Animal Protection

Alberta’s Animal Prohibition Orders

Prohibition orders are court issued orders that place restrictions on an individual’s ability to own, care for or live with ...
Eddie the Rottweiler mix dog, as puppy and adult, sitting outdoors, looking at the camera. Before getting rescued and after.

Finding Their Way Home: Eddie and Yarlly

Eddie and Yarlly didn’t have an easy start to life. Thanks to a network of compassion, they found their way ...
Alberta SPCA Full Logo

Alberta SPCA Seeking Information in Suspected Animal Cruelty Case

The Alberta SPCA and Chestermere RCMP are seeking information as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected animal cruelty ...
brown calf with a white spot on its forehead resting on straw bedding in a barn.

What Happens After a Rescue?

As the front line of animal protection, the Alberta SPCA has the unique role of rescuing animals in distress in ...
Cat lying down, looking into the camera.

Supporting Caregivers and Animals: A Cat Rescue Story

When people are struggling with mental health issues, animals often bear the brunt of their pain. ...
Peace Officer holding cat with the Peace officers flash being shown

Bill 22: The Animal Protection Amendment Act

For the first time in two decades, Alberta is strengthening its animal protection laws. Here's what's changing. ...
Two dogs in unsafe conditions, in a messy house.

Hazel’s Story

Hazel needed help. Your donations fueled her rescue. Now, you can help save more animals like her. ...
Close of image of a peace officer outside looking out at a field of cattle. The focus of the image is the Alberta SPCA Logo.

2025: A Year of Courage, Compassion and Community

In her message below, Executive Director Leanne Niblock reflects on the milestones, challenges and collective efforts that shaped the past ...

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 ...

Alberta SPCA Logo

New Look – Renewed Commitment to Animal Protection

In April, the Alberta SPCA took into care 16 shivering and frightened dogs from northern Alberta —the result of an ...

Image of Dog

Improving Animal Protection Through Effective Prohibition Orders

When it comes to protecting animals from ongoing neglect, court-ordered prohibitions are one of the most powerful tools available. Under ...

Peace Officer Luke standing in front of new stock trailer

New Stock Trailer Plays Big Role in Removing Horses from Property

It didn’t take long for our new stock trailer to prove its worth. Thanks to your incredible support during our ...

Scroll to Top
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.