Bentley the dog and Stella the cat named co-pet mayors for a day

The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes is proud to announce the successful completion of its first-ever Pet Mayor for a Day Campaign, a community-driven fundraising initiative in partnership with Kawartha Lakes Wellness Warriors.

All pet candidates featured in the campaign were adopted from the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, highlighting the life-changing impact of adoption and the important role pets play in our community.

The campaign invited the public to vote for their favourite candidate, with each vote costing $5 and submitted through hskl.ca. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes was named Pet Mayor for a Day.

After weeks of enthusiastic voting and community engagement, Stella received the most votes in this year’s campaign. However, after careful consideration, she has decided that life in the public eye isn’t quite her style. With concerns about long meetings, public appearances, and a strong preference for naps over negotiations, Stella has graciously chosen to step back from the spotlight.

In a collaborative twist, Stella and Bentley will serve as Co–Pet Mayors for the Day. Stella will be hard at work behind the scenes handling important mayoral duties, while Bentley—this year’s runner-up—will take on the public-facing role. Bentley and Stella have officially been named the 2026 Co-Pet Mayors for a Day, with the announcement and swearing in made this morning and the appointment formally recognized by Mayor Doug Elmslie.

Bentley is well known in the community for his role as the Comfort Dog at Lakeland Funeral & Cremation Centre, where he provides compassion and support to individuals and families. His calm and caring nature made him a standout candidate in this year’s campaign.

Funds raised through the campaign will directly support animals in the care of the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, including providing food, shelter, medical treatment, and enrichment.

“We are incredibly grateful to our community for coming together to support this campaign,” said Tina MacFarlane, fundraising manager. “The response was overwhelming, and it truly shows how much people care about animals in need.”

The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes extends sincere thanks to Kawartha Lakes Wellness Warriors for their partnership, as well as to all participating candidates and their families for their enthusiasm and support.