Our Vision

The Medicine Hat Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) is guided by a humane ethic to build a community that universally values animals, understands their needs and takes action to meet them.

Our Values

  • Integrity: exemplifying honesty, trust and transparency

  • Respect: interacting with empathy, compassion and dignity

  • Professionalism: demonstrating ethics, fairness, responsibility and accountability

  • Sustainability: organizational alignment, fiscal responsibility, careful stewardship

  • Education: advocacy for responsible pet ownership, humane treatment and overpopulation

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide protective care for sick, injured and unwanted animals. Through our community programs, we strive to promote humane attitudes and responsible companion animal ownership. We strive to create a world in which all animals, in particular those animals whose lives we can influence, enjoy, as a minimum, five essential freedoms.

5 ESSENTIAL FREEDOMS

  • Freedom from hunger & thirst

  • Freedom from pain, injury & disease

  • Freedom from distress

  • Freedom from discomfort

  • Freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being

2023 FINANCIALS
2023 Annual Report
2023 Animal Statistics

Brief History

1979

Medicine Hat SPCA was established. Without funds for a location, the SPCA utilized a few foster homes willing to take in homeless animals.

1988

The first SPCA Shelter was opened. They bought a second-hand mobile home, renovated it and a few years later, raised enough money to put on an addition.

1994

The present Medicine Hat SPCA Adopt-A-Pet Facility opened in June 1994, thanks to a very large bequest from Dr. A.C. Ahrens and Frances Ahrens. With the very generous legacy, the building at 55 Southwest Drive SW was purchased and fully renovated to suit their needs and the needs of the animals.

2016

In January 2016, the SPCA ended their Pound Services contract with the City (now operated by APARC). The SPCA returned to their roots of animal rescue and adoption.

2017

In September 2017, the SPCA adopted a policy stating that they will not euthanize healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full. However, some animals relinquished to their facility are too sick, injured or aggressive to be treated or rehabilitated, making humane euthanasia necessary to prevent prolonged suffering or to ensure the healthy and safety of the shelter population and/or the public.

Our Top Dogs

Shelter Staff

Kaylee Getz
Kaylee GetzShelter Director and Animal Health Lead
Morgan Widmer
Morgan WidmerFund Development Coordinator
Kennel Technicians
Kennel Technicians& Administration

Board of Directors

Ryan Kessell
Ryan KessellPresident
Jacqui Pederson
Jacqui PedersonDirector
Anna Marie Clark
Anna Marie Clark Treasurer
Richard Schear
Richard SchearDirector
Sharon Weiss
Sharon WeissDirector
Tobie Syverson
Tobie SyversonSecretary
Stacey Fettig
Stacey FettigDirector

Interested In Joining The SPCA Board?

We are currently recruiting new members. Applications will be screened and successful applicants will be asked to participate in an interview. Like any organization, we want to attract the very best talent the Medicine Hat region has to offer. Applications are available for download here and must be emailed, mailed or delivered to the SPCA along with cover letter.

Board Member Application

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t find the answer you are looking for below, please contact the Medicine Hat SPCA and we’re happy to help you.

Yes. We operate independently of all other humane organizations.

Our hours are:

Tuesday to Friday 12 Noon to 6 pm

Saturday 12 Noon to 5 pm

We are currently closed Sunday, Monday, and Stat holidays

NOTE: We are closed from time to time for staff training please check with the office for possible closures.

We believe in the humane treatment of animals. There are instances when animals are euthanized under our care due to an untreatable condition. This is conducted by a veterinarian with accordance with the SPCA policy. We never euthanize for space, age or breed, but rather manage a “Capacity for Care” system that utilizes a managed wait list system when our facility is full.

For your safety, do not approach an unknown animal.

Instead: note the breed, colour, size and location of the dog; and call Bylaw Enforcement at 403-529-8400 to request pickup of the dog. The Bylaw Officer will take the dog to the Alberta Pound & Rescue Centre (APARC).

The team at the SPCA understands that surrendering your companion animal, for whatever reason, can be an emotional decision. If you need to relinquish your animal, we ask that you please call 403-526-7722 to schedule an appointment. There is small fee to transfer your animal to our care.

RELINQUISHMENT FEES:

DOGS

  • $50.00 Intact
  • $25.00 Spayed or Neutered

CATS

  • $50.00 Intact
  • $25.00 Spayed or Neutered

RABBITS

  • $25.00 All

SMALL ANIMALS

  • $5.00