Local Couple Gives $100,000 to Build the Peterborough Humane Society’s New Animal Care Centre
Judy and Gord Atkins, a local couple residing on Chemong Lake, recently announced that they are giving $100,000 to help build the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre.
Judy, a retired educator knows first-hand the importance of teaching young people about animal welfare and Gord, a local business owner, are proud to call Peterborough County home and give back to their community. When they were first approached by Chris White, a long-time volunteer board member with the Peterborough Humane Society as well as Chair of their Capital Campaign, the Atkins knew that this was a worthy project and something they wanted to support. Gord goes on to explain: “We knew it was something we could get behind. We have both always been close to animals, growing up with pets in our families, and having had three amazing golden retrievers since we’ve been married.”
In recognition of this tremendous gift the Humane Society will name the Humane Education space in their new Adoption & Education Centre the Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education Room. Executive Director Shawn Morey was elated with the news and shares, “We’re so grateful for Gord and Judy’s generous support. With their $100,000 contribution we will be able to expand our educational programming and create the Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education room to host educational workshops, summer camps, corporate retreats, and even birthday parties for young animal advocates. With over $6.6 of our $10 million goal secured each and every gift gets us one step closer to building this much needed Centre.”
There are so many groups in need of funding in our community. When asked why they chose to give to the Humane Society, Judy and Gord shared “Animals don’t have a voice. We wanted to give a voice to those that don’t have one, and help out animals in need in our local community”
Judy goes on to add that “Gord and I chose to sponsor the Humane Education Space in the new Centre to teach children how to treat animals and that a pet is a part of your family. We think that is so important for not just children, but for everybody to learn and understand”
Like many animal lovers throughout our community, the Atkins can’t wait until shovels are in the ground over on Technology Drive, and look forward to the time when they can visit the new state-of-the-art Centre and volunteer their time there.
The Peterborough Humane Society was projecting to start construction on the 20-acre plot of land they own at 1999 Technology Drive this Fall. In light of the pandemic, they’re now planning to begin construction as soon as funding and government regulations allow and look forward to keeping the community up to date on their progress.
