We’re Here To Help

We have gathered the following information and resources to help you and your pets navigate some of life’s unexpected changes and challenges.

If you are part of an organization providing support to pet guardians that may fit the resources on this page, please email your information to [email protected].

Behaviour Resources & Guides

Mental games are of huge benefit to both people and pets. If you are looking for new ways to exercise your pet, there is a wealth of training and enrichment resources available online that can help keep your pets preoccupied and happy. It is also important to start practicing training activities that help us manage and correct many issues, such as separation anxiety, through positive reinforcement and force-free training.

Here are some training and enrichment videos/resources we recommend:

To help prevent and/or manage separation anxiety in your pet, we recommend:

If you are experiencing other behaviour issues with your pet, we recommend:

Ask A Specialist

We are fortunate enough to have amazing staff and supporters who can help. If you are experiencing behavioural difficulties with your cat or dog and would like to talk to a professional about your concerns, our EHS trainers are here to support you. If your question isn’t answered in one of our free resources you can…

  • Email or call us
  • Ask your question
  • Tell us the best way and time to reach you back
  • Allow for 1-2 business days for our behavior experts to answer your questions and give suggestions on how to handle your situation

Phone 780-491-3521 to reach our free pet behaviour hotline, or email us through the button below.

Lost Pet Support

Losing a pet can be stressful both us and our animals. Animals who are lost inside the City of Edmonton limits first arrive at the Animal Care & Control Center and those found outside of the City limits may come to the Edmonton Humane Society. Visit our lost pet page to start your search or to help someone on theirs, as well as learn about other ways you can help pets who may be lost.

You can find additional tips and guidance from the City of Edmonton by visiting the page linked below.

Rental Supports for People with Pets

We understand that finding a rental property that accepts pets can be a challenge so we’ve put together a full PDF guide for you to download. This document is full of useful information, advice and links for anyone looking to rent with their animal companion.

Financial Support for Veterinary Care

We understand many people are facing financial challenges in the current economy and thank you for exploring financial support options to ensure your pet can get the veterinary care it needs. Here are some we recommend looking into:

  • Tails of Help
    • If you are low income, disabled or a senior residing within Alberta, speak to your veterinarian about eligibility to provide essential health care (treatment without which the ill or injured animal will die, require humane euthanasia, or cause undue suffering to the pet).
  • Alberta Helping Animals Society
    • If you are qualified low income household or from a vulnerable population, you may be eligible for some assistance which could include no-cost veterinary care for your companion animal.

Other Options to Consider

  • Inquire at your veterinary clinic about payment options or plans.
  • Ask friends or family members for assistance.
  • Consider financing through Petcard
  • Many VCA Canada Veterinary Centres have a financing option through PayBright and recommended pet insurance providers.
  • Search for personal lending organizations that help with pet care/veterinary loans.

We also highly recommend checking out pet insurance options to help cover the costs of unexpected veterinary care in the future.

Food Banks for Pets

EHS Pet Pantry

If you or someone you know is struggling to feed their pet – we can help. Our Pet Pantry program helps pet owners facing financial barriers access food and supplies for their companion animals.

Other Pet Food Banks to Consider

The following food banks and organizations help to provide pet food supplies:

*Note: if you are viewing on mobile, you may need to scroll right on the below table to see the contact details for each food bank.

Location Website Phone
Edmonton Boyle Street’s Pet Food Bank (drop-in) Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Access through the West side gate of Boyle Street Community Services.

587-334-2906
Edmonton Bethel Gospel Chapel (drop-in) Mondays from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

11461 – 95 street

N/A
Edmonton Contact to Request and Schedule Pick-up

Edmonton Food Bank (Food hampers can include pet food)

780-425-4190
Edmonton Contact to Request and Schedule Pick-up

ALPL Pet Food Bank

See Website or Email: [email protected]
Edmonton Contact to Request and Schedule Pick-up

Alberta Animal Rescue Crew North Haven

587-498-0813
Edmonton & Alberta (Outside Calgary) Alberta SPCA Help for Animals See Website for Contact Form
Calgary AARCS Food Assistance Program Request Online
Red Deer Alberta Animal Services or Red Deer Food Bank 403-347-2388 / 403-346-1505
Lethbridge City of Lethbridge Pet Food Bank 403-320-4099
Nanton NAPS Pet Food Bank
Fort McMurray Fort McMurray SPCA Pet Food Bank 780-743-8997
Across Alberta ALPL Pet Food Banks See Website for Contact Info Based on Location

Food Banks for People

The below food banks for people may also have some supplies for pets. We recommend calling in advance to check supplies.

*Note: if you are viewing on mobile, you may need to scroll right on the below table to see the contact details for each food bank.

Location Website Phone
Edmonton Edmonton’s Food Bank 780-425-4190
Airdrie Airdrie Food Bank 403-948-0063
Athabasca Athabasca Good Samaritan Ministries Association 780-675-3556
Brooks Brooks Food Bank Foundation 403-793-2535
Calgary Calgary Food Bank 403-253-2055
Cochrane Cochrane Activettes Food Bank 403-932-9290
Cold Lake Cold Lake Food Bank (Tritown) 780-594-4172
Edson Edson Food Bank Society 780-723-1350
Fort MacLeod Fort Macleod Salvation Army Food Bank 403-553-2875
Fort Saskatchewan Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank 780-998-4099
High River Foothills Salvation Army Food Bank 403-652-2195 (ext.2)
High Level High Level Native Friendship Center 780-926-3355
Lethbridge Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank 403-320-8779
Irricana Irricana Food Bank 403-935-4911
Lac St. Anne Lac St. Anne East Food Bank Society 780-271-3131
Leduc Leduc & District Food Bank Association 780-986-5333
Lloydminster Lloydminster Salvation Army Food Bank 780-875-9166
Lloydminster Lloydminster Olive Tree Community Center 780-870-1060
Medicine Hat Medicine Hat & District Food Bank 403-528-4313
Nanton Nanton Ministerial Food Bank 403-926-7621 / 403-601-4201
Okotoks Okotoks Food Bank Association 403-651-6629
Parkland County (including Spruce Grove and Stony Plain) Parkland Food Bank Society 780-962-4565
Red Deer Red Deer Food Bank 403-342-5355
Sexsmith Sexsmith & Area Food Bank 780-296-0939
St. Albert St.Albert Food Bank 780-459-0599
Taber Taber Food Bank Society 403-223-1833
Three Hills Three Hills Food Bank 403-443-1005
Tofield Tofield-Ryley & Area Food Bank 780-662-3511
Tsuut’ina Tsuut’ina Food Bank 403-252-5884
Wetaskiwin Wetaskiwin Salvation Army Food Bank 780-352-4708 / 780-352-2416
Wheatland County (Strathmore) Wheatland County Food Bank Society 403-324-4335
Whitecourt Whitecourt Interagency Food Bank 780-778-2341
Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray) Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association 780-743-1125

Emergency Preparedness With Pets

Being prepared for an emergency in advance will give you peace of mind that both you and your pets will have what you need in the event of a crisis.

It is recommended that you have 14 days worth of supplies. You can learn more about the steps you can take to make sure you and your animal companions are prepared in case of an emergency by reading our article linked below.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Government of Canada Get Prepared website.

Emergency Boarding Services

The following programs are available in Alberta for those requiring emergency boarding for their pets:

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Government of Alberta also offers a 24-hour Family Violence Information Line with anonymous support at 310-1818, or find more information here.

Questions? Contact us.