Calgary Humane Society

Non-profit OrganizationsCanada51-200 Employees

Calgary Humane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated in 1922. At that time, the Society’s mandate included the protection of children, homeless people as well as animals. 

Now, Calgary Humane Society is the only organization providing a service under the Animal Protection Act in Calgary. CHS provides care for surrendered, neglected, abandoned, and abused animals.

The first Shelter was built in 1960 with a capacity to handle 2,500 animals a year. By 1973, the Society was receiving over 8,000 animals a year and it became urgently necessary to construct a new facility. The CHS opened a new animal care centre in 1976 approximately five times the size of the previous Shelter.

In 1988 another campaign, Room to Live, raised enough funds to expand and renovate the Shelter. Through the late 1990's, the CHS helped between 12,000 and 13,000 animals, a figure which represents both stray and owners’ animals. More room was needed to house cats and to accommodate a growing staff of workers and volunteers. 

In 2005, Calgary Humane Society experienced more growth with the “By Leaps and Bounds Capital Campaign” reaching its target of $10 million ensuring that our wonderful, large and safe facility could be constructed, paid for and opened in 2006.

Our mission is clear and simple: To help as many animals as we can. In today’s complex and changing world, we know that to help as many animals as we can, we must be more than a shelter. We must be leaders in education and violence prevention focused on creating a more compassionate tomorrow.

There can be dozens of different reasons for why a helpless animal is exposed to abuse or is abandoned. As Calgary’s first animal welfare organization, we proudly combine our legacy of sheltering with our focus on education. We are Calgary’s only open-admission animal shelter, and this means one simple thing:

We never say no. We never turn an animal away. When they need us, we respond.

Our mission cannot be accomplished without you. Since 1922, your support has created tens of thousands of brighter futures. Together, we will continue to help as many animals as we can!

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