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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

Author: LocalPetFinder Team

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 19 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.

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Who Handles What in Calgary

Dog & Cat Adoption

Calgary Humane Society is the largest shelter. But there are also 148+ rescue organizations in Calgary including AARCS, Pawsitive Match, ARF Alberta, and more. LocalPetFinder aggregates 2294+ 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:

Montreal SPCA7 dogs available Rescue All Dogs2 dogs available Rosie Animal Adoption0 dogs available Gerdy's Rescues and Adoptions4 dogs available Passion for Paws7 dogs available Animatch19 dogs available SPA de la Mauricie23 dogs available SPA de l'Estrie19 dogs available SPCA Laurentides-Labelle13 dogs available SPA de Quebec0 dogs available SPCA de l'Outaouais3 dogs available Proanima7 dogs available Calgary Humane Society19 dogs available AARCS55 dogs available ARF Alberta20 dogs available Pawsitive Match10 dogs available BARCS Rescue91 dogs available Calgary Animal Rescue2 dogs available CB Rescue Foundation8 dogs available Cochrane Humane Society28 dogs available Furball Force14 dogs available Heaven Can Wait11 dogs available Megan's Rescue Efforts4 dogs available Pause 4 Change15 dogs available Wag-a-Muffin3 dogs available Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue4 dogs available Fur-Ever Homes Rescue11 dogs available Zoe's Animal Rescue34 dogs available SCARS53 dogs available Edmonton Humane Society9 dogs available Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society5 dogs available Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue6 dogs available Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association9 dogs available Central Alberta Humane Society9 dogs available Four Feet and a Heartbeat8 dogs available Ruff Start Animal Rescue8 dogs available Windy City Canine Rescue2 dogs available Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau7 dogs available Pit Bulls for Life Foundation22 dogs available BC SPCA45 dogs available Baibao Rescue and Adoption Society2 dogs available Delta Community Animal Shelter1 dogs available Barney's Furry Friends8 dogs available Victoria Humane Society5 dogs available CRD Animal Shelter0 dogs available Dog Bless Rescue Partners0 dogs available Broken Promises Rescue Society4 dogs available Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue24 dogs available Loved at Last Dog Rescue127 dogs available West Coast Paws Dog Rescue44 dogs available Embrace a Discarded Animal Society8 dogs available North Amity Dog Rescue Society7 dogs available Langley Animal Protection Society4 dogs available Victoria Pet Adoption Society0 dogs available BC SPCA Vancouver0 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 Rescue11 dogs available Running Wild Rescue82 dogs available We All Need a Rescue7 dogs available New Hope Dog Rescue48 dogs available CC RezQ's1 dogs available Saskatoon Dog Rescue11 dogs available Regina Humane Society13 dogs available Saskatoon SPCA5 dogs available Prince Albert SPCA8 dogs available Moose Jaw Humane Society5 dogs available Battlefords Humane Society37 dogs available Humboldt & District SPCA10 dogs available Saskatoon Animal Control Agency4 dogs available SPCA Swift Current6 dogs available North East SPCA6 dogs available Northern Transitional Dog Rescue19 dogs available Estevan Humane Society4 dogs available Lucky Paws Dog Rescue2 dogs available Pets Purpose Animal Shelter Society4 dogs available Border Paws Animal Shelter9 dogs available Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue6 dogs available Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter4 dogs available Winnipeg Humane Society13 dogs available D'Arcy's ARC4 dogs available Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue11 dogs available Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue10 dogs available Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue6 dogs available Pembina Valley Humane Society2 dogs available Brandon Humane Society12 dogs available Swan Valley Animal Protection League8 dogs available Grateful Friends Animal Rescue1 dogs available Westman Animal Rescue2 dogs available Wayward Whiskers3 dogs available Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue3 dogs available Before the Bridge7 dogs available Earthdog Terrier Rescue3 dogs available Winnipeg Boxer Rescue0 dogs available Homeless & Injured Animal Rescue of Canada0 dogs available Tails of Freedom Rescue1 dogs available Ontario SPCA & Humane Society3 dogs available Windsor/Essex County Humane Society10 dogs available Guelph Humane Society9 dogs available Humane Society of Greater Niagara23 dogs available Kingston Humane Society27 dogs available Peterborough Humane Society14 dogs available Toronto Humane Society19 dogs available City of Toronto Animal Services11 dogs available Ottawa Humane Society21 dogs available Hamilton-Burlington SPCA9 dogs available ARF Ontario12 dogs available Niagara SPCA and Humane Society44 dogs available Northumberland Humane Society5 dogs available Sarnia & District Humane Society19 dogs available North Bay & District Humane Society19 dogs available Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth10 dogs available Humane Society London & Middlesex10 dogs available Nova Scotia SPCA19 dogs available St. John's Humane Services33 dogs available Beagle Paws25 dogs available Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary84 dogs available Save Our Scruff7 dogs available Hopeful Tails Dog Rescue7 dogs available TEAM Dog Rescue13 dogs available Fetch + Releash6 dogs available Freedom Dog Rescue5 dogs available Redemption Paws64 dogs available Humane Society of Oakville, Milton & Halton13 dogs available Full Circle Rescue5 dogs available Etobicoke Humane Society9 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Toronto Area)9 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Ottawa Area)8 dogs available Rocky Road Rescue6 dogs available Sit With Me Dog Rescue28 dogs available For the Love of Dogs Ottawa5 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Central Ontario)22 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Sudbury)6 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Thunder Bay)4 dogs available Pet Save54 dogs available Paws For Love6 dogs available People for Animal Wellbeing9 dogs available Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue17 dogs available Fredericton SPCA9 dogs available Yorkton SPCA4 dogs available Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue4 dogs available Portage Animal Welfare Society2 dogs available S.H.A.I.D. Tree Animal Shelter1 dogs available PEI Humane Society6 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 148+ dog rescue organizations. LocalPetFinder aggregates 2294+ 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

2294+ rescue dogs from 148+ organizations, all in one place.

Browse All Dogs →

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