ABOUT

Community Animal Services - Care & Control is responsible for animal control and related bylaw enforcement in the City of Lethbridge. We operate the City of Lethbridge Animal Shelter which provides care and housing to stray cats and dogs from the community and, acts as a resource hub for responsible pet ownership programs and services.

 Community Animal Services provides the following services to the citizens of Lethbridge and their pets;


Mission:

Promote responsible pet ownership through education, community support, enforcement, and public service. 

Vision:

Communities that are safe, happy, and healthy for people and pets.

Values:

Pride

Integrity

Compassion


Community Animal Services employs sworn Enforcement Officers who are appointed under the Municipal Government Act to investigate offenses and enforce animal-related bylaws within the City of Lethbridge; they are considered Peace Officers in the execution of their duties. Our team works varied schedules 7 days a week in order to respond to animal control-related complaints, pick up of stray dogs and assist local Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Alberta SPCA, and Alberta Sheriffs Fish and Wildlife. Our team holds memberships with the National Animal Care and Control Association and the Alberta Municipal Enforcement Association. All staff participates in ongoing continued education and training programs.



Community Animal Services operates a Fear Free Shelter! Our team participates in continued education and training programs that focus on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress for the animals in the shelter environment. Some Fear Free practices include managing the intake of stray cats to maintain an appropriate population within the facility and reducing environmental stimuli such as frequent movement, loud noise, and bright lights. Staff will use techniques such as a considerate approach and touch gradient when handling animals.  

We also adhere to the Best Management Practices for Animal Shelters and Rescues as recommended by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.

News and bulletins

Enforcement Officers are seeking the public's help in identifying the owner of a dog that was involved in two bite incidents at The Home Depot store on Mayor Magrath Dr S in Lethbridge.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at approximately 10:00 AM, an employee of The Home Depot was bit in the hand by a dog that was accompanied into the store by a male. The following day, Wednesday, May 15, the same male and dog were at The Home Depot store at approximately 12:30 PM when a shopper inside the store was attacked by the same dog. The victim received multiple serious bites to their arm and leg. A witness to the second incident on May 15 was able to take a photo of the dog owner and a vehicle outside the store. Our investigators have also obtained surveillance footage of the individual leaving the store with the dog.

At this time, efforts to identify and locate the subject dog owner have been unsuccessful. The subject dog owner is described as a white male, in their late 50's, around 6 feet tall, with dark hair, possibly in a short ponytail, and facial hair. The dog is described as a young, dark brindle color pitbull-type breed. The male left in a black Dodge Caravan with angel wing markings on the side door.

Anyone with information about the dog and owner is asked to contact our complaint line at 403-320-4099 (option 1).

File # 64617


Tails are wagging at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter, as dogs enjoy a new outdoor space. A 420-square-metre fenced dog run is now allowing resident canines to exercise, play, and interact with one another in a more natural setting.  Read the full story here.


It was a paw-sitively fur-tastic 2023 for the critters and companions at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter. From fetching new events to unleashing equipment upgrades, it was a year full of tail-wagging adventures to support operations at Community Animal Services (CAS).  View the full story here.


The animal shelter and office will be closed to the public on Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 1. Kennels and animal visiting will close early at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 29. 

Lethbridge City Council voted to approve up to $30,000 in one-time funding from Council Contingencies for Administration to move forward with the new on-site amenity, which will be nearly 1,100 square meters.  Read the full story here.

The Lethbridge Animal Shelter will be closed to the public on Saturday, November 11, 2023, for the Remembrance Day holiday.  The public can access information and resources on our website including, online reporting, a list of found pets, adoption profiles, and booking volunteer times. For critical animal control emergencies, call 403-320-4099.

An initial report was presented to the City of Lethbridge Community Safety Standing Policy Committee on October 12, 2023, outlining plans to review the current animal regulations in Lethbridge and begin public engagement to gather feedback on modernizing the bylaws.

View the committee report.

Find public engagement opportunities.

The Lethbridge Animal Shelter will be closed to the public on Monday, October 9, 2023, for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.  The public can access information and resources on our website including, online reporting, a list of found pets, adoption profiles, and booking volunteer times. For critical animal control emergencies, call 403-320-4099.


Operational reports