Animal Keepers Act

Role of LIS under the Animal Keepers Act

LIS does not administer the Animal Keepers Act. The LIS Livestock Inspectors are only involved with the Animal Keepers Act when animal keepers sell cattle and horses at livestock markets and country sale sites. LIS does not inspect cattle and horses sold under the Animal Keepers Act by private treaty.  

For information on the sale of cattle and horses under the Animal Keepers Act please contact the Animal Health and Assurance Branch of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. 

All cattle and horses transported for sale under the Animal Keepers Act must be accompanied with an Alberta Livestock Manifest. See the document entitled "Transportation and Inspection of Cattle and Horses under the Animal Keepers Act" in the Forms section. 

Role of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI) under the Animal Keepers Act

The Animal Health Assurance Branch, Inspection and Investigation Section of Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development is responsible for the administration of the Animal Keepers Act. Any questions animal keepers may have with respect to the requirements of the Act or how to sell animals under the Act are to be directed to call 1 (866) 252-6403.

AGI Procedure under the Animal Keepers Act

Notice of Sale

A form of Notice of Sale to be used by the animal keeper is available in the Forms section of this tab and from AGI.  As this is not a prescribed form, animal keepers could prepare their own version of the Notice of Sale. All Notices of Sale must contain the following information:

  • the method of the proposed sale,
  • the date and time of the sale,
  • the address and name of the place where the animal will be sold,
  • the name of the owner or the person who brought the animal to the animal keeper,
  • the amount for which the lien is claimed,
  • a description of the animal, and
  • the name of and contact information for the animal keeper.

The animal keeper is required to provide AGI with a copy of the Notice of Sale at least 21 days prior to the sale.

Service of the Notice of Sale 

The animal keeper is required to give the owner of the animal at least 14 days’ notice of the proposed sale of the animal. The animal keeper is required to give AGI a copy of their Proof of Service of the Notice of Sale on the owner of the animal at least 14 days prior to the date of the sale.   A form of Proof of Service is available on the Form section of this tab and from AGI. 

Authorization of sale by AGI

AGI is responsible for reviewing the Notice of Sale and Proof of Service and speaking with both the animal keeper and the owner to confirm that the requirements of the Act have been met.  Once they are satisfied, AGI provides a letter to the animal keeper authorizing the sale and reminding the animal keeper of his obligations under both the Animal Keepers Act and the Livestock Identification and Commerce Act, if cattle or horses are being sold.

AGI Notice to LIS

When cattle or horses are being sold under the Animal Keepers Act, AGI will provide the LIS with copies of the following documents:

  • Notice of Sale prepared by the animal keeper; and
  • Letter from AGI to the animal keeper authorizing the sale of the animals.

 If the sale under the Animal Keepers Act is cancelled or rescheduled for any reason, AGI will notify LIS.

Payment of the sale proceeds

Under the Animal Keepers Act, the animal keeper has priority to the net sale proceeds for the amount of the lien. It is the animal keeper’s responsibility to distribute the net sale proceeds in accordance with section 10 of the Animal Keepers Act.

For more information go to the Forms section, or View the Animal Keepers Act.