The Alberta government is set to enhance animal welfare by imposing stricter fines and penalties. The Animal Protection Amendment Act, also known as Bill 22, aims to provide clearer definitions of distress and abandonment, empowering peace officers to intervene in harmful situations involving animals. Key distress indicators include access to appropriate shelter and sanitation. The amendments will expand inspection areas to include boarding and grooming facilities.
If approved, the bill will raise maximum fines from $20,000 to $250,000 and introduce jail sentences of up to 12 months for severe offenses. Additionally, the legislation will target individuals who have harmed animals in other provinces and relocated to Alberta without facing consequences.
Leanna Niblock, the executive director of the Alberta SPCA, highlighted that Alberta will be the first province in Canada to enforce prohibition orders from other provinces, allowing peace officers to take action against repeat offenders nationwide. Niblock emphasized that increasing fines and implementing jail time will enhance accountability, act as a deterrent, and emphasize the importance of animal welfare under the law.
Notable recent cases of animal distress involved two women charged in November 2025 following an investigation into animal cruelty allegations in northwestern Alberta. Over 300 animals were surrendered from two locations, including In The Woods animal rescue in Marie Reine and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
