When Calgarians search for the “dog pound,” they're almost always looking for Calgary Animal Services — the municipal facility that impounds stray dogs, holds lost pets, and adopts out unclaimed animals. The term “pound” is a legacy word from when cities operated basic holding facilities. Today's Animal Services Centre is a modern shelter with veterinary care, adoption programs, and a 15-minute-updated list of impounded dogs you can check online.
This guide consolidates everything the City of Calgary publishes across multiple pages: the exact address and hours, how long dogs are held, adoption fees, what to do if you've lost or found a dog, and how the pound differs from the Calgary Humane Society and other local rescues. It's written for people in an emergency (lost dog), people looking to adopt, and anyone who wants to understand how dog impound works in Calgary.
If you're here to adopt a dog, keep in mind that the pound has a limited, rotating selection — mostly unclaimed strays. For a wider range of breeds, ages, and temperament-evaluated dogs, browse 291 adoptable dogs from 13+ Calgary rescues — many of which are foster-evaluated and ready to go home today.
Calgary Dog Pound: Key Facts
Official name: Calgary Animal Services
| Address | 2201 Portland Street SE, Calgary, AB |
| Phone (in Calgary) | 311 |
| Phone (outside Calgary) | 403-268-2489 |
| Hours: Monday–Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
| Hours: Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Hours: Sunday | Closed |
| Hold period (dog with ID) | 10 days |
| Hold period (no ID) | 4 days |
| Adoption fee (standard) | $225 + GST |
| Adoption fee (Hidden Gems) | $100 + GST (long-stay dogs) |
| What's included | Vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter, dental, City of Calgary licence |
| Impounded list updates | Every 15 minutes |
I Lost My Dog in Calgary — What Do I Do?
If your dog has gone missing inside Calgary city limits, act fast. The hold periods are strict, and dogs without ID can be adopted out in as little as 4 days. Here's the recommended process:
- 1
Call 311 and file a Lost Animal Report
Tell them your dog's description, licence number, tattoo, or microchip ID. This flags Calgary Animal Services to contact you if your dog is brought in.
- 2
Check the impounded dogs list
Visit calgary.ca/pets/lost-animals/dogs.html. The list refreshes every 15 minutes. Also download the City's Pets mobile app so you can check throughout the day.
- 3
Search your neighbourhood and nearby vets
Dogs often stay within a few kilometres of home. Walk the area, talk to neighbours, post on local Facebook lost-pet groups (e.g., Calgary Lost Pets), and call nearby veterinary clinics — good Samaritans often drop strays at vets after hours.
- 4
Visit Calgary Animal Services in person
If your dog isn't on the online list, go to 2201 Portland St SE during opening hours. Sometimes dogs are in the intake process and not yet listed online.
- 5
If found outside Calgary, check Calgary Humane Society
Dogs found outside city limits are taken to Calgary Humane Society, not Animal Services. Call them separately at 403-205-4455.
Tip: Dogs with a microchip and current contact info are reunited with their owners far faster. If your dog isn't microchipped, ask your vet — it's usually under $50 and takes five minutes.
I Found a Stray Dog in Calgary — What Do I Do?
Thank you for helping — a stray dog's best chance of getting home is someone doing exactly what you're about to do. Here's what the City of Calgary recommends:
- 1
If inside Calgary, take the dog to Calgary Animal Services
Bring the dog to 2201 Portland St SE during opening hours. They'll scan for a microchip and start the identification process. This is the first place owners check.
- 2
After hours? Go to the nearest vet clinic
Most veterinary clinics in Calgary will hold a stray overnight and scan for a microchip. Call ahead if possible.
- 3
Call 311 to report the found dog
Filing a found report helps match the dog with incoming lost reports. It also protects you legally if the owner later claims the dog.
- 4
If outside Calgary, take the dog to Calgary Humane Society
Dogs found outside city limits are the Humane Society's jurisdiction, not Animal Services. Address: 4455 110 Ave SE (note: different location from Animal Services).
Adopting a Dog from the Calgary Pound
Yes — you can adopt dogs from Calgary Animal Services. Adoptions are by appointment only. Call 311 to book, then visit during opening hours. The standard adoption fee is $225 + GST, which includes vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter, dental care, and a City of Calgary licence. Long-stay dogs in the Hidden Gems program are discounted to $100 + GST.
The available dogs at Animal Services rotate frequently — typically 5 to 20 at any time, mostly unclaimed strays. The City publishes the current adoption list at calgary.ca/pets/adoption/dogs.html, updated every 15 minutes.
Looking for more options than the pound?
The Calgary pound has a small rotating selection. LocalPetFinder aggregates dogs from 13+ Calgary rescue organizations — Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, Pawsitive Match, ARF Alberta, and more — into one searchable platform. Filter by size, breed, age, energy, or compatibility. All listings link directly to the rescue handling the adoption.
Pound vs. Humane Society vs. Rescue: What's the Difference?
Calgary has three types of places that house adoptable dogs. They serve different purposes and follow different adoption processes.
| Calgary Animal Services (Pound) | Calgary Humane Society | Rescue Organizations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | City of Calgary (municipal) | Non-profit shelter | Volunteer-run non-profits |
| Main purpose | Impound strays, reunite lost dogs | Shelter surrenders and strays from outside Calgary | Rehome specific dogs (often foster-based) |
| Dogs available | 5–20, rotating | 50–100+ | Varies (sometimes by breed) |
| Adoption fee | $225 + GST | $200–$525 | $200–$500 |
| Temperament info | Limited (short-stay) | Staff-evaluated | Foster-evaluated (most detailed) |
| Process | Call 311, appointment only | Application + meet-and-greet | Application + reference/home check |
Calgary Dog Pound FAQ
Where is the dog pound in Calgary?
The Calgary dog pound is officially called Calgary Animal Services, located at 2201 Portland Street SE, Calgary, AB. It is operated by The City of Calgary and handles all impounded dogs found within city limits. Dogs found outside Calgary go to the Calgary Humane Society instead.
What are the hours of the Calgary dog pound?
Calgary Animal Services is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is closed Sunday. Adoption visits are by appointment only — call 311 to book.
How long does the Calgary pound hold dogs?
Calgary Animal Services holds dogs with ID (licence tag, tattoo, or microchip) for 10 days. Dogs without any identification are held for 4 days. After the hold period, unclaimed dogs may be put up for adoption or transferred to partner rescues like AARCS or the Humane Society.
How much does it cost to adopt from the Calgary pound?
Adoption fees at Calgary Animal Services are $225 + GST for dogs. Long-stay dogs in the “Hidden Gems” program are $100 + GST. Fees include vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter, dental care, and a City of Calgary licence — a value of $500+ in veterinary services.
What should I do if I lost my dog in Calgary?
Call 311 immediately to file a Lost Animal Report. Check the Calgary Animal Services impounded dogs list (updated every 15 minutes). Search your neighbourhood, post on lost-pet groups, and call nearby veterinary clinics in case someone brought your dog in after hours. Dogs without ID are held only 4 days, so act fast.
Is the Calgary dog pound the same as the Calgary Humane Society?
No. The Calgary dog pound (Calgary Animal Services) is a municipal facility run by The City of Calgary for impounded stray dogs inside city limits. The Calgary Humane Society is a separate non-profit shelter. They work together — dogs found outside Calgary city limits go to the Humane Society, while dogs from within the city go to Animal Services.
Can I adopt a dog from the pound, or should I use a rescue?
Both are great options. The Calgary pound has a smaller, rotating selection of dogs — mostly unclaimed strays. Rescues have more variety, breed-specific dogs, foster-evaluated temperaments, and detailed info about compatibility with kids, cats, and other dogs. LocalPetFinder aggregates dogs from 13+ Calgary rescues in one searchable place.