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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 8 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 135+ 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:

Montreal SPCA14 dogs available SPA de la Mauricie13 dogs available SPA de l'Estrie13 dogs available SPCA Laurentides-Labelle0 dogs available SPA de Quebec0 dogs available SPCA de l'Outaouais0 dogs available Proanima8 dogs available Calgary Humane Society8 dogs available AARCS9 dogs available ARF Alberta11 dogs available Pawsitive Match12 dogs available BARCS Rescue63 dogs available Calgary Animal Rescue1 dogs available CB Rescue Foundation13 dogs available Cochrane Humane Society7 dogs available Furball Force7 dogs available Heaven Can Wait0 dogs available Megan's Rescue Efforts6 dogs available Pause 4 Change10 dogs available Wag-a-Muffin0 dogs available Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue1 dogs available Fur-Ever Homes Rescue4 dogs available Megan's Rescue Efforts6 dogs available Zoe's Animal Rescue22 dogs available SCARS30 dogs available Edmonton Humane Society9 dogs available Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society1 dogs available Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue4 dogs available Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association5 dogs available Central Alberta Humane Society11 dogs available Four Feet and a Heartbeat5 dogs available Ruff Start Animal Rescue3 dogs available Windy City Canine Rescue0 dogs available Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau2 dogs available Pit Bulls for Life Foundation8 dogs available BC SPCA8 dogs available Baibao Rescue and Adoption Society3 dogs available Delta Community Animal Shelter0 dogs available Barney's Furry Friends5 dogs available Victoria Humane Society1 dogs available CRD Animal Shelter2 dogs available Dog Bless Rescue Partners1 dogs available Broken Promises Rescue Society2 dogs available Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue8 dogs available Loved at Last Dog Rescue59 dogs available West Coast Paws Dog Rescue34 dogs available Embrace a Discarded Animal Society11 dogs available North Amity Dog Rescue Society4 dogs available Langley Animal Protection Society5 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 Rescue7 dogs available Running Wild Rescue17 dogs available We All Need a Rescue2 dogs available New Hope Dog Rescue9 dogs available CC RezQ's0 dogs available Saskatoon Dog Rescue9 dogs available Regina Humane Society8 dogs available Saskatoon SPCA0 dogs available Prince Albert SPCA0 dogs available Moose Jaw Humane Society0 dogs available Battlefords Humane Society11 dogs available Humboldt & District SPCA5 dogs available Saskatoon Animal Control Agency1 dogs available SPCA Swift Current0 dogs available North East SPCA2 dogs available Northern Transitional Dog Rescue7 dogs available Estevan Humane Society2 dogs available Lucky Paws Dog Rescue0 dogs available Pets Purpose Animal Shelter Society2 dogs available Border Paws Animal Shelter3 dogs available Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue0 dogs available Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter5 dogs available Winnipeg Humane Society2 dogs available D'Arcy's ARC1 dogs available Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue0 dogs available Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue5 dogs available Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue6 dogs available Pembina Valley Humane Society0 dogs available Brandon Humane Society3 dogs available Swan Valley Animal Protection League1 dogs available Grateful Friends Animal Rescue0 dogs available Westman Animal Rescue1 dogs available Wayward Whiskers0 dogs available Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue1 dogs available Before the Bridge0 dogs available Earthdog Terrier Rescue1 dogs available Winnipeg Boxer Rescue0 dogs available Homeless & Injured Animal Rescue of Canada0 dogs available Tails of Freedom Rescue0 dogs available Ontario SPCA & Humane Society5 dogs available Windsor/Essex County Humane Society0 dogs available Guelph Humane Society7 dogs available Humane Society of Greater Niagara17 dogs available Kingston Humane Society12 dogs available Peterborough Humane Society6 dogs available Toronto Humane Society12 dogs available City of Toronto Animal Services9 dogs available Ottawa Humane Society30 dogs available Hamilton-Burlington SPCA13 dogs available ARF Ontario8 dogs available Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth8 dogs available Humane Society London & Middlesex6 dogs available Nova Scotia SPCA6 dogs available St. John's Humane Services27 dogs available Beagle Paws15 dogs available Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary25 dogs available Save Our Scruff7 dogs available Hopeful Tails Dog Rescue8 dogs available TEAM Dog Rescue8 dogs available Fetch + Releash5 dogs available Freedom Dog Rescue2 dogs available Redemption Paws29 dogs available Humane Society of Oakville, Milton & Halton7 dogs available Full Circle Rescue3 dogs available Etobicoke Humane Society6 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Toronto Area)5 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Ottawa Area)5 dogs available Rocky Road Rescue3 dogs available Sit With Me Dog Rescue3 dogs available For the Love of Dogs Ottawa1 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Central Ontario)8 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Sudbury)4 dogs available Ontario SPCA (Thunder Bay)0 dogs available Pet Save49 dogs available Paws For Love1 dogs available People for Animal Wellbeing2 dogs available Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue7 dogs available Fredericton SPCA3 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 135+ 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 135+ organizations, all in one place.

Browse All Dogs →

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