97 Small Dogs Removed From Fort McMurray Home

Animal Control removed 97 small dogs from a home in Fort McMurray's Gregoire neighborhood after Wood Buffalo Bylaw Services obtained a search warrant under Alberta's Animal Protection Act. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced the operation on August 28, three days after officers entered the property.

The municipality described it as one of the largest dog rescues the local service has conducted. All 97 dogs are now in the care of the Fort McMurray SPCA, where their medical and placement needs will be assessed individually.

The dogs were removed on August 25

Bylaw Services says its officers executed the warrant at the Gregoire home on August 25. Fort McMurray SPCA staff helped with the animals, while Wood Buffalo RCMP assisted officers as they carried out the warrant.

The public statement does not identify the person who was at the home, describe the condition of the property or provide individual medical findings for the dogs. It also does not call the case animal hoarding. Buddylio is not applying that label without an official finding.

Veterinary care will take weeks or months

Every dog will require a veterinary examination, vaccinations and spaying or neutering, according to the municipality. Some dogs may need specialized treatment or food. Because 97 animals must be evaluated and prepared individually, the SPCA expects the process to take weeks and, for some dogs, months.

That timeline does not mean every dog has the same health needs or will become available on the same date. The official announcement does not provide breeds, ages, diagnoses or adoption estimates for individual dogs.

Adoption applications are not open

The Fort McMurray SPCA is not accepting adoption applications for these dogs yet. Executive director Melanie Schneider said the organization will share updates on its Facebook page as individual dogs become ready for adoption.

People who want to help can contact the SPCA about volunteering, fostering or donating toward veterinary treatment and specialized food. Waiting for the shelter's official updates will prevent staff from having to process applications before the dogs have completed intake and medical care.

The investigation is still open

The municipality says the investigation remains underway and that charges are pending for the person who was at the home. As of the August 28 announcement, it had not identified that person or stated that a formal charge had been filed.

A pending investigation is not a finding of guilt. Buddylio will update this report if the municipality, police, court or SPCA releases material new information about the legal case or the dogs' recovery. Readers can find more verified animal rescue developments in Buddylio's Rescue coverage.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. This report was checked on August 28, 2026. The investigation remained open, and adoption applications for the 97 dogs were not yet being accepted. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.