The Alberta SPCA has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Edmonton Community Foundation to support our work to keep families and their pets together. The grant will be used to hire an administrative staff member for our One Family Welfare department, ensuring our frontline workers have the resources to help people and pets in crisis situations.

“We have identified that a strong motivator for our client’s success is their desire to keep their families together, pets included,” said Patricia Mamak, Director of the One Family Welfare department. “Our clients are more willing to access services and overcome challenges or barriers they face so they can bring their pets home.”

The One Family Welfare department offers temporary care for pets while family members seek help for themselves due to crisis situations. This includes people who are fleeing family violence, Albertans who require emergency medical care, and families who may find themselves homeless due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Losing a pet due to a crisis situation can be absolutely devastating,” added Mamak. “Our program offers the ability to re-unite with pets once recovery is achieved.”

The Edmonton Community Foundation Community Grant comes at an urgent time for the Alberta SPCA. The One Family Welfare department has seen a dramatic increase in need for our programs over the past year for numerous reasons, including pressures created by the pandemic. At the same time, the Alberta SPCA has lost fundraising opportunities due to public health restrictions. The number of animals accepted into the program in 2021 was 353, a 170 % increase, compared to the previous two-year average. By hiring an administrative staff member, the Alberta SPCA is able to allow frontline staff to spend more time helping clients address their challenges while ensuring their animals are in a safe place.

About The One Family Welfare Program

One Family Welfare fills the gap between human services and animal services, striving to ensure all members of a family receive help when needed. The department collaborates with many community organizations to obtain better outcomes for each individual we serve by focusing on the clients’ unique needs. Staff work with other organizations, and offers temporary pet care for people dealing with crisis situations such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, physical health, and challenges faced by chronic low-income, poverty, addictions, unemployment, and discrimination.

About The Alberta SPCA

The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Alberta SPCA) is a registered charity dedicated to the welfare of animals. We encourage the humane treatment of animals through enforcement of animal protection legislation and through education programs throughout Alberta. Alberta SPCA Peace Officers respond to approximately 2,400 complaints of neglect and abuse each year in all areas of Alberta outside the cities of Calgary and Edmonton.

About The Edmonton Community Foundation

The Edmonton Community Foundation’s (ECF) mission is to attract and steward endowment funds and to make strategic investments that enhance quality of life in Edmonton. The Foundation exists to help the people of Edmonton and area by encouraging philanthropy and funding charitable activities. Through contributions from donors, the Foundation assembles and administers permanent pools of capital so the returns can be perpetually reinvested in our community. ECF complements and supports other charitable agencies.

For further information, please contact
Dan Kobe
Communications Manager
Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
17904 – 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB  T5S 2W3
Tel: 780-732-3742
Email: dkobe@albertaspca.org