Animal Protection
From livestock to companion animals
Animal Protection
The neglect and abuse of domestic animals is an unfortunate reality in our province. The Alberta SPCA receives thousands of calls each year from people concerned that they have witnessed some form of animal cruelty. We deal with animal welfare issues involving livestock and companion animals, from horses to dogs to cattle.
Neglect is typically the most common reason for animal welfare issues and can be defined in a number of ways:
- to pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard,
- to fail to care for or attend to properly,
- to fail to do or carry out, as through carelessness or oversight.
Regardless of the reason for neglect—be it carelessness, oversight or lack of knowledge—people who own or look after animals must be held accountable. In some instances, we are able to work with people to improve their understanding of acceptable levels of care and therefore improve the condition of the animals they have. But because no two investigations are alike, it’s up to our Peace Officers to take appropriate action based on what they observe along with their extensive experience and knowledge of animal welfare and care.
To Report an Animal in Distress call 1-800-455-9003
Report an Animal
in Distress
1-800-455-9003
What Happens when you Call?
When you call our Animal Protection Line 1-800-455-9003 we open up a file similar to a police investigation. In order to do so, we need timely, first-hand details to proceed.
What Should you Expect
We open up a file similar to a police investigation. In order to do so, we need timely, first-hand details to proceed. When calling, we will ask for a few simple questions.
When Do We Seize Animals
Alberta SPCA Peace Officers sometimes need to take animals into protective custody. When they do so, the officers will post a notice at the former location of the animals stating the reason for the seizure.
Investigating Neglect & Abuse
Our Peace Officers investigate every complaint we receive. We can only investigate if we have reasonable and probable grounds to believe there may have been an offence under the Animal Protection Act.
Land Acknowledgment
The Alberta SPCA respects the deep foundational connection Indigenous Peoples have had to animals and this land, now known as Alberta, for thousands of years. We are grateful to continue to work towards the humane treatment of all animals in all areas of the province on the traditional territories encompassed by Treaties 6, 7, 8, 4, & 10 and the Métis Homeland.
We are inspired by how many Indigenous Peoples recognize animals, people and the environment are interconnected and that respecting these relationships is fundamental to the well-being of all living things and the Earth that we share. As treaty people, we also strive to listen, respect, care for, and live in harmony with one another, animals and the natural world.