Canadian Sheltering

In Canada’s evolving animal-welfare landscape, the role of shelters and supporting organizations has never been more critical. As intake numbers increase, resource pressures mount and the public’s expectation for humane, informed practices continues to rise, it is essential that the sector draws upon a unified network of expertise and data-driven partners. This page has been curated to serve exactly that purpose: it brings together the major national, provincial and regional organizations that support shelters, rescue agencies and community-medicine efforts across the country.

These organizations carry out leadership roles in advocacy, research, funding, training and service delivery. They generate vital data on shelter intakes, adoptions, outcomes and population health; they support capacity-building for spay-neuter and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs; they lobby for stronger legislation and deliver public education about responsible pet ownership. By referencing and collaborating with these trusted resources, shelters of all sizes can align with best practices, access professional networks, and contribute to consistent standards of care across provinces and territories. Ultimately, the combined strength of these organizations enables Canadian shelters to operate smarter, respond faster and serve both animals and communities more effectively.

Humane Canada

Humane Canada (previously the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies)
Humane Canada is Canada’s only national association for animal shelters. The organization is a strong advocate for improving animal welfare and promoting the humane treatment of animals. It represents the interests of animal to government, policy makers, industry and the public.

In recent years, Humane Canada has generated important data about animal issues in Canada. This kind of information is essential for focused and strategic sheltering. Studies and reports include:

The Cats in Canada study – a report on the feline overpopulation crisis in Canada
Canadian Shelter Statistics – data on the number of animals entering shelters and the numbers adopted, returned to their owners or euthanized
The Case for Accessible Spay/Neuter – a report outlining the evidence for the benefits of spay and neuter and the types of initiatives that communities can emulate. The report also “makes recommendations for animal welfare organizations, the veterinary community, and governments to advance accessible spay/neuter”.
Canadian Capacity For Care (C4C) case studies

Humane Canada hosts an annual conference, the Summit for Animals, that brings together animal welfare advocates from across Canada and provides an essential forum for networking and education. This is held in different parts of the country each year. It’s an excellent conference and a wonderful networking opportunity.

Animal Justice

Animal Justice is a Canadian legal advocacy organization that lobbies for better laws to protect animals. “Our lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection legislation, push for the prosecution of animal abusers, and fight for animals in court.

PetSmart Charities of Canada

PetSmart Charities works to save the lives of homeless pets through funding and promoting spay/neuter and adoption programs. According to their website, in 2014, in Ontario, their intervention has saved over 13,000 animals and funded over 5,000 surgeries, with donations and investments of more than $1 million. Click here for information about what types of organizations and programs they will fund and for information about available grants.

British Columbia

British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The BC SPCA is one of the largest animal welfare organizations of its kind in North America. It is a leading animal welfare organization in Canada. It has 36 branches throughout the province. Services include sheltering and adoptions, cruelty investigations, humane education, advocacy and wildlife rehabilitation.

Alberta

Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

As the only organization enforcing animal protection laws province-wide, Alberta SPCA does more than respond when animals are in need — they work to prevent harm before it happens. Through education, advocacy and partnerships with communities, caregivers and government, they are dedicated to building a province where animals are respected and cared for.

Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS)

AARCS is a grassroots animal welfare organization whose goal is to help homeless animals in our community and enact societal change, so that we may all witness a Compassionate World for All Animals.

Saskatchewan Organizations

Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

SaskSPCA is an organization committed to the wellbeing of animals across the province of Saskatchewan. They provide education, advocacy, and outreach where it can be most effective. Our aim is simple: to show the value of compassion, animal companionship, and the unique ways that we are all better together.

Manitoba Organizations

Winnipeg Humane Society

Each year, the WHS supports more than 10,000 animals in the shelter and community. Along with finding animals forever families, the WHS offers community support programs and services that help KEEP animals where they belong – in their loving homes. Their Pet Food Bank, free behaviour helpline, low-cost veterinary services, and emergency boarding programs aim to ensure the bond between people and their pets remains.

Ontario Organizations

Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario

Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario
Animal Shelter Professionals of Ontario (ASPO) is the new name for the former Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario. The animal sheltering industry continues to evolve and we’ve evolved with it! We recognize that all staff working in the industry are professionals and so members of ASPO should be on a level playing field. Membership categories have been updated to reflect this change. The new email address is info@aspo.ca and please visit the website here.

Animal Cruelty and Neglect Investigations

Animal cruelty investigations are now carried out through a provincial agency under the PAWS (Provincial Animal Welfare Services) Act. For information on how to contact an investigator and more about the Act, visit the Ontario Animal Welfare page on the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s website. Call 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625) to report animal cruelty or neglect.

Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition

The Feral Cat Coalition includes Toronto Street Cats, Toronto Animal Services, Toronto Humane Society, Community Cats, Animal Alliance of Canada, Ontario SPCA, Toronto Cat Rescue and Annex Cat Rescue.

The Coalition protects and saves feral cats through trap-neuter-return (TNR) spay/neuter programs, training volunteers and community members to build shelters and care for community cats, and lobbying for better legislation and bylaws.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The OSPCA has changed its role and focus and is no longer the primary agency that investigates and prosecutes animal cruelty in Ontario.

According to its website, the organization “educates on humane and appropriate animal care, reduces pet overpopulation through Spay/Neuter Services, raises awareness about unacceptable practices that harm animals, rescues animals in distress and provides care to all animals in need”.

The OSPCA has website for shelter health professionals, Shelter Health Pro. This helpful resource covers essential topics including health and safety, intake procedures, animal transport, infectious disease management and control, biosecurity and zoonoses.

Québec Organizations

Spa de Québec

The Spa de Québec, or Québec SPCA is a non-profit animal welfare organization that rescues, shelters and re-homes animals in need. They provides temporary shelter for animals, facilitates adoptions, and relies on the community for foster families, volunteers, and donations.

Newfoundland Organizations

SPCA St. John’s

The SPCA St. John’s is an adoption-focused agency helping homeless animals find happy beginnings. We also work encourage and assist with spaying and neutering across the Avalon Peninsula, helping make animal homelessness a thing of the past.

Nova Scotia Organizations

SPCA St. John’s

Proudly following open-admission and no-kill principles, the Nova Scotia SPCA is a registered charity that helps companion animals in need. In 2024, over 24,000 animals were helped through animal rescue, progressive programs, and rehoming opportunities.

PEI Organizations

PEI Humane Society

The PEI Humane Society is the Island’s only shelter for homeless, injured and lost companion animals. They are a registered charitable organization that assists over 1,600 companion animals each year. They provide a number of companion animal services, including enforcing legislation and bylaws for animal control, an adoption program, lost and found companion animal service, emergency housing for animals belonging to this in crisis, 24 hour response for animals in distress and investigation of animal welfare complaints.

New Brunswick Organizations

New Brunswick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The NBSPCA has been on a mission to protect and advocate for animals across our province for more than 120 years. They serve their communities in animal protection, education and advocacy and animal control services.