Fifty-four dogs in one house.
When Alberta SPCA peace officers received a call about 54 small-breed dogs discovered during an emergency response to a house fire, they acted immediately, advising first responders on how to safely remove the dogs. All the dogs were rescued and surrendered into our care. While some required immediate veterinary care, it was clear they had all been neglected.
Our community partner, the Parkland County Animal Shelter, stepped up to temporarily house the dogs while we worked to find available spaces to transfer them — a significant challenge in an already overburdened animal welfare system. Animals requiring urgent medical care were transported to veterinary partners. The remaining animals were transferred to adoption centres once spaces were available. The dogs will be spayed or neutered before being adopted to loving new homes.
Animal protection is complex, and wouldn’t be possible without a network of support, including donors, community agencies and adoption partners. Thank you to everyone who helped keep these dogs safe.
If you see an animal in distress, please click on the Have an Animal Concern? button found at the bottom of our website. This useful new tool will guide you in reporting your concern to the appropriate agency so that animals receive the help they need.