About

No, EHS is an independent, registered charity and does not receive government funding for our operations. About 70% of our funding comes from community donations.

We do have an agreement with the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC), where they pay a fee for each animal they transfer to us for rehoming. This fee, funded through services like pet licenses, covers only a portion of the cost of care. The City also provides a grant for our PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) program, which helps subsidize spay/neuter services for eligible pet owners.

No, EHS is an independent charity. The City of Edmonton operates the Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC), which accepts stray animals found within city limits and enforces animal bylaws and the provincial Animal Protection Act.

We do share a campus and work in partnership with each other. The majority of animals taken in by EHS are unclaimed animals from ACCC who require rehoming, in addition to surrendered pets and those transferred from other organizations.

Yes! We were previously known as the Edmonton SPCA until 2003, when we changed our name to the Edmonton Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, commonly known as the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS). This was to reflect our focus on education and advocacy, and help differentiate us from the Alberta SPCA.

The Alberta SPCA enforces the Animal Protection Act across Alberta (outside Edmonton and Calgary) but does not operate an animal shelter. EHS provides sheltering, adoptions and programs supporting pets and their people in Edmonton and surrounding communities.

We work closely with the Alberta SPCA and often accept animals they have seized or taken in through surrender.

A “no-kill” shelter is generally defined as one with a live release rate above 90%, where healthy or treatable animals are not euthanized due to space or time limitations. EHS meets this definition, with a live release rate consistently above 95%. Adoptable animals can stay in our care as long as needed to find the right family.

However, we choose not to use the term “no-kill,” as it is often misunderstood and can be divisive. It implies that animals are never euthanized, which is not accurate. While we do not euthanize based on breed, age, or space or time constraints, humane euthanasia may be necessary for animals with untreatable pain or illness, or behaviour issues that compromise their welfare or pose a risk to public safety. Because we accept animals from various situations, including neglect and abuse, humane euthanasia may sometimes be the most compassionate choice to alleviate distress and suffering. Each animal is assessed individually to determine the best path forward for their well-being.

For more details on our approach to humane euthanasia, please view our position statements. You can also view our live release rates in our annual reports.

This depends on where the animal is located and the nature of the concern. Visit our Report Animal Concerns page for more information and who to call.

The Edmonton Humane Society does not enforce laws and cannot investigate concerns.

If the stray animal was found within Edmonton, please call the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre at 311.

For animals found outside Edmonton, they may come to us or your local animal control depending on the location. Visit our Lost and Found Pets page for more information and tips for reuniting lost pets.

EHS does not have a public veterinary clinic. However, we offer some services for eligible low-income pet guardians, including spay/neuter services through our PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) program and our humane euthanasia program.

To find a veterinarian near you, visit the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) directory.

We understand that rehoming a pet is a difficult decision. We manage our intake based on capacity to ensure we provide the best care for animals already with us.

Before surrendering, we encourage pet owners to explore alternatives through our HELP (Helping Every Loved Pet) Tool, which offers resources and support. If you still need to surrender, you can submit a support request through the tool, and our team will help you navigate your options.

If it has been less than 30 days, you may return the pet and a refund will be issued, minus an administrative fee and any non-refundable fees. Please call 780-491-3522 to schedule a return.

If it has been more than 30 days, you can request to surrender the pet, but acceptance will depend on our current capacity. An appointment is required to surrender a pet. We encourage adopters to explore options through our HELP (Helping Every Loved Pet) Tool or consider self-rehoming, which is often less stressful for pets and allows you to choose their next family.

EHS does not require adopted pets to be returned to us if rehoming is needed. Once adopted, ownership is legally transferred to the adopter, meaning it is their decision how and if to rehome their pet. For this reason, EHS cannot enforce a policy requiring returns.

There are many ways to support EHS! You can volunteer, foster, donate, attend an event or come work with us. We also offer many services including our Bingo’s Pet Shop, Central Bark Dog Park, training classes and humane education programs, the proceeds from which all go back into our work.

Our shelter is open seven days a week and you are welcome to come visit, even if you’re not ready to bring home your new best friend. View our operating hours.

You can also stay connected by joining our newsletter or following us on social media, @edmontonhumane.