After more than a decade of planning, the Peterborough Humane Society has moved into its new state-of-the-art animal care centre at 1999 Technology Drive in southeast Peterborough, closing the current 65-year-old facility at 385 Lansdowne Street East effective Saturday (January 14).
Major construction is complete on the new 24,000-square-foot animal care centre, which will house the Peterborough Humane Society’s shelter and adoption and education centre, a regional high-volume spay and neuter clinic to provide affordable spay and neuter services and prevent pet overpopulation, and the Ontario SPCA’s provincial dog rehabilitation centre — the first of its kind in Canada.
Designed by Peterborough-based Lett Architects with construction led by Peak Construction, the new facility — which is four times the size of the Lansdowne Street East building — will also include an aqua therapy pool and underwater treadmill for dog rehabilitation, a family living room to help dogs acclimatize to living in a home environment, and both indoor and outdoor off-leash areas.
Minimal construction and external work at the new $10-million building will continue for a while after the Peterborough Humane Society moves in. It will take several days for the society to relocate to the new facility, which involves moving more than 100 animals as well as 30 staff and preparing the spay and neuter clinic. Along with volunteers and staff, local businesses Auto Connect and McWilliams Moving and Storage are assisting with the move.
A soft opening is expected in mid-February, with a grand opening event planned for the spring.
After the Lansdowne Street East shelter closes on January 14, animal control officers can still be reached at 705-745-7676 ext 656 to handle any animal inquiries (leave a message). Donations can be delivered to the new animal care centre at 1999 Technology Drive, with the “Intakes” entrance located around the back of the new building.
VIDEO: Peterborough Animal Care Centre (December 2022)
The Peterborough Human Society’s current 6,200-square-foot building at 385 Lansdowne Street East was originally built in 1956 as a dog pound. It can no longer support the demands of caring for around 2,000 lost, injured, abandoned, and abused animals that come through the doors annually. In the new facility, animals will have more room and experience less noise and stress, thereby reducing anxiety and giving them a better chance to connect with their adoptive families.
Over 80 per cent of the cost of the new facility has been covered, including $1.68 million in funding from the City of Peterborough, $2 million from Ontario SPCA, $260,000 from PetSmart Charities of Canada, and $50,000 from Community Futures Peterborough. with the remainder made up of donations from businesses, families, and individuals.
Online donations can be made at www.ourpetproject.ca/donate/.
