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

    Learn More About Proper Companion Animal Care!

    Managing Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
    For many guardians, leaving their dog home alone while they head out for the day is part of their routine. However, for some dogs, it can be a stressful experience.
    Animals and Outdoor Smoky Conditions
    When it’s smoky, keeping animals outside can be potentially harmful. Wildfires can cover large areas with smoke, creating unsafe air conditions for people and animals alike.
    5 Tips for Pet Caregivers This Summer
    Summer is upon is and Alberta is starting to heat up. Across the province people and pets are gearing up for all kinds of warm-weather activities. Ensuring your animals are safe this summer is just as important as enjoying the sunny months.
    Six Animal Tips for Emergency Preparedness Week
    May 4–10 is National Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada. From wildfires to snowstorms – and even floods, Alberta has no shortage of events that require proper planning. Here are six tips to help you prepare before an emergency happens.

    Caring For Livestock

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

    Concerns about the maltreatment of livestock make up about 40% 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.

    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 livestock, we’ve compiled a variety of resources focused on ensuring appropriate care.

    blonde horse

    More Information on Livestock Care

    Livestock and Hot Weather
    As temperatures rise during the summer months, hot weather can become a serious concern for livestock. Taking proactive steps during periods of high temperatures can help keep livestock safe and reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
    New Toolkit Aims to Support People’s Well-being Along With Animal Welfare
    A new toolkit will help Alberta SPCA peace officers aid not only animals in distress, but also their owners, through University of Alberta research.
    Six Animal Tips for Emergency Preparedness Week
    May 4–10 is National Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada. From wildfires to snowstorms – and even floods, Alberta has no shortage of events that require proper planning. Here are six tips to help you prepare before an emergency happens.
    Myth Busting With The Alberta SPCA
    When it comes to animal welfare, there’s no shortage of misunderstandings. From how dogs communicate to how livestock handle Alberta winters, these misconceptions can sometimes lead to unintended harm. At the Alberta SPCA, we believe education is a key part of protecting animals. Let’s break down some of the most common myths and get to the facts.

    Helpful Links

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    Shelters and Adoption Centres

    The Alberta SPCA operates independently of all other animal welfare organizations. The Alberta SPCA is not responsible for content posted by other organizations.

    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.