Peterborough Humane Society advocates for animals by improving their lives, alleviating suffering, rescuing, providing shelter, healing, facilitating adoption and reducing pet overpopulation. We are the largest animal shelter in Peterborough County and the only open admission shelter.

Being open admission means that we must take in all stray or surrendered companion animals. All animals surrendered to PHS receive the necessary vet care, vaccinations and are spayed/neutered prior to being adopted out to amazing forever homes. We don’t receive any government funding, or funding from any welfare group for this work, and therefore rely on donations from the community.

Peterborough Humane Society was established in 1941, and the previous shelter at 385 Lansdowne Street East, was built in 1956 and was initially designed to serve as a pound. While the previous site served the community well for the past 65+ years, we outgrew the space as we care for more pets than ever before – around 1,600 pets come through our doors annually. On January 17, 2023 we began our move over to our new home at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre at 1999 Technology Drive, Peterborough.

A Canadian First, this innovative Centre is three programs under one roof. A high-volume, Spay and Neuter Clinic, a cutting-edge Dog Rehabilitation Centre and an Education and Adoption Centre.

Promoting responsible pet ownership is central to what we do and we often partner with other animal welfare agencies, such as Humane International, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and other humane societies in the transfer of pets from communities that need assistance in caring for their pets, and rehoming them to loving homes here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.