Alberta SPCA 65th Anniversary!
As we head into our 65th year as an organization, my most important message to you is – thank you! Thank you to our partners in the animal welfare community, our supporters and donors and those who take the time to call us when they think an animal needs us.
We simply couldn’t help if it wasn’t for each and every one of you.
While we’re all so proud of the work we’re doing, and all we’ve accomplished, unfortunately there’s so much more to do.
We can’t retire at 65, we’re facing too much pressure. The system is in a critical state. There are too many animals in too many difficult circumstances, and not enough space or funds to care for them.
So, if you’ve taken the time to read this, I’d also ask you to act. If you can afford to donate, please do. If you can afford to volunteer or foster with one of our partners, please do – it all helps.
Finally, thank you for celebrating with us! Please check out the timeline below to see how far we’ve come – and keep your eyes on this space to keep up with where we’re heading!
Sincerely,
Leanne (& Hope)
Executive Director, Alberta SPCA
Join us in Celebrating 65 Years!
Most Needed Items
Purchase an item from our Amazon Wishlist to be delivered right to us!
Over the Years...
Scroll through the timeline below for a brief history of the Alberta SPCA over the past 65 years.
In 1910, Edmonton established its first humane society, the Alberta Humane Society, before eventually changing its name to the SPCA (Northern Alberta). Humane inspectors, as they were called at the time, enforced the Criminal Code of Canada. The province was in its infancy and did not have provincial legislation compelling owners to properly care for their animals.
In the late 1950s, there was pressure on the Alberta Government to enact provincial animal welfare legislation to acknowledge farm animals as well as to better protect all animals. On September 10th, 1959, the Alberta SPCA was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Societies Act in Alberta with a focus on animal welfare issues outside of Edmonton and Calgary.
Archie Bruce conducted fieldwork alone throughout the province. Despite the establishment of the Alberta SPCA, it would be several more years before the province would pass animal welfare legislation.
During the 1960s, pressure intensified on the Alberta Government to create provincial animal welfare legislation. Archie Bruce – the first constable with the Alberta SPCA – alongside Alberta SPCA President Zeke Young and Lou Hyndman Sr., developed the original framework for this legislation.
On July 1, 1967, Bill 80 – An Act for the Protection of Animals in Distress came into effect – laying the foundation for what would evolve into the Animal Protection Act in Alberta. With the legislation came a $10,000 grant to help the Alberta SPCA enforce it, and with that, the Alberta SPCA was able to hire a second constable.
Archie Bruce and Zeke Young were instrumental in creating and growing the Alberta SPCA in the early years of the organization. Mr. Young retired from the role of President in 1976, while Mr. Bruce wrapped up his career at the end of 1977 after 20 years with the agency.
Both men left a tremendous mark on the animal welfare movement in Alberta before handing the reins over to the next generation.
The Alberta SPCA received some heavyweight support in 1978 when Premier Peter Lougheed agreed to be the Honorary President of the organization, and Lieutenant Governor Ralph Steinhauer took on the role of Patron. At the time of their appointments, both men commented on their appreciation for the organization’s work advocating for animals in Alberta.
Having the support of these two giants of the Alberta Legislature helped provide credibility for the Alberta SPCA, which was still a relatively young organization.
The Alberta SPCA’s team of enforcement officers steadily grew in the 1970s and ‘80s, including welcoming our first female special constable. Candy Scales would eventually become the head of the enforcement department and remained with the organization for 18 years.
While the headquarters for the Alberta SPCA has always been in Edmonton, offices were added throughout the province in the 1980s and ‘90s to ensure our Peace Officers could respond to animal welfare complaints quickly and efficiently.
The Strathmore office opened in 1981; it has since been relocated to Okotoks. In 1994, the organization purchased office space on 124th Street in Edmonton. This would be the headquarters for the agency for 22 years. Offices in northwestern and central Alberta were added in 1998 and 1999 respectively.
In 1983, the Alberta SPCA hired its first education officer, Elizabeth Gredley, to promote the values of animal welfare, and develop a humane education curriculum.
Today, the Education Department has the longest, continuously operating humane education program in the province, with two full-time teachers working to provide humane education resources to Alberta teachers.
Ten years of hard work came to fruition in 1989 when the Animal Protection Act was proclaimed into law on October 1st. The new legislation contained a significant penalty section, with fines of up to $10,000 for people convicted of allowing animals to be in distress. The maximum fine increased again in 1998 to $20,000.
The Alberta SPCA launched its first Cash Lottery in 1994. Prior to this, the organization had experienced success raising funds by raffling new vehicles. The first cash lotteries were quite popular and were quickly increased to be held four times a year. In these early years, tickets were sold by volunteers at area malls.
In just the last 10 years alone, Albertans have won more than $4,000,000 from Alberta SPCA cash lotteries and 50/50 raffles.
An important resource for teachers, AnimalWise was a biannual newsletter that ran from 1999-2009. It was a way to share the stories of teachers promoting humane education, as well as providing materials that could be used in classrooms.
The print newsletter format was eventually replaced by the current e-newsletter format that is sent to over 2,700 teachers every month.
A major revision to the Animal Protection Act was enacted in 2006, only the second update since its inception in 1967. These changes came after many years of lobbying by the Alberta SPCA.
This version of the Act included an expanded definition of distress, increased the power of Peace Officers, and included a prohibition against abandoning animals.
AnimalTales – a free book-lending program – was unveiled in 2010, providing resources for Alberta elementary teachers to foster empathy, respect, and a sense of responsibility for animals, people, and the environment. Since its inception, more than 25,000 Alberta students have completed the AnimalTales program.
In 2014, the Alberta SPCA was called to investigate one of the most disturbing animal welfare cases in the province’s history. Over 200 dogs were seized from a property in Milk River. The animals were suffering from severe neglect, including starvation, matting and a lack of appropriate shelter and veterinary care.
The owner of the dogs fled the province, and it wasn’t until 2019 that April Irving was brought back to Alberta to face charges under the Animal Protection Act. Irving was convicted and received a life-time prohibition from owning animals and a fine of $15,500.
A landmark study by the Alberta SPCA affirmed the growing evidence of a clear link between family violence and animal abuse. This study also found that many domestic violence survivors were choosing to remain in their abusive home out of concern for the safety of their pets.
As a result, the Pet Safekeeping Program was launched in 2014, providing people fleeing family violence a safe place for their pets while they entered a shelter.
The Alberta SPCA Education Department unveiled its character education poster series in 2015. Above all else, BE KIND was the first poster of eight, reinforcing positive character traits for students while meeting curricular outcomes.
More than 14,000 posters, in both English and French, have been hung in Alberta classrooms. The 9th Alberta SPCA poster in the series is about to be released!
In May 2016 the province and country were shocked when a massive wildfire swept through the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, including the community of Fort McMurray. The size of the fire and the timing of the evacuation meant that hundreds of animals were left behind as residents were forced to flee.
The Alberta SPCA led a large group of animal welfare organizations that helped bring pets out of the community, and cared for them until those animals could be reunited with their owners. This event helped shape how municipalities and animal welfare groups respond to animals impacted by disasters to this day.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on animals in Alberta. While many families took the opportunity to add a pet to their home, many others lost significant income and struggled to care for their pets.
The Alberta SPCA launched the Help For Animals Program in the spring of 2020 to provide pet food to those who needed a hand up, helping ensure families did not have to surrender animals due to short term financial challenges.
Jasper became the latest Alberta community to be impacted by disaster when approximately 30% of the town was destroyed by fast moving flames. The Alberta SPCA is proud to have helped deliver much needed supplies to the Hinton and District SPCA in their efforts to help care for pets impacted by this wildfire.
Alberta SPCA celebrates 65 years. While many retire at 65, we’re just getting started!