COVID-19 Updates from EHS

This page is updated regularly with information about how EHS is responding to COVID-19 as the situation develops. To review our most up-to-date program statuses and updates, see below:

Have questions on how COVID-19 may impact pets?





CURRENT STATUS OF PROGRAMS/SERVICES

Status Legend:

  • Modified – program/service is currently running with changes
  • On Hold / Temporarily Closed – program/service is not running at this time
  • Cancelled – program/service will not be running in 2022

Program or Service Current Status Expected Opening
Admitting Modified Limited intake of animals by appointment dependent on availability, including: emergencies, surrenders, and healthy stray dogs and small animals (found outside Edmonton).

For information on surrendering a pet, click here.

For emergencies or strays found outside Edmonton, call 780-491-3522.

Drop-off and pick-up may be done curbside.

Adoptions Modified Adoption requests are to be submitted online. Following submission of request, an in-person meet-and-greet by appointment will be scheduled.

Click here for details on how to adopt.

Limited in-person browsing of the Adoption Gallery is also available. To book your appointment, call 780-491-3500 or email [email protected].

Bingo’s Pet Shop Modified In-person shopping available by appointment, click here to email or call 780-491-3510

Online ordering with curbside pick-up remains available.

For questions or items not available on Bingo’s Online Shop, call 780-491-3510 or email [email protected].

Central Bark Off-Leash Dog Park Modified Open. Click here for membership details.
Cremations Modified By appointment only. Click here for details.
Gift-In-Kind Donations Modified We are currently accepting new and gently used, clean items from our wish list. Items can be dropped off in the green bin outside of our adoption doors.

You can also order items through our Amazon Wish List to have them shipped directly to the shelter. Financial gifts may also be made online here.

Humane Education Programming Modified Available by virtual delivery only. To see the current programs, click here for details.

Visit Humane Education At Home and for free individual resources and activities.

Kids’ Birthday Parties On Hold On Hold. Click here to learn more. 
Kids’ Camps Modified Spring Break 2022 camps cancelled. Summer Break Camps TBD.
Mobile PALS Unit On Hold Remains on hold. Expected opening Spring 2022.
Muddy Paws Dog Wash Temporarily Closed Open by appointment. Click here to reserve your time
Private Behaviour Consultations Modified Virtual and In-Person consultations available.Click here for details. 
Rentals On Hold Re-opening date TBD.
Spay & Neuter Programs (PALS, TNR) Modified PALS Applications now open for 2022. Click here for details.

TNR Program currently fully booked. Click here for details.

Training Classes Modified In person training classes available. Click here to register 

View free behaviour resources here.

Volunteer Programs Modified Select volunteer roles are open. Additional roles and new volunteer applications will re-open on an as-needed basis. 

Click here for details.

STATUS OF EVENTS

Event Name Current Status
Pets in the Park 2022 Save the date for Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Hawrelak Park! Click here for details.
MADE for PETS: Summer Edition TBD
Puttin’ Fore Paws Golf Tournament Hosted by Benefit Consultants Inc. TBD
MADE for PETS: Winter Edition TBD
Pet Pics with Santa 2021 TBD


Statuses Last Updated: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. MDT

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY RESPONDS TO PROVINCIAL RESTRICTION CHANGES
Moving Forward Cautiously to Keep Our Team & Community Safe

February 15, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. MDT

With last week’s announcement from Government of Alberta to lift public health restrictions over the coming weeks, as well as the City of Edmonton’s decision to not pursue a municipal Restrictions Exemption Program (REP), the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has re-evaluated our current health measures.

While we all wish for the pandemic to end, we also recognize that is not the reality in our community yet. As we have maintained throughout the pandemic, our priority remains keeping our team safe, so we can continue to provide our important programs and services to the community and the animals who rely on us. With that, we will again be taking a cautious, measured, and thoughtful approach to our own re-opening plan.

Effective immediately, and in line with the province’s removal of the REP, we will no longer be checking for proof of vaccination and/or negative tests/medical exemption for visitors to the shelter. With the province no longer enforcing this program, we realize this puts our staff in a very difficult position if we were to continue to check vaccine status, so this is why we have made the decision to remove this requirement.

All other safety precautions remain for the time being, including:

  • Mandatory masking indoors for staff, volunteers, and visitors over 2 years of age, in accordance with City of Edmonton by-law
  • Physical distancing and limited entry into the shelter, by appointment only
  • Daily health screening for staff, volunteers, and contractors
  • Requirement for staff and volunteers to fully vaccinated or undergo regular testing

Starting Tuesday, February 15, we will open the adoption gallery by appointment for browsing, so that we continue to minimize the number of people in our building at any given time. Bingo’s Pet Shop will also be open for in-person shopping to those with adoption gallery appointments. To book your appointment, please contact our adoptions team by phone at 780-491-3500 or by email at [email protected].

While we are all hoping for the best as we move forward, we will do whatever we need to do to keep our team, and the community who supports us, safe and healthy. I wish to recognize our team for their tremendous efforts to protect each other. And I wish to thank you, our community, for your ongoing understanding and support.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

Past Updates & Statements

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY IMPLEMENTING RESTRICTIONS EXEMPTION PROGRAM
Will Come into Effect Tuesday, October 4

October 4, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m. MDT

Since the pandemic began, we have worked hard at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) to do everything we can to protect the health and safety of our team while safeguarding our important work and the animals who depend on us. As part of these efforts, we have been continually reviewing our safety measures and policies to ensure we are using every tool that’s available for the best possible protection.

Following the announcement of the Restrictions Exemption Program by the Government of Alberta, we sought guidance on whether we are considered an in-scope operator, due to the variety of our programs and services falling under multiple areas. We have now received confirmation from the Government of Alberta that we can implement the program as a multi-use facility, and will be starting as of tomorrow, Tuesday October 5.

Going forward, the following programs and services will require proof of vaccination, a negative test, or medical exemption letter (for visitors aged 12 and up only) — along with photo ID — prior to entry: adoption appointments, dog training classes and behaviour consultations, Muddy Paws Dog Wash, and Central Bark Dog Park. Please note that EHS remains closed to walk-in visitors, and these services will continue by appointment for the time being.

All other services will be provided curbside or virtually. Bingo’s Pet Shop will be closed to in-person shopping as retail remains out-of-scope, however online ordering with curbside pick-up is available. Curbside options for adoptions will also be available in certain cases for those unable to provide the required documentation to enter our facility.

EHS has also implemented a policy for staff and volunteers which requires proof of vaccination or ongoing testing.

Taking these steps will allow us to keep as many of our critical programs and services operating as possible. Our only alternative if we chose to opt-out of the program would be to further reduce or shut down specific services, which is not a sustainable path forward to fulfill our mission while serving our community.

Our organization remains committed to doing everything we can to protect our staff, volunteers and you – our supporters – so we can be here for the animals who need us most while minimizing the transmission of COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and compassion as we introduce these additional safety measures.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY RE-OPENING DELAYED

MOST PROGRAMS & SERVICES CONTINUE BY APPOINTMENT

September 8, 2021 @ 1:00 p.m. MDT

Back in June, we were hopeful that we could safely open our doors by now and welcome visitors back into our shelter. Unfortunately, the situation in Alberta has since changed, and with it we’ve had to make the difficult decision to delay our re-opening.

Our priority has been, and continues to be, keeping our team safe. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve maintained a cautious approach so that we ensure we are here for the animals who need us. The actions we have taken have proven effective for keeping our team safe, and we remain committed to taking these steps for as long as necessary. It is also important to us that we do our part to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.

While we’re unable to accept walk-in visitors at this time, nearly all our programs and services have been modified to ensure safety and are operating either by appointment or virtually. This includes adoptionsadmissionsdog training and behaviour consultationsCentral Bark off-leash dog parkMuddy Paws dog washkids’ birthday partiesdonation drop-offPALS spay and neuter program, and more. You can also now shop online at Bingo’s Pet Shop with our new virtual store.

For additional details on programs and services, view our current status list above.

I am so proud of our team, both staff and volunteers, who have remained resilient, dedicated to safety, and open to change as we’ve continually had to adapt these past 18 months. I also feel tremendously grateful to our community for your ongoing understanding and support. We would not be here without you.

Though we can’t meet inside our shelter just yet, I am looking forward to re-connecting with many of you at our modified Pets in the Park: Neighbourhood Edition, happening Sunday, September 19. We invite you to participate with us from your own neighbourhood by signing up for the virtual walk/run, then meeting with us safely outdoors at our five pop-up sites in local dog parks around the city to celebrate the incredible bond we have with our pets. The value of their companionship has never been so evident.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and take care.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY RE-OPENING PLANS

WORKING TOWARDS REGULAR OPERATIONS FOR BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

June 4, 2021 @ 3:35 p.m. MDT

Following the announcement of Alberta’s re-opening plans, we at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) have built our own staged re-opening plan which will be rolled out over the coming months. Our approach remains measured and cautious, with a priority on keeping our team safe and being here for the animals who have nowhere else to go. We will be taking our time to ensure the transition for each program and service is safe and smooth.

The first changes will happen Monday, July 5, for the following services:

  • Central Bark Dog Park re-opens
  • In-person training classes and private behaviour consults resume
  • Bingo’s Pet Shop open by appointment
  • Adoptions remain by-appointment, with meet-and-greets taking place inside the shelter instead of outdoors or virtually

All other programs and services remain as-is for the time being, offered either virtually or by appointment/curbside. Additional changes will happen throughout the summer as we gradually re-open, aiming to open our doors and fully resume regular operations in early September.

Any updates, along with the current status of each program/service, will continue to be posted on this page.

This has been a trying 15 months for everyone, and never did we imagine last March that this is where we would still be today. We are so very grateful for our community’s ongoing support and understanding throughout this time, and as we work to re-open. Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming you back through our doors soon.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY REMAINS CLOSED TO VISITORS

CRITICAL SERVICES FOR PETS & PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE DELIVERED SAFELY

May 5, 2021 @ 4:35 p.m. MDT

Throughout the pandemic, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has maintained a cautious, thoughtful, and measured approach in our response to COVID-19. Our priority has, and continues to be, keeping our team safe so that we can be here for the animals who need us.

That is why through the second and now third wave of cases over the last six months, not much has changed with how we are operating. We have found new ways to deliver our critical programs and services to support people and animals, which have proven effective at keeping our team safe while doing our part to protect the community.

With the most recent change in Alberta’s restrictions announced yesterday, we will maintain our current approach and will be staying closed to visitors. There will be one minor adjustment to our private behaviour consultations, which will be offered virtually rather than in-person. Here is a snapshot of where we are at now:

  • Adoptions continue to be conducted through our modified, online process, with meet-and-greets happening outdoors for dogs (with masks required) and virtually for cats and small animals.
  • All in-person classes for Training and Humane Education are paused. Virtual options are available.
  • Bingo’s Pet Shop, Muddy Paws Dog Wash and Central Bark Dog Park remain closed.
  • PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) spay/neuter services are being offered by appointment, with curbside pick-up and drop-off. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) will launch in a similar way soon.
  • New admissions are being taken in daily, including strays (found outside the City of Edmonton), owner surrenders, and transfers from other organizations. All admissions remain by appointment in line with our capacity for care.

The status of all programs and services can be viewed at the top of this page.

Early last month we began welcoming back limited volunteer roles for those who have been trained on EHS’ COVID-19 protocols, to provide additional support with the care, socialization, and enrichment of shelter animals. We are grateful to those who have returned and are looking forward to the day when we can further open volunteer roles.

I cannot emphasize enough how thankful we are to have the continued support and understanding from you, our community. You have carried us through this past year, and it is because of you that EHS will be here long after this pandemic ends. My thoughts are with those of you who have been affected by COVID-19, and I sincerely hope you are all staying safe.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY FURTHER MODIFIES SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO STRONGER PROVINCIAL HEALTH MEASURES

December 11, 2020 @ 4:30 p.m. MST

In response to the stronger provincial health measures coming into place, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is making further modifications to our programs and services, including adoptions.

We recognize how critical the current situation is with COVID-19 in our community. While we are considered an essential service as an animal shelter, it is important that right now we do everything we can to protect our core services so we can continue to be here for the animals who rely on us. This means keeping our staff as safe as possible while doing our part to protect our volunteers and the community who support our work.

Further to the changes we announced on November 25, we are making the following modifications effective Saturday, December 12:

  • Closing all in-shelter volunteer shifts until further notice
  • Temporarily closing our retail location Bingo’s Pet Shop
  • Moving back to virtual meet-and-greets with curbside pick-up for cats and small animals. Dog meet-and-greets will be conducted outdoors with mask wearing required.

EHS staff will continue to be at the shelter seven days a week fulfilling the health and welfare needs of our animals and adopting animals safely into their new homes.

As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, we remind pet guardians to have an emergency plan in place in the event you become ill or must isolate. Tips for emergency preparedness with pets, along with additional resources if you are experiencing challenges during this time, can be found on our COVID-19 Resources for Pet Guardians page.

We are extremely grateful for your continued understanding and support, especially through the holiday season. Thank you from all of us, and the animals who count on us to be here.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY ADAPTING SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO NEW HEALTH MEASURES

November 25, 2020 @ 11 a.m. MST

Throughout this pandemic, our priority at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has been keeping people and pets safe. It is particularly vital that we protect our staff and volunteers, so we can be here for the homeless animals who depend on us. We also believe it is important to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, to protect the community who makes our work possible.

Following the new measures announced by the Government of Alberta on Tuesday, November 24, EHS will be making changes to our programs and services, including some additional voluntary measures in an extra effort to protect our team and community. The below changes will come into effect on Friday, November 27, with the exception of Central Bark Dog Park.

The following services will be temporarily closed:

  • Central Bark Dog Park (closed effective immediately)
  • Doggie Daycare
  • Dog training classes
  • Muddy Paws Dog Wash

The following programs and services will continue on a modified basis:

The following programs will be put on hold:

  • The Dog Behaviour & Training Methodology (DBTM) course that is currently in progress
  • Rentals of EHS spaces for group programs and events

Customers impacted by the above-mentioned changes will be contacted directly. A full list of EHS’ services and their current status can be viewed here.

As an animal shelter, many of EHS’ services are deemed essential. We are committed to doing everything we can to keep offering our critical services for people and animals in a safe and sustainable manner.

Our valued staff and volunteers will still be at our shelter seven days a week, providing compassionate care to our shelter animals and helping them find new homes. I want to take a moment to applaud the ongoing dedication of these individuals, who selflessly come in day after day to tend to the health and welfare of our animals despite the many challenges and changes that COVID-19 has brought. And to our administrative staff who have seamlessly adapted to working from home to keep our organization running behind-the-scenes, thank you.

Of course, we could not keep doing our work without the support of our community. I have been truly touched by each person who has generously donated or reached out to show their support, especially over the past eight months as you too have struggled through the uncertainty of these times.

As public health recommendations evolve, we will post any further updates to our response on this page.

Thank you, and please stay safe,

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY TO BEGIN OFFERING SELECT SERVICES BY APPOINTMENT

June 23, 2020 @ 6:00 PM MDT

With Alberta having recently moved into Stage 2 of the provincial re-launch strategy, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is now ready to enter phase two of our own re-launch. This means we will begin welcoming members of the public back into the shelter for specific services, by appointment.

Changes to services in phase two include:

  • Adopters will still be required to begin their adoption process through our online form, and starting today will have the option to schedule an appointment in-shelter for their meet-and-greet and consultation, as well as shop at Bingo’s Pet Shop when they pick up their new pet.
  • Animal intake will expand to include healthy stray dogs and small animals (found outside Edmonton) as well as increased surrenders by appointment.
  • Central Bark Dog Park will re-open to members July 1.
  • The Doggie Daycare and Muddy Paws Dog Wash will re-open July 2.
  • Dog training classes and behaviour consultations will start being offered in early July.

Clients of our Central Bark Dog Park, Doggie Daycare and training classes that were in progress when we closed will be contacted directly with more information in the coming days.

We are also looking forward to bringing back a limited number of volunteers to support animal care and enrichment in early July.

If our team is not healthy, we cannot be here to care for the health and welfare of the animals who depend on us each day. Therefore, we will be taking great attention and care as we move into this phase, as our priority remains keeping our staff, volunteers and greater community safe and healthy.

With health and safety top-of-mind, there are a number of measures we have put in place, including:

  • Adopters and any visitors with an appointment will be required to check in with security upon arrival.
  • All people entering the shelter are required to wear a non-surgical mask, per AHS guidelines, and must hand sanitize upon entering.
  • Protective barriers are in place at desks where staff and customers interact.
  • All employees, volunteers and contractors will undergo a mandatory daily health screening prior to entering the shelter.
  • Increased cleaning and sanitization protocols are in place, especially of high-touch surfaces.

We appreciate our community’s understanding and co-operation with these measures so we can continue to enrich the lives of people and animals and look forward to serving you in person soon!

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

ONLINE ADOPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

June 10, 2020 @ 2:30 PM MDT

Today, I’m excited to share with you that we can now facilitate online adoptions!

This new adoption process has been created to ensure the health and safety of you, our staff and our greater community while connecting pets with their new families. Some of the modifications we’ve made to ensure this include:

  • adoptions are done by appointment only;
  • requests to adopt must first be completed online;
  • where possible, we are doing virtual meet-and-greets. For dogs who require an in-person meet-and-greet, it is being done outdoors to maintain physical distancing, and;
  • curbside pick-up is being arranged to take home your new pet.

You can view all the details about our online adoption process here.

We have been testing out this new adoption process over the last two weeks with those who had expressed interested in adopting through our website since we had to put the program on hold in mid-March. It has been thrilling to start seeing animals go to their forever homes again, and I am so grateful that many people are choosing to adopt an animal in need.

I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to all the foster parents who kindly opened their homes to these animals when we closed in March, so that they could avoid a long-term stay in shelter. For those of you who decided to make the animal in your care a forever pet, congratulations on your new addition to the family! I also want to thank our animal care, medical and behaviour staff who remained dedicated to looking after the animals at the shelter day in and day out when they weren’t ready for a foster home. Their commitment to these animals has been remarkable during a time when we haven’t known what the future will bring. Our foster volunteers and staff have played a vital part of these animals’ journeys to find their new families.

Today marks a key milestone in the staged relaunch of all EHS’ programs and services with the opening of this new adoption process. We are continuing to take a thoughtful and measured approach to opening, so that we do not jeopardize the health of our staff and greater community – which ultimately, would have a negative impact on the animals who rely on us.

With the Government of Alberta having recently announced that the province’s stage two will begin this Friday, June 12, we are working hard to start our own second stage. This will include opening more in-person services at our shelter, with limitations to adhere to physical distancing and public health guidelines. More details on the timing of our second stage will be announced within the next two weeks. For information on how we’re approaching EHS’ relaunch, see our May 15 update here.

EHS – and the animals we serve – is so lucky to have such a loyal community who cares deeply about the welfare of animals. Thank you for your continued support of our work. And to those of you who are planning to adopt, we look forward to helping you find your new pet!

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

AN UPDATE ON THE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY’S RELAUNCH PLAN

May 15, 2020 @ 1:00 PM MST

It’s hard to believe we are approaching the two-month mark since we at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS), and many other organizations, had to make the difficult decision to close our doors to the general public and learn how to navigate a world with COVID-19.

I have been so proud of the way our staff have handled this uncertain and ever-changing time, maintaining a steadfast commitment to ensuring the health and welfare needs of the animals who depend on us. During this time, we have been able to:

  • keep taking in emergency cases of animals in distress,
  • move 70% of our animals into foster homes to avoid a long-term stay in shelter,
  • shift our shelter operations model to focus on safely supporting our foster volunteers,
  • provide virtual private consultations for those experiencing behaviour issues with their pets while home, and;
  • provide online resources to help pet guardians navigate the pandemic with their pets.

It is vital that as we prepare to relaunch more programs and services, we continue to keep our staff healthy so that we can be here for the animals.

This is why we will be taking a thoughtful and measured approach to our staged relaunch, with the following principles guiding every decision:

  • Staff health and safety
  • Animal welfare
  • Community health

We know people are eager to return to a sense of normalcy in their lives with their pets – we are too. But we also recognize that if we rush to open, we could jeopardize the health of our staff and greater community. Although we’ll be prepared to be flexible, we want to avoid having to go backwards at any point, which could compromise the care of our shelter animals who have nowhere else to turn.

Our re-launch stages will be coordinated in line with the Government of Alberta’s strategy, and you can expect to see changes in our programs and services beginning approximately two weeks after each new provincial stage is reached. This will give us the necessary time to ensure we have the staffing, equipment, policies, procedures and training in place to optimally serve both people and pets while adhering to our guiding principles.

With Alberta having entered stage one on May 14, we are preparing to enter our own stage one for the beginning of June. This will include re-opening our adoptions through a modified, appointment-based process. Those who have been looking forward to getting a pet and who wish to be notified when adoptions are open can let us know here. We will gradually be bringing back the many animals who have been enjoying the last few months in foster care so that they can move into their forever homes, and are also working towards launching other services virtually. We will continue to limit the access to our shelter, again in an effort to keep our staff and the community healthy.

Our second stage is where we will begin to start serving people and pets in-person again, with limitations to maintain physical distancing. This would include our Bingo’s Pet Shop, Doggy Daycare, Training and Humane Education Classes, Muddy Paws Self-Serve Dog Wash, Central Bark Dog Park, and some volunteer programs. More information on what this will look like and when this will happen will be released once we know when the Government of Alberta is moving to stage two.

There are some programs and services, and in particular events, that we know sadly won’t be revived this year due to the impact of COVID-19. This includes our spay/neuter program in the mobile PALS unit, which does not have the space to safely accommodate physical distancing. For events, Pets in the Park, MADE for PETS: Summer Edition, and Dog Dive won’t be possible in their traditional formats either. We look forward to bringing our community together every year with these events and we know this news will disappoint pet guardians and pet lovers alike. A virtual, re-imagined version of Pets in the Park is in the works, however.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we move through these stages with care so that we can ensure we remain here for the animals. Your support makes our work possible, and it will be more important than ever as the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on people and pets are realized.

Thank you for continuing to be here for EHS, and the animals who count on us.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT RE-LAUNCH STRATEGY

May 1, 2020 @ 9:00 PM MST

The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is aware that both the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton have started to release details on their re-launch strategy.

We are in the process of reviewing these plans and preparing our own phased re-launch for EHS’ programs and services. Our priority remains keeping our staff safe and healthy so we can ensure optimal welfare for the animals in our care, while following the advice of public health authorities to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

At this time, we remain closed to the public and the status of our programs and services has not changed. We are still here for those animals who need us most and continue to take in animals on an emergency basis.

Any updates on the status of our programs and services will be posted on this page when available.

Thank you for your continued support,

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE BY THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT

March 30, 2020 @ 3:00 PM MST

The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) was thankful to learn on Friday evening that as an animal shelter, we are considered an essential service by the Alberta Government during this unprecedented time, along with other businesses who “provide for the health and welfare of animals.”

Animals, and the bond we have with them, play an important role in our lives and the greater community. We are grateful that the Province has recognized this and ensured animal welfare can be sustained by services like ours despite the challenges we all currently face. Without our shelter and the staff who are committed to caring for our animals, these vulnerable lives would have nowhere else to turn.

While we are now considered an essential service, EHS will continue to remain closed to the general public and volunteers to minimize traffic to the shelter and do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19. We will be here for those who most need us though, and continue to take in animals on an emergency basis. Anyone who has an animal that may need to come to our facility is reminded to call the EHS admitting department first at 780-491-3522 to make an appointment.

I also want to extend my personal thanks to all of those in our community who have continued to show support for EHS and our animals during these trying times. To those of you who have purchased spring lottery tickets, made monetary gifts, opened your homes to foster an animal, and sent kind-hearted messages of support – thank you. It is you who makes our work possible and keeps us going in this extraordinary situation.

Our team remains dedicated no matter what happens next, and we will continue to share any updates or new information as it arises to this page.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY CLOSING TO GENERAL PUBLIC DUE TO COVID-19 TO FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL SERVICES ONLY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

March 17, 2020 @ 10:30 AM MST

In an effort to limit the transmission of COVID-19 and with our priority on keeping people and pets in our community healthy and safe, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has made the decision to close our facility to the general public effective immediately until further notice.

This will include the closure, cancellation and/or postponement of the following programs and services:

  • Adoptions
  • Bingo’s Pet Shop
  • Central Bark Dog Park
  • Dog training classes
  • Doggie Daycare
  • Dog Behaviour & Training Methodology (DBTM) course
  • Humane education programs, including field trips, tours and birthday parties
  • Corporate volunteer groups
  • Rentals of EHS spaces for group programs and events
  • PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) spay/neuter appointments

Those impacted by the above-mentioned programs and services will be contacted directly.

During this closure we will focus on maintaining essential services, recognizing our important role in the community to serve pets in need. Animal care and medical staff will continue working to ensure our shelter animals have their health and welfare needs met throughout this time. EHS will also continue to take in a limited number of animals on an emergency basis, including the following:

  • Stray animals found outside of the city who are in distress due to illness or injury
  • Owner surrender animals who are in distress due to illness or injury or who are unable to find any alternative care arrangements
  • Transfers from partner agencies who have limited or no space for housing animals

Anyone who has an animal that may need to come to our facility is asked to call the EHS admitting department first at 780-491-3522 to make an appointment. Walk-ins cannot be accepted, as we must ensure we have the space and resources to properly care for each animal prior to their arrival.

We also want to take this opportunity to remind people that stray, adult cats who appear to be healthy should be left where they are. Cats have a ten times greater chance of finding their way home when left in their neighbourhood than when they are brought into an animal shelter. The City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC) should be contacted by calling 311 for concerns regarding strays found within city limits.

We are preparing for the possibility that due to the need for taking in animals while few animals are leaving our care, we may reach our capacity. While EHS will not euthanize any animal for time or space, it is imperative that we do not go over-capacity as this would compromise the welfare of the animals in our shelter. To ensure this does not happen, we are looking for emergency foster volunteers who would be willing to take in an animal, potentially for an extended period of time. Anyone who is able to help can sign up online here.

Please note that if you have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, have had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, extreme tiredness) you will not be eligible to foster for the time being.

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our community to support our work with caring for and re-homing abused, neglected and homeless companion animals. Donations to help us to continue our work during this challenging time are greatly appreciated, and can be made anytime online here. Although we are grateful to regularly receive donations of goods, we ask that people do not drop off items at our shelter while we are closed and instead donate their gifts online.

We continue to closely monitor the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19 and will post any updates regarding our response on to this page.

Thank you all for your understanding and continued support,

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society

UPDATE @ 5:00 PM MST

Due to the outpouring of support from our community, we have temporarily closed applications for becoming a foster volunteer. We are incredibly grateful to everyone for their generosity and willingness to help animals in need.

Those who applied to become a foster volunteer that are not immediately matched with an animal will be kept on our foster contact list for when new animals come into our care who may be in need of fostering. In the meantime if you wish to support the care of our shelter animals, monetary donations are always appreciated and can be made online here.

We will re-open the application form when we are in need of more foster volunteers. Those who are still interested in fostering can sign up here to be notified when are accepting applications again.

EHS Response to COVID-19 & Recommendations for Pet Guardians

March 13, 2020 @ 7:15 PM MST

Over the past week the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has been closely monitoring the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and putting plans and precautionary measures in place to protect the health and safety of people and animals.

In our case as an animal shelter, if our staff, volunteers and supporters are not healthy, we cannot optimally meet the welfare needs of both the companion animals in our shelter and in the greater community.

While Alberta Health Services has assessed the risk of exposure as low at this time, this risk may increase in the coming days and weeks.

In the meantime, we are taking the following steps to reduce the risk of transmission at EHS: 

  • Asking that any individuals who are at high-risk of having or carrying the illness do not enter our shelter. This includes:
    • Those who have traveled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, have had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, extreme tiredness).
  • Requiring that any staff, volunteers or foster parents who experience symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, extreme tiredness) stay at home.
  • Increasing the number of available hand sanitizers around our shelter and asking that everyone hand sanitize upon entering the building.
  • Posting safety messages around the shelter to increase the awareness and educate people on best health practices to limit the spread of illness.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), there is currently no evidence to suggest that the virus is circulating in animals in Canada. As this is a novel illness, this is still being studied however and new information is coming available each day. Pet guardians who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 should following these recommendations from PHAC:  

  • Avoid close contact with pets
    • Do not snuggle or kiss them, or let them lick you, sit on your lap, or sleep in your bed
  • Avoid coughing and sneezing on your animals
  • Have another member of your household care for your animals
    • if this is not possible, always wash your hands before touching or feeding them
  • Limit your animal’s contact with other people and animals
    • this may mean keeping them indoors

To prepare for potentially having to stay at home in quarantine for extended periods of time, we also recommend pet guardians do the following:

  • Have an extra two weeks supply of pet food and supplies available, including any medications
  • Identify an emergency pet sitter who could care for your pet(s) if you fall ill or need to be hospitalized
  • Prepare a sheet with the daily care instructions for the emergency pet sitter, and include your veterinarian’s contact information

We will continue to stay up-to-date with new information that arises on COVID-19 and will make changes as necessary in line with recommendation of our public health agencies, with a priority on keeping people and animals healthy and safe.

This page will be updated regularly with information about how EHS is responding to COVID-19 as the situation develops.

In closing, we thank everyone for your understanding and continued support as we work our way through this evolving situation, and our thoughts go out to all those who have been impacted.

Liza Sunley
CEO
Edmonton Humane Society