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A better future for
Alberta’s animals
The Alberta SPCA outlines a four-year strategic plan,
thanks to ECF support
By LISA CATTERALL
OVER THE PAST 65 YEARS, the Alberta Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Alberta SPCA) has
improved the lives of countless animals across the
province, from dogs and cats to horses and cattle. But, like
many animal welfare organizations, the society has been
facing increased demand in recent years, making it even
harder to ensure animals across the province have safe,
healthy homes.
“The animal welfare community is stressed, probably
more than it ever has been. Everyone is feeling the
pressure,” explains Leanne Niblock, Executive Director of
the Alberta SPCA.
“There are so many things contributing to the stress on
the system, but I think the rising cost of living is impacting
a lot of folks. If you have to make a decision whether to pay
your rent or buy food for your animals, that’s a really hard
place to be.”
While the Alberta SPCA doesn’t operate a brick-and-
mortar shelter, it does remove animals from distress across
the province, and works with partner shelters to find loving
homes for those animals. It also enforces animal protection
legislation and runs community outreach education
programs to support animal owners.
“Our partners in the community are very important to
us,” says Niblock. “We all work together. Whether they’re
taking care of animals or livestock for us or if they’re helping
us move companion animals into loving homes, we’re all
part of a big, complex system.”
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