What We Do

Animal Care & Community Resources

Protect, promote and enhance the well-being of animals in Alberta.

Contents
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    Overview

    This section provides helpful care and handling information related to specific animal species, along with current animal welfare issues and other resources aimed at advancing animal welfare and appropriate care of domestic animals in our province.

    Caring For Pets

    Regular checkups:  As with people, it is ideal to diagnose an illness or disease early on before it develops into something more serious and painful for your pet.  Speak with your veterinarian about a checkup schedule or any other questions you may have about keeping your pet healthy. 

    Vaccinate your pet: Vaccinations help protect your companion animal from many preventable and potentially life-threatening diseases.

    Spay/neuter your pet: Spaying (for females) or neutering (for males) provides countless benefits for your pet, your community, and your wallet, including:

    • Reducing the risk of many life-threatening diseases, including certain cancers and diseases of the reproductive system.
    • Eliminating the costs associated with providing food and medical care to a new litter.
    • Limiting unpleasant behavioural problems such as wandering, marking territory, and anxiousness.

    Contributing to the reduction of Alberta’s pet overpopulation crisis.

    Helpful Links

    Other things you may be interested in!

    Renting With Pets

    Pet caregivers may have difficulty finding rental accommodations allowing animals. Sadly, the inability to find pet-friendly housing is a common ...

    Pets and Hot Weather

    Pets and Vehicles Our dogs love to go places with us, we understand that. However, when it gets hot in ...

    Ticks and Fleas

    Flea and tick season in Alberta typically begins in the early spring. These pests can cause health issues for dogs ...

    Travelling with Pets

    Whether you are planning to drive your dog to a park or thinking about taking your pet on a holiday ...

    12 Tips for Finding the Right Boarding Facility

    Finding a boarding facility where you can leave your dog for days or weeks can be stressful – after all, ...

    Outdoor Dangers

    Yard & Garden Dangers: How to Keep Your Pet Safe In Alberta, we all look forward to warm weather so ...

    Caring For Dogs

    Dogs hold a special place in our hearts and homes. Whether it’s their playful behaviour, comforting presence, or unconditional love, they quickly become beloved members of the family.

    As intelligent, social animals, dogs thrive in environments that support both their physical and emotional well-being. Responsible dog ownership involves ongoing care and commitment to ensure your dog stays safe, healthy, and happy every day.

    See the links below to learn more about how you can support your dog’s well-being and provide the care they need.

    dog waking

    Caring For Cats

    Cats are the most common household pet in Canada. It’s estimated there are 8.8 million cats that are considered pets in our country; more than one in three homes has a cat.

    Cats make wonderful companions but have specific needs that need to be met for them to feel safe and happy. See the links below to learn more about providing care and enrichment for your cat.

    two cats

    Caring For Horses

    Every year, the Alberta SPCA receives thousands of calls from concerned citizens, with a significant portion regarding suspected neglect and abuse of horses. Approximately 30% of the calls we receive are related to horses.

    Many of the concerns we are contacted about can be addressed through forms of education. To empower caretakers in providing the essentials for happy and healthy horses, we’ve compiled a variety of resources focused on ensuring appropriate care.

    blonde horse

    Caring For Cattle

    Cattle are an important of Alberta’s history, and ranching remains an important industry in the province.

    Concerns about the maltreatment of cattle make up about 10% of the complaints received by the Alberta SPCA, but the investigations can be complex as many herds include hundreds of animals.

    The Alberta SPCA has numerous peace officers who have backgrounds in raising livestock and bring with them decades of experience and knowledge in how to properly raise and manage commercial animals.

    We’ve assembled a variety of resources to help livestock producers ensure their livestock care and management practices are sound.

    cows

    Emergency Livestock Trailer Locations

    The Alberta SPCA offers the following list of municipalities with emergency livestock handling trailers as a community service, and we acknowledge some communities may choose to no longer offer this service without our knowledge. This information is current as of November 4th, 2025.

    This list was previously managed by the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association (AFAC).

    Southern Alberta

    Brooks

    403-363-4330
    City of Brooks

    403-501-4586
    County of Newell

    Cypress County/Dunmore

    911
    Emergency Services

    403-526-2888
    Cypress County

    Hanna Fire

    911
    Ask to connect to Red Deer 911
    403-854-0088
    Hanna Firefighter Association

    Langdon

    911
    Emergency Services

    403-520-6292 / 403-478-8058

    Provincial Stockpile near Aldersyde

     

     

    911
    Emergency Services

    Nobleford

     

     

    911
    Emergency Services

    Central Alberta

    Coronation

    Red Deer County

     

    403-754-5072

    or

    403-505-9026

    Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County

     

    403-846-0310
    Clearwater Fire 

    Strathcona County

     

     

     

    780-464-8468

    Northern Alberta

    Debolt/Grovedale – MD Greenview

    780-552-4013

    Debolt

    780-552-4684 

    Grovedale

    Modernizing Animal Welfare Bylaws

    One effective way to support both animal welfare and community well-being is through strong legislation, including thoughtful and compassionate municipal animal bylaws. Effective bylaws give communities the tools to protect people and animals alike.  

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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

    On a First Nation or Reserve:
    Contact Band leadership or the RCMP

    Outside Calgary, Edmonton, or First Nations:
    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.