How to report animal cruelty: who to call
How to report animal cruelty or neglect: when to call 911, who to call in each province, territory and state, and what to write down. Every number is sourced.
On this page
If someone or something is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number first.
This site does not take reports and has no form for them. A report has to reach the agency that enforces the law where the animal is. Use Find local help to start.
Who to contact
- A crime in progress: call 911.
- New York City: the ASPCA says to call 311 for suspected abuse or neglect, and 911 for a crime in progress.
- Elsewhere: contact the agency that enforces animal laws where the abuse is happening. That may be local police, animal control, an SPCA or another humane group. If you are not sure, ask the police or animal control which it is.
Who to call where you live
Open your country below to find your province, territory or state. Each entry names who takes cruelty reports there, and tapping a number opens the official page we took it from. Many US states leave cruelty to local police or animal control, and the entry says so. Where we could not find an official page, the entry says to contact local police or animal control, with no link. We checked every page in October 2026. Numbers change, so look at the linked page before you call.
Canada: provinces and territories
- AlbertaOutside Calgary and Edmonton: the Alberta SPCA, 1-800-455-9003 (choose option 1) or its online form. In Calgary: Calgary Humane Society, 403-205-4455. In Edmonton: Animal Care and Control Centre, 311.
- British ColumbiaBC SPCA Animal Helpline, 1-855-622-7722, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Outside those hours, the BC SPCA says to contact local police or the RCMP.
- ManitobaManitoba Agriculture's Animal Care Line, 204-945-8000 or toll free 1-888-945-8001.
- New BrunswickThe NB SPCA enforces animal protection in the province. Report abuse or neglect to it at 1-877-722-1522.
- Newfoundland and LabradorFor dogs, cats and other small pets: your municipal enforcement office, or your local RNC or RCMP detachment (provincial guidance). For farm animals, including horses: the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, 709.729.6879.
- Northwest TerritoriesThe territory's Dog Act makes RCMP members and community bylaw officers its officers. Contact your local RCMP detachment or bylaw officer.
- Nova ScotiaThe Nova Scotia SPCA takes cruelty reports through a confidential online form. For general questions it lists 1-888-703-7722 for companion animals and (902) 536-7323 for farm animals.
- NunavutContact local police or animal control.
- OntarioOntario Animal Welfare Services, 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625), open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prince Edward IslandPEI Humane Society Animal Protection, (902) 892-1190 (ask for an Animal Protection Officer) or its online form.
- QuebecQuebec's agriculture ministry (MAPAQ), 1 844 ANIMAUX (264-6289) on weekdays, or its online form. Reports are confidential.
- SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency, 306-382-0002. It has done this work since 1 April 2026.
- YukonFor pets and other animals that are not livestock: the Animal Protection Officer, Animal Health Unit, 867-667-5600.
United States: states and DC
- AlabamaThe Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries asks people to report animal abuse and cruelty online.
- AlaskaState law lets you file a complaint with a public or private animal control agency or organization, or with a peace officer.
- ArizonaFor dogs, cats or birds: your local animal control agency. For livestock: the Arizona Department of Agriculture's dispatch, (623) 445-0281.
- ArkansasContact local police or animal control.
- CaliforniaThe state agriculture department says to report animal abuse to local animal control or an SPCA.
- ColoradoContact local law enforcement, animal control or a local humane society first. If you need more help after that, the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Protection takes complaints through its online form, not by phone.
- ConnecticutState Animal Control at the Connecticut Department of Agriculture investigates cruelty complaints and helps town animal control officers: (860) 713-2506.
- DelawareDelaware Animal Services, 302-255-4646 or its online form. For farm animals and livestock: the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 302-698-4500.
- District of ColumbiaDC Health lists Animal Care and Control, run by the Brandywine Valley SPCA, at (202) 888-PETS (7387), 24 hours a day, and its Humane Law Enforcement Department at (202) 723-5730.
- FloridaState law says reports of suspected cruelty go to the appropriate local authorities.
- GeorgiaThe Georgia Department of Agriculture says to report to your local Animal Control or Sheriff's Department.
- HawaiiOn Hawaii Island, call police dispatch at (808) 935-3311 and ask them to pass the report to the county's Animal Control and Protection Agency. On other islands, contact local police or animal control.
- IdahoFor dogs, cats and horses: the sheriff's office in your county. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture handles concerns about production livestock.
- IllinoisFor a privately owned animal or an emergency: local animal control or local law enforcement first.
- IndianaLocal animal control, or the sheriff or police where there is none.Livestock, horses and poultry: the State Board of Animal Health, (877) 747-3038.
- IowaThe state agriculture department has no power over abuse cases. Report to local law enforcement: animal control, the police or the county sheriff.
- KansasThe state agriculture department asks people to contact local law enforcement about abuse or neglect, not its inspection program.
- KentuckyFor a dog, cat or other companion animal: local authorities. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture takes livestock and poultry complaints.
- LouisianaInside city limits: local animal control. Outside city limits: the sheriff.
- MaineCall local law enforcement or animal control first. Maine's Animal Welfare Program: 1-877-269-9200 or (207) 287-3846, weekdays.
- MarylandThe state says to report animal abuse to your local Animal Control Agency.
- MassachusettsThe MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement Department takes reports from anywhere in Massachusetts: (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In an emergency after hours, call local police or animal control.
- MichiganThe state agriculture department says complaints about pet stores, kennels, breeders and livestock go to local animal control, the sheriff or police. For other animals, contact local police or animal control.
- MinnesotaThe state veterinary board says to contact the local sheriff or a humane agent.
- MississippiContact local police or animal control.
- MissouriLocal law enforcement handles abuse and neglect. Call your local sheriff's office.
- MontanaContact local police or animal control.
- NebraskaThe Nebraska Department of Agriculture refers dog and cat cruelty complaints to the law enforcement agency of the county where it happens.
- NevadaContact local police or animal control.
- New HampshireState law says all complaints go to local law enforcement: the police, animal control officer, state police or sheriff.
- New JerseyYour County Prosecutor's Office or local police. For livestock, including horses: the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, 609-671-6400.
- New MexicoNew Mexico State University's guidance: contact local law enforcement, a humane society or another animal welfare agency. For livestock: your local New Mexico Livestock Board inspector, (505) 841-6161.
- New YorkNew York City: call 311 or report online. You will be put through to your local police precinct.Elsewhere in the state: local law enforcement or an SPCA.
- North CarolinaCruelty is handled locally. Start with your county sheriff's office, magistrate or local animal control.
- North DakotaThe local law enforcement agency for the area where the animals are.
- OhioLocal law enforcement enforces the cruelty laws. For livestock care complaints: the Ohio Department of Agriculture, (614) 728-6220.
- OklahomaContact local police or animal control.
- OregonLocal law enforcement, or the Oregon Humane Society at (503) 802-6707.
- PennsylvaniaYour local humane society police officer or local police station. Where there are no local police, the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Rhode IslandRhode Island SPCA, Division of Law Enforcement, 401-415-8044. If an animal is in immediate danger, call local police or the State Police.
- South CarolinaContact local police or animal control.
- South DakotaState law names the Animal Industry Board, any peace officer, or a humane society officer as the people who take complaints.
- TennesseeFor a dog, cat or companion animal: local authorities. For livestock, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture takes cruelty complaints.
- TexasLocal animal control or your sheriff's department. The state animal health commission does not handle cruelty.
- UtahThe state agriculture department says local law enforcement agencies enforce the cruelty law.
- VermontA 2026 state report says complaints go to a local animal control officer or constable, or to the State Police, local police or sheriff.
- VirginiaEach county or city animal control officer enforces the animal protection laws.
- WashingtonThe state agriculture department says the cruelty law is enforced by local authorities.
- West VirginiaContact local police or animal control.
- WisconsinA local humane officer, where the local government has one. Otherwise, local police or the sheriff.
- WyomingContact local police or animal control.
What to have ready
- A short written statement of what you saw, with dates and times.
- Names and contact details of other people who saw it and will speak to investigators.
- Photos or video, taken only from a place you are allowed to be, such as a public street. Never trespass to get them.
After you report
The ASPCA says you can report anonymously, but a case is more likely to go forward when credible witnesses will stand behind it. Keep a record of who you spoke to, the date, and what you were told happens next. If you hear nothing in a reasonable time, a polite follow-up call is fine.
For the laws themselves, see Animal laws.
Sources
- Former website, "How to report animal cruelty: who to call", Internet Archive copy of 29 July 2012
- ASPCA, "Recognizing and Reporting Animal Abuse and Neglect"
- Alberta SPCA, "Report An Animal In Distress"
- BC SPCA, "Reporting an animal in distress"
- Government of Manitoba, Agriculture, "Who to call" (animal protection)
- Government of New Brunswick, Animal Protection in New Brunswick (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 31 May 2026)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, "Frequently Asked Questions" on animal health
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Justice, Dog Act (consolidation, PDF)
- Nova Scotia SPCA, "Report Animal Cruelty"
- Government of Ontario, "Animal welfare"
- PEI Humane Society, "Report Cruelty"
- Gouvernement du Québec, "Report a situation regarding animal safety and welfare"
- Government of Saskatchewan, news release of 1 April 2026, "Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency Now Delivering Animal Welfare Enforcement Services"
- Government of Yukon, page on the Animal Protection and Control Act (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 3 December 2025)
- Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, "Report Animal Abuse and Cruelty"
- Alaska Statutes, section 03.55.110 (Alaska Legislature)
- Arizona Department of Agriculture, livestock cruelty law page
- California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health and Food Safety Services contact table
- Colorado Department of Agriculture, "File an Animal Mistreatment or Neglect Complaint"
- Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Animal Control Unit page (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 11 September 2026)
- Delaware Office of Animal Welfare, "Report a Violation"
- DC Health, "Animal Care and Control"
- Florida Statutes, chapter 828, section 828.291 (Florida Senate)
- Georgia Department of Agriculture, "Reporting Animal Cruelty"
- Hawaii Police Department, "Animal Control Services"
- Idaho State Department of Agriculture, animal care complaints page (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 21 May 2026)
- Illinois Department of Agriculture, "Animal Health & Welfare"
- State of Indiana FAQ, "How do I report animal abuse or neglect?"
- Indiana State Board of Animal Health, "Animal Care and Welfare"
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, "Animal Welfare FAQ"
- Kansas Department of Agriculture, pet animal facility complaint page (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 9 June 2026)
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture, livestock welfare complaints (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 6 June 2026)
- Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, "File a complaint or report a violation"
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Animal Welfare Program, About Us page
- Maryland Department of Agriculture, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, animal cruelty reporting page (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 20 May 2026)
- MSPCA-Angell, "Cruelty Prevention"
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, animal shelter and facility licensing
- Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine, FAQ (live site blocked automated reading; wording checked on its Internet Archive copy of 8 May 2026)
- Missouri Department of Agriculture, "About the Animal Health Division"
- Nebraska Department of Agriculture, animal control rules for dog and cat facilities (PDF)
- New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, report animal cruelty page
- New Jersey Department of Health, Veterinary Public Health
- New Mexico State University, "Criminal Consequences of Equine Neglect and Abuse in New Mexico"
- New York City Office of Animal Welfare, "Animal Cruelty"
- New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, animal-related complaints page
- North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, "Veterinary - Frequently Asked Questions"
- North Dakota Department of Agriculture, "Humane Treatment of Animals"
- Ohio Department of Agriculture, "Livestock Care Standards"
- Oregon Department of Agriculture, "Frequently Asked Questions"
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, resources for dog owners
- Rhode Island SPCA, "Stop Animal Cruelty"
- South Dakota Codified Laws, section 40-1-30
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture, "Livestock Welfare"
- Texas Animal Health Commission, complaints page
- Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, horse tripping brochure, 2015 (PDF)
- Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Animal Welfare, comprehensive plan to the legislature, 30 January 2026 (PDF)
- Code of Virginia, section 3.2-6555
- Washington State Department of Agriculture, "Compliance"
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, "Humane Officers"