's #PetLovePTBO Campaign Raises $4,000 For the Peterborough Animal Care Centre

After community support from PTBOCanada’s #PetLovePTBO campaign, $4,000 was raised and donated to the Peterborough Animal Care Centre in a cheque presentation at the facility on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Shawn Morey, PHS executive director; Si Grobler, donor relations manager, Hermione and Kirtus Evoy, PTBOCanada owner. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“It's community helping community,” said Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) executive director. “It's all about us working with our local community to continue the spread of wellness from an animal perspective so it's greatly appreciated all the way through.”

The campaign started in November last year, where toques (men's and women’s) and dog toys were sold to raise funds. This was two months before the PHC moved into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC).

men’s/women’s toques and dog chew toys were sold as part of the #PetLovePTBO campaign. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

To date, the PACC has received $10 million in donations. Most of them were from the community and $1,560,500 from the provincial government in April. The Centre is still seeking another three million to help fund community programs, services and enhanced animal care.

“We'll have the ability to expand outwards, doing more outreach, more community service support, provide better opportunities from a care-enhancement perspective that we want to do for animals within our care,” explain Morey. 

The PACC’s grand opening occurred in late June and they immediately felt the impact of the community’s needs since relocated to Technology Drive. The shelter has a surplus of dogs available for adoption and is a crisis for PACC as they are seeking homes for them.

“With the number of animals we're getting calls for surrenders and strays coming into our care, our demand for services has grown by over 105 per cent since the second we walked in here,” said Morey. “It's timely, we need this building to provide these services, provide the care and wellness that we were able to do so but we are in a bit of a crisis mode.”

There are 42 dogs available for adoption but the PACC has a capacity for 36. They are currently not accepting surrenders but will still take in strays. Dog adoptions are by appointment only and can call 705-745-4722 x 201 to set one up.

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Peterborough Police K9 Unit Places Top Five In Multiple Events At Canadian Police Dog Championship Trials

Peterborough Police Service K9 Unit’s Issac and Gryphon made the top five in several events in the 2023 Canadian Police Dog Championship Trials in Barrie that finish on Saturday.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) PC Dillon Wentworth, Police Service Dog Gryphon, PC Bob Cowie & Police Service Dog Isaac. pHOTO COURTESY OF THE pETERBOROUGH pOLICE sERVICE.

Police Constable Bob Cowie and Isaac placed fourth in drug detection while Police Constable Dillon Wentworth and Gryphon placed fifth in drug detection and fourth in building searches. 

“There is a considerable amount of training that goes into ensuring Isaac and Gryphon are ready to serve the community,” said Cowie. “It was a great experience to be able to learn and compete with the best in the country.”

“We would like to thank all of the supporters of the unit for their kind words,” said Wentworth. “It was wonderful to know that the community was cheering us on throughout the week.”

The competition ran from Last Tuesday to Saturday, featuring 39 K9 teams including OPP, RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency. It was the first time the trials had been held in Ontario and with the Peterborough Police Service in attendance.

“Without a doubt, the residents of Peterborough, Lakefield, and Cavan-Monaghan can rest assured that their K9 Officers are some of the best in the country and we are proud of their hard work and accomplishments,'“ said Chief Stuart Betts. “I am impressed with the handler’s dedication to public safety and using the Police Service Dogs as an appropriate tool in that endeavour.”

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Riverview Park and Zoo Beloved 10-Year-Old Capybara Pablo Passes Away

Pablo, the beloved capybara of Riverview Park and Zoo has passed away according to staff in a press release sent out on Wednesday morning.

File Photo.

The 10-year-old capybara arrived from the Toronto Zoo in 2015.

The Animal Health Team had been monitoring Pablo closely as his health had started to deteriorate. The consulting veterinarian and Animal Health Team provided treatment and care promptly, Pablo passed away Tuesday morning. He died from complications arising from several age-related conditions according to a press release.

The park released this statement regarding Pablo’s passing:

“Pablo was loved greatly by both our visitors and staff… …We would like to thank our staff and Dr. John Sallaway for their assistance with Pablo’s ongoing treatment and care. Pablo will be greatly missed by our community. The Park and Zoo would like to extend their gratitude for the public’s continuous support and appreciation of Pablo.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives $50,000 Donation From Miskin Law Towards Animal Care Centre

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is one step closer to its capital campaign goal as local law firm, Miskin Law, has donated $50,000 towards the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) announced on Wednesday.

(Front row) Miskin Law Lawyers Daniel Miskin, Chris Goddard, Murray Miskin with dogs and ED (back row) Shawn Morey. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

“We are so grateful for our incredible local businesses, like Miskin Law, that go above and beyond to support our organization’s evolving mission to provide more programs and services for animals and people in our community,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

As a result of the donation, a dedication ceremony of the PACC’s Boardroom recognized Miskin Law, being identified on an outside bench and on the Donor Wall located in the Centre’s lobby.

“We are so happy to be here, with our beloved pets, to celebrate the new facilities. Today, and only today, this room belongs to our dogs,” said Murray Miskin, Miskin Law founder. “We know that the Boardroom will be a great community resource and will help Peterborough Humane Society staff day to day in getting their vital work done.”

“The PACC’s Adoption and Education Centre, including spaces like the Boardroom will allow us to expand our services,” said Morey. “We are able to not only offer more opportunities to our staff but also provide a community space for individuals, local businesses and service groups looking to rent out a space for meetings and functions.”

The Peterborough Humane Society launched its latest stage of the capital campaign known as ‘The Home Stretch’ to raise the final $3 million needed to meet the $13 million goal for the Our Pet Project.

Completing the final fundraising campaign will allow PHS to focus on expanding services and improving animal wellness according to a press release. Information on the new Centre and the fundraising campaign can be found on www.ourpetproject.ca

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