Emergency Boarding
The Calgary Humane Society offers short term housing for people in crisis through the Emergency Boarding program. This is a last resort program for individuals, experiencing crisis and are unable to care for their animals temporarily. Crisis include such disasters as loss of house due to fire or flooding, sudden hospitalization due to a car accident, or other sudden medical emergencies including but not limited to a heart attack, stroke, broken hips, mental health issues and unforeseen surgeries. Individuals entering into a recovery program or rehab centre may also qualify for the EB program depending on the individual circumstances. It is required that if there are families or friends in the individuals life that can take responsibility for boarding at a kennel or veterinary clinic or care for the animal that all these options are exhausted before admittance into the program will be considered. In some cases, surrendering the animal may be strongly suggested.
Program Qualification
Individuals requiring access to the EB Program must be referred by or verified by a recognized service agency or professional, such as a Social Worker or Disaster Response Worker (EMS, Fire fighter, or Police Officer). Admittance to the program is considered only after all criteria have been met, and is granted at the discretion of the CHS.
Program Details
- Length of stay is 21 days. Extension of one week can be granted at the discretion of the CHS.
- Proof of ownership, vaccination history, health care documentation, and ID are required, if available.
- The client is required to sign Owner Agreement.
- Vaccinations and spaying/neutering is provided, if required. Other medical care will be at owner’s expense.
- Animal may be fostered with qualified foster volunteer.
- Animal provided with daily food, water, socialization, exercise and preventive care
- Fee waived for animal surrender
- Visitation is not permitted, however the owner can call to check on status of the animal
- Strictly confidential - client anonymity is guaranteed
Program Contact
Non-Emergency - All Hours
403-205-4455 ext 6527 or 403-723-6025
Emergency - Business Hours
Weekdays 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Weekends 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Call 403-205-4455 and select Option 2 for immediate routing to Call Centre for emergency handling.
Emergency - After Hours
Weekdays 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Weekends 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Statutory Holidays 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Call 403-205-4455 and select option 6.
If an emergency message is left, the message is forwarded to the emergency cell phone. Please note that this phone is NOT monitored after 10:00 PM
All 24 Hour Vet Clinics will also be able to assist in an emergency.
The following documents are available for download for the EB Program:
Emergency Boarding Program OverviewEmergency Boarding Program Referral FormEmergency Boarding Owner AgreementOwner Agreement Completion GuidePet Safekeeping and Emergency Boarding Program Comparison