News and Stories

Black and Grey Dog looking at the camera with it's head tilted and tongue out. Dog is is sitting in a field of yellow tulips.

Adoption or Breeders? A Q&A

When choosing to add a dog to your family, we strongly encourage Albertans to adopt their next companion. However, there ...
Alberta SPCA Full Logo

Official Statement on the Opening of the APA

The Alberta SPCA is encouraged to see the Government of Alberta demonstrating its commitment to animal welfare by reviewing the ...
Two cows outside, side by side looking at the camera with other cattle in the back.

Myth Busting With The Alberta SPCA

When it comes to animal welfare, there’s no shortage of misunderstandings. From how dogs communicate to how livestock handle Alberta ...
The image shows an adult horse and a foal standing outdoors in a natural setting, with the adult horse gently resting its head on the foal.

Spirit’s Story

Sometimes, hope can come from the most unexpected places. Spirit’s story showcases the of these amazing animals — and the ...
Black and brown dog standing outside in the snow.

Using New Legal Strategies to Close Gaps and Protect Animals

When urgent intervention is needed to rescue animals in need, sometimes traditional methods don’t provide enough protection. That’s where we’re ...
A Miniature Pinscher standing in a shelter kennel with one paw on the kennel door.

Working Together: Protection in Action

Fifty-four dogs in one house. When Alberta SPCA peace officers received a call about 54 small-breed dogs discovered during an ...

Black and White Dog in a fall background looking at the camera.

The Importance of Modern Animal Bylaws

A Shared Responsibility Animal welfare in Alberta is a shared responsibility, and municipalities of all sizes play a vital role. ...

Empty Cat Traps in the Snow

Cat Traps

Whether you are attempting to remove an unwanted cat from your property, help a stray or feral cat, or contain ...

Farmer Mental Health

Stronger Together: People, Animals & Communities The Alberta SPCA responds to concerns of animals in distress across Alberta, including on ...

Dog in a shelter or rescue

Speaking for Those Who Can’t

Alberta SPCA Gives Neglected Dogs a Voice in Court In a recent case where the owner of several starved and ...

Tackling Wicked Problems in Animal Welfare

At the Alberta SPCA, we’re committed to continuous learning and collaboration to advance animal welfare across Alberta. After attending our ...

Pets and Wills

Planning for the Future Our animals are exceptionally important to us, but many people fail to plan for their pets ...

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Abused or neglected animal

Under the Animal Protection Act, peace officers have authority to investigate concerns of animal abuse or neglect if there is reason to believe that an animal is:

(a) deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold,
(b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or
(c) abused or subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect.

Does your concern meet these requirements?

Animal that is in immediate danger
Who to call

In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
403-205-4455
Calgary Humane Society

Outside Calgary and Edmonton:

1-800-455-9003 or complete online

Alberta SPCA

 

What you need when you call:
Address, details (must be firsthand), date and time, description of owner and animals

What next

If your concern is regarding intentional cruelty to
an animal, contact your local police or RCMP. If the
animal is in immediate danger, call 911.

If not, start again.

Abandoned animal

Stray animals and abandoned animals are different.
An abandoned animal has been intentionally left behind by their owner or caretaker, without proper care or intention to return.

A stray animal may or may not have an owner or caretaker, and is wandering at large (off the owner or caretaker’s property).

Wildlife

Contact a wildlife organization near you.

Who to call

In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
403-205-4455
Calgary Humane Society

Outside Calgary and Edmonton:
1-800-455-9003
Alberta SPCA or complete online

Is the stray animal injured?
Who to call

Companion Animals
In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
311
Calgary Animal Services

Outside Calgary and Edmonton: 
Contact municipal enforcement / bylaw office

Livestock
Contact Livestock Identification Services at 1-866-509-2088.
After hours, contact your local non-emergency police line

Short-term pet care during crisis

Review our materials

Surrendering an animal

Contact your local animal shelter.