Hundreds of animals in ‘extremely poor conditions’ rescued from Alberta shelter

An animal rescue agency in Valleyview surrendered hundreds of cats and dogs to the RCMP. CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson has more.

Hundreds of animals have been rescued from a shelter in northwest Alberta as RCMP investigate allegations of animal cruelty.

Police, with help from the Canadian Animal Task Force (CATF) and the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), say they have taken in hundreds of surrendered animals – including cats, dogs, horses and other livestock – that were in different stages of distress.

“We’re talking about something to the scale of hundreds of animals, there’s no way we could have done this on our own,” Cpl. Mathew Howell with Alberta RCMP told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. “Having these partners help us and bring in their expertise … is really big for us.”

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AARCS said the large-scale rescue operation in Valleyview involved more than 290 animals that were living in “extremely poor conditions and needed urgent help,” and were removed from two properties operating as an animal rescue.

Kayli McClelland with AARCS said they had to perform “several euthanasias on site due to the distress of the animals” and that the organization has been working “around the clock” with the RCMP for the last several days.

“It’s been a really tough week for a lot of our staff and volunteers, but we’re all very happy that we’re able to step in and help and give so many animals the second chances they deserve,” McClelland said.

“What these animals experienced is simply not acceptable,” CATF executive director RJ Bailot said in a statement on the AARCS website Thursday. “We need stronger standards and real accountability when it comes to animal welfare.”

AARCS said more than 16 animal welfare agencies across Alberta have been aiding in the care of the animals, including providing shelter and medical attention.

“Animal welfare organizations across the province are stretched thin, so we’re grateful so many were able to make space for even a few animals,” AARCS executive director Deanna Thompson said in a statement. “With a rescue operation of this size, it takes a village.”

McClelland said rescue operations of this size are not common and this is one of the largest they’ve seen, although not the largest.

“It’s really unfortunate to see a lot of people go into rescue with the best of intentions, and it’s unfortunate to see when these are the situations that we come out with,” she said, adding that the animals will start to go up for adoption in the next few weeks.

“The goal is to get them into foster care homes so they can start learning how to be house pets and start learning what life can really be like.”

The animals needing homes will appear on the shelters listed on AARCS’ website. Donations can also be made to any of the organizations to aid in the care of the animals.

Officers say charges are pending and more information will be released.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson and Brenden Purdy