A Toronto-based donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently pledged $50,000 to Our Pet Project – Peterborough Humane Society’s campaign to build a first-of-its-kind new Animal Care Centre, right here in Peterborough.

“When we heard that the Peterborough Humane Society is going to be building a new state-of-the-art facility, we jumped at the opportunity to help out,” the couple said. They were inspired to give because of their love of pets and what the Centre will bring to Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“Like everyone on the planet, we LOVE our pets! Our wish is that all pets should receive nothing but the best care and a loving home, and this centre will be a massive step toward that goal. We look forward to seeing the Peterborough Animal Centre becoming a reality.”

In addition to this gift, the Humane Society has received generous contributions from local families and businesses. There has also been a significant investment of $1.68 million from the City of Peterborough, and $2 million from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. This takes its Our Pet Project campaign well over the halfway mark in reaching its $10 million fundraising goal.

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 a Canadian first, setting the standard for animal shelters in Canada. The purpose-built facility will house the Humane Society’s new Adoption and Education Centre, which is designed with animals’ well-being in mind, providing more space, natural light and less stress. The space will be open and inviting, serving as a community hub and allowing for expansion of the Humane Society’s outreach, education and advocacy programs, including plans for future youth programming and educational partnerships with both Trent University and Fleming College.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will also be home to Canada’s first Provincial Dog Rehab Centre (in partnership with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society), and the region’s only High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic. The Humane Society anticipates that over 5,000 animals will benefit from this service each year, reducing the number of unwanted pets in our province, supporting other local rescue groups and helping animals become available for adoption sooner. Similar spay/neuter clinics in Barrie and Newmarket see families drive as far as 3 hours each way to make use of this much-needed service. The new Peterborough Animal Care Centre will draw people to Peterborough from surrounding areas, boosting tourism and the economy as pet owners spend time at local restaurants and shops while they wait for their pet to recover from surgery.

Shawn Morey, Executive Director at the Peterborough Humane Society explains that “pet owners will drop off their dog or cat first thing, around 8:00 a.m., and will then pick up their pet later that afternoon. In the meantime, they can visit local restaurants and shops, or run errands and see what the beautiful city of Peterborough has to offer.”

Morey goes on to share how this recent boost to their fundraising will impact Our Pet Project. “This $50,000 gift gets us one step closer to building our greatly needed new Centre. We, however, continue to need the support of individuals and our community to reach our goal and make this vision to lead the way in animal welfare, a reality. I encourage people to join us and make this their Pet Project.”