Allergies can be as common in our pets as they are in humans. On this episode of AnimalChat, we speak with veterinarian, Dr. Vicki Janes, about the signs of pet allergies, which breeds are more susceptible, and options for treating our animals.

Allergies can be as common in our pets as they are in humans. On this episode of AnimalChat, we speak with veterinarian, Dr. Vicki Janes, about the signs of pet allergies, which breeds are more susceptible, and options for treating our animals.

Pet Allergies

We talk to social worker Joey Leslie, who works at a veterinary clinic to help families deal with the flood of emotions that come when pet owners must make the difficult decision to euthanize their beloved animals.

We talk to social worker Joey Leslie, who works at a veterinary clinic to help families deal with the flood of emotions that come when pet owners must make the difficult decision to euthanize their beloved animals.

Grieving Pets

Alberta SPCA Peace Officers enforce the Animal Protection Act (APA) which makes it an offence to permit an animal to be in distress. In this episode, Peace Officer Karen Stevenson explains what is distress under the APA and what she looks for at properties when investigating complaints of distress.

Alberta SPCA Peace Officers enforce the Animal Protection Act (APA) which makes it an offence to permit an animal to be in distress. In this episode, Peace Officer Karen Stevenson explains what is distress under the APA and what she looks for at properties when investigating complaints of distress.

Defining Distress

It can be difficult for older adults to find affordable housing that allows pets, as many landlords are wary of having animals in their buildings. However, research shows allowing seniors to have a pet helps to keep them healthy, feel less isolated, and can actually keep them from forming abusive relationships with other adults. 

It can be difficult for older adults to find affordable housing that allows pets, as many landlords are wary of having animals in their buildings. However, research shows allowing seniors to have a pet helps to keep them healthy, feel less isolated, and can actually keep them from forming abusive relationships with other adults.

Pets & Seniors Housing

Summer is here, and that increases the amount of trouble your pet can get into at home, in the yard or inside. We talked to a local small animal veterinarian about the most common health issues she sees at her clinic, and what you can do to keep your pet safe.

Summer is here, and that increases the amount of trouble your pet can get into at home, in the yard or inside. We talked to a local small animal veterinarian about the most common health issues she sees at her clinic, and what you can do to keep your pet safe.

Biggest Risks to Pets in their own Home

Reptiles are a popular pet for many people, but many owners choose to not seek veterinary care for their pets. On this episode we talk to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles about some of the common health concerns with lizards and snakes and why it's important to seek proper health care for them.

Reptiles are a popular pet for many people, but many owners choose to not seek veterinary care for their pets. On this episode we talk to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles about some of the common health concerns with lizards and snakes and why it's important to seek proper health care for them.

Reptiles Need Vet Care Too

Collectors are people who accumulate more animals than they can properly care for. Often referred to as hoarders, collectors often have a mental illness that leads to their predicament, and managing these situations so the collector does not re-accumulate animals is challenging. We talk to one of our Peace Officers about how she manages these investigations in order to ensure the animals are not in distress, and to ensure the owner receives help as well.

Collectors are people who accumulate more animals than they can properly care for. Often referred to as hoarders, collectors often have a mental illness that leads to their predicament, and managing these situations so the collector does not re-accumulate animals is challenging. We talk to one of our Peace Officers about how she manages these investigations in order to ensure the animals are not in distress, and to ensure the owner receives help as well.

Collectors of Animals

Bell Let's Talk Day is on January 26th. We see the impacts on animals from poor mental health, it's a part of most of our investigations where animals are in distress. Peace Officer Karen Stevenson joins us to talk about how Peace Officers ensure they are helping the people as well as the animals.

Bell Let's Talk Day is on January 26th. We see the impacts on animals from poor mental health, it's a part of most of our investigations where animals are in distress. Peace Officer Karen Stevenson joins us to talk about how Peace Officers ensure they are helping the people as well as the animals.

Mental Health in Animal Welfare

End of life decisions are never easy when it comes to our animals. However, it's important to have those conversations as the cold weather sets in to ensure our animals do not face unnecessary suffering.

End of life decisions are never easy when it comes to our animals. However, it's important to have those conversations as the cold weather sets in to ensure our animals do not face unnecessary suffering.

Have The Courage

 When people suffer, so do their animals. The Alberta SPCA's One Family Welfare department offers temporary care for pets so their owners can get the help they need to deal with crisis situations. The Director of our One Family Welfare Department joins us to explain the Violence Link and how we help pets and people in crisis. 

When people suffer, so do their animals. The Alberta SPCA's One Family Welfare department offers temporary care for pets so their owners can get the help they need to deal with crisis situations. The Director of our One Family Welfare Department joins us to explain the Violence Link and how we help pets and people in crisis.

The Violence Link

Animal behaviour, animal welfare, animal protection. We cover it all.

Our animals are exceptionally important to us but many people fail to plan for their pets should the animals outlive them. In this episode, we discuss why it's important to have your pets included in estate planning, and what decisions need to be a part of the will.

Our animals are exceptionally important to us but many people fail to plan for their pets should the animals outlive them. In this episode, we discuss why it's important to have your pets included in estate planning, and what decisions need to be a part of the will.

Why It's Important To Include Your Pets In Your Will

We talk to an Alberta egg farmer about what measures are in place to ensure hens live a happy and productive life. We also hear from the non-profit Egg Farmers of Alberta about how they ensure their members are meeting their high standards for animal welfare and care. 

We talk to an Alberta egg farmer about what measures are in place to ensure hens live a happy and productive life. We also hear from the non-profit Egg Farmers of Alberta about how they ensure their members are meeting their high standards for animal welfare and care.

Animal Welfare on Alberta's Egg Farms

There has been an increase in pet budgies being surrendered this summer. We talk to a vet who works with exotic birds about why budgies are being turned in and what prospective bird owners should understand about budgies before adding them to a family.

There has been an increase in pet budgies being surrendered this summer. We talk to a vet who works with exotic birds about why budgies are being turned in and what prospective bird owners should understand about budgies before adding them to a family.

Budgies are not Starter Pets

We talk to the Animal Control Officer from the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta about the First Nation's perspective on animals and how their culture and history guides them. 

We talk to the Animal Control Officer from the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta about the First Nation's perspective on animals and how their culture and history guides them.

Animal Welfare on Alberta's First Nations

Many people added pets to their family during the pandemic, and with people returning to the office, we're encouraging businesses to look at allowing pets in the work place. We discuss the benefits of having office dogs and cats, for the business, the staff and the animals.

Many people added pets to their family during the pandemic, and with people returning to the office, we're encouraging businesses to look at allowing pets in the work place. We discuss the benefits of having office dogs and cats, for the business, the staff and the animals.

The Benefits of Taking Pets to Work

The expectations of how owners care for their animals has changed considerably since the Animal Protection Act was first passed in Alberta. We're joined by Alberta SPCA President, and retired veterinarian, Dr. Duane Landals to discuss the evolution of Animal Welfare.

The expectations of how owners care for their animals has changed considerably since the Animal Protection Act was first passed in Alberta. We're joined by Alberta SPCA President, and retired veterinarian, Dr. Duane Landals to discuss the evolution of Animal Welfare.

The Evolution of Animal Welfare

There are lots of misconceptions on how best to train your dog. We chat with Certified Professional Dog Trainer Kris Rooney about what works and what does not work when getting your canine family member to be a respectful, good listener in and out of your home.

There are lots of misconceptions on how best to train your dog. We chat with Certified Professional Dog Trainer Kris Rooney about what works and what does not work when getting your canine family member to be a respectful, good listener in and out of your home.

Myths About Dog Training

One of the most stressful parts of a family vacation can be trying to find a trusted boarding facility.  We talk to a local owner/operator about what questions you should ask and what you should look for when choosing a home away from home for your pets.

One of the most stressful parts of a family vacation can be trying to find a trusted boarding facility.  We talk to a local owner/operator about what questions you should ask and what you should look for when choosing a home away from home for your pets.

How to choose a boarding facility

Controversial Issue Alert! Cat traps are used by many to deal with unwanted wandering cats that come into their yard, but the person doing the trapping has legal responsibilities the moment the cat is trapped, and they could be charged if the cat becomes distressed. Peace Officer Stuart Dodds joins us to talk about the legalities of using cat traps.

Controversial Issue Alert! Cat traps are used by many to deal with unwanted wandering cats that come into their yard, but the person doing the trapping has legal responsibilities the moment the cat is trapped, and they could be charged if the cat becomes distressed. Peace Officer Stuart Dodds joins us to talk about the legalities of using cat traps.

The Legalities of Cat Traps

May is Emergency Preparedness Month and every emergency kit needs to be put together with your pets in mind. The Fort McMurray fire in 2016, along with the southern Alberta floods and other disasters remind us how quickly residents may have to leave their home. In this episode, Executive Director Terra Johnston joins us to discuss her experience helping animals after Fort McMurray was evacuated, and what you should plan for when putting together an emergency plan for your home and your animals. Putting together an emergency kit is not as simply as grabbing food and toys.

May is Emergency Preparedness Month and every emergency kit needs to be put together with your pets in mind. The Fort McMurray fire in 2016, along with the southern Alberta floods and other disasters remind us how quickly residents may have to leave their home. In this episode, Executive Director Terra Johnston joins us to discuss her experience helping animals after Fort McMurray was evacuated, and what you should plan for when putting together an emergency plan for your home and your animals. Putting together an emergency kit is not as simply as grabbing food and toys.

Be Pet Prepared

AnimalChat - An Alberta SPCA Podcast

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