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Is There an SPCA in Calgary?

No — but here's who handles animal welfare, adoption, and cruelty cases in Calgary

6 min read · Mar 29, 2026 · Updated Apr 2026

If you're searching for "SPCA Calgary," you're not alone — it's one of the most common searches for animal welfare in the city. But Calgary does not have an SPCA branch. The organization that fills that role is the Calgary Humane Society, which has been serving the Calgary area since 1922.

The confusion is understandable. In many Canadian cities — Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal — the SPCA is the go-to organization for animal adoption, cruelty reporting, and shelter services. In Calgary, those same services are provided by the Calgary Humane Society, an independent non-profit that is not affiliated with any SPCA network.

The Calgary Humane Society currently has 12 dogs available for adoption. Beyond dog adoption, they also shelter cats, rabbits, and other small animals, investigate animal cruelty complaints, and run educational programs. Their facility at 4455 110 Ave SE is open daily from 12-6pm for adoption visits.

Who Handles What in Calgary

Dog & Cat Adoption

Calgary Humane Society is the largest shelter. But there are also 100+ rescue organizations in Calgary including AARCS, Pawsitive Match, ARF Alberta, and more. LocalPetFinder aggregates 1000+ dogs from all of them.

Animal Cruelty Reports

The Calgary Humane Society investigates animal cruelty under the Alberta Animal Protection Act. Call their Peace Officer line to report suspected abuse or neglect.

Stray & Lost Dogs

City of Calgary Animal Services handles stray pickup, dog licensing, and bylaw enforcement. The Calgary Humane Society often receives strays from Animal Services for sheltering and rehoming.

Surrendering a Pet

If you need to surrender a dog, contact Calgary Humane Society first. Many foster-based rescues like AARCS and Pawsitive Match also accept owner surrenders depending on capacity.

All Calgary Dog Rescue Organizations

Beyond the Calgary Humane Society, these organizations rescue, foster, and rehome dogs across the Calgary area:

Calgary Humane Society12 dogs available AARCS24 dogs available ARF Alberta4 dogs available Pawsitive Match6 dogs available BARCS Rescue34 dogs available Calgary Animal Rescue2 dogs available CB Rescue Foundation3 dogs available Cochrane Humane Society6 dogs available Furball Force6 dogs available Heaven Can Wait15 dogs available Megan's Rescue Efforts6 dogs available Pause 4 Change16 dogs available Wag-a-Muffin3 dogs available Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue4 dogs available Fur-Ever Homes Rescue7 dogs available Megan's Rescue Efforts6 dogs available Zoe's Animal Rescue27 dogs available SCARS32 dogs available Edmonton Humane Society11 dogs available Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society1 dogs available Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue6 dogs available Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association16 dogs available Central Alberta Humane Society10 dogs available Four Feet and a Heartbeat6 dogs available Ruff Start Animal Rescue9 dogs available Windy City Canine Rescue7 dogs available Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau4 dogs available Pit Bulls for Life Foundation15 dogs available BC SPCA6 dogs available Baibao Rescue and Adoption Society3 dogs available Delta Community Animal Shelter4 dogs available Barney's Furry Friends6 dogs available Victoria Humane Society1 dogs available CRD Animal Shelter2 dogs available Dog Bless Rescue Partners1 dogs available Broken Promises Rescue Society3 dogs available Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue3 dogs available Loved at Last Dog Rescue24 dogs available West Coast Paws Dog Rescue47 dogs available Embrace a Discarded Animal Society13 dogs available North Amity Dog Rescue Society2 dogs available Langley Animal Protection Society3 dogs available Victoria Pet Adoption Society0 dogs available BC SPCA Vancouver Branch0 dogs available BC SPCA Victoria Branch0 dogs available BC SPCA Kelowna Branch0 dogs available BC SPCA Nanaimo Branch0 dogs available BC SPCA Kamloops Branch0 dogs available Richmond Animal Protection Society0 dogs available Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre0 dogs available Bright Eyes Dog Rescue5 dogs available Running Wild Rescue53 dogs available We All Need a Rescue6 dogs available New Hope Dog Rescue19 dogs available CC RezQ's0 dogs available Saskatoon Dog Rescue9 dogs available Regina Humane Society1 dogs available Saskatoon SPCA1 dogs available Prince Albert SPCA1 dogs available Moose Jaw Humane Society3 dogs available Battlefords Humane Society9 dogs available Humboldt & District SPCA11 dogs available Saskatoon Animal Control Agency2 dogs available Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue3 dogs available Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter12 dogs available Cupcakes Pommy and Friends Rescue1 dogs available Winnipeg Humane Society5 dogs available D'Arcy's ARC5 dogs available Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue0 dogs available Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue15 dogs available Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue4 dogs available Pembina Valley Humane Society0 dogs available Brandon Humane Society0 dogs available Ontario SPCA & Humane Society41 dogs available Windsor/Essex County Humane Society9 dogs available Guelph Humane Society9 dogs available Lincoln County Humane Society18 dogs available Kingston Humane Society18 dogs available Peterborough Humane Society10 dogs available Toronto Humane Society7 dogs available City of Toronto Animal Services14 dogs available Ottawa Humane Society14 dogs available Hamilton-Burlington SPCA5 dogs available ARF Ontario9 dogs available Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth15 dogs available Humane Society London & Middlesex3 dogs available Nova Scotia SPCA15 dogs available St. John's Humane Services31 dogs available Beagle Paws24 dogs available Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary42 dogs available Save Our Scruff10 dogs available Humane Society of Oakville, Milton & Halton0 dogs available Full Circle Rescue3 dogs available Etobicoke Humane Society3 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Toronto Area)33 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Ottawa Area)3 dogs available Rocky Road Rescue6 dogs available Sit With Me Dog Rescue20 dogs available For the Love of Dogs Ottawa0 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Central Ontario)7 dogs available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an SPCA in Calgary?

No. Calgary does not have an SPCA branch. The Calgary Humane Society is the primary animal welfare organization in the city, serving a similar role to SPCAs in other Canadian cities. They handle adoption, cruelty investigation, and sheltering.

What is the difference between the Calgary Humane Society and an SPCA?

SPCAs and humane societies serve similar roles — animal sheltering, adoption, cruelty investigation, and public education. The Calgary Humane Society is an independent non-profit that is not part of the SPCA network, but provides equivalent services. Functionally, for someone looking to adopt a dog or report animal cruelty, there is no practical difference.

Where can I adopt a dog in Calgary if there is no SPCA?

Calgary has 100+ dog rescue organizations. LocalPetFinder aggregates 1000+ dogs from all of them — including the Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, Pawsitive Match, ARF Alberta, and many more — so you can browse and compare in one place.

Browse Adoptable Dogs in Calgary

1000+ rescue dogs from 100+ organizations, all in one place.

Browse All Dogs →