Montreal SPCA issued a public appeal on July 26, 2026, urging both municipal authorities and property owners to eliminate rental clauses that forbid tenants from keeping pets. The organization says the ban is needed as it confronts a steady increase in the number of abandoned animals it receives.
The animal welfare group points to a recent surge in stray dogs and cats arriving at its shelters, a trend it links to the seasonal influx of renters during the Canada Day period. The holiday traditionally sparks a wave of moving activity across the city, which in turn generates more discarded items and litter on streets, creating conditions that attract stray animals and facilitate their abandonment.
By maintaining rental agreements that prohibit pets, landlords may unintentionally encourage owners to surrender their animals when they relocate to new housing. The SPCA argues that removing such restrictions would allow more families to keep their companion animals throughout the moving process, reducing the likelihood that pets are left behind or turned over to shelters.
The organization’s call to action is directed at the city of Montreal and at landlords across the province of Quebec. It asks policymakers to consider legislation that would prevent rental contracts from including blanket bans on pets, and it encourages property owners to adopt more flexible pet‑friendly policies. The SPCA believes that a coordinated effort could help stem the flow of animals entering its care during the busy summer moving season.
While the SPCA does not provide specific figures in this statement, it emphasizes that the rise in abandoned animals is noticeable enough to warrant immediate attention. The group hopes that a ban on pet‑prohibiting rental rules will contribute to a longer‑term decline in stray numbers and improve outcomes for both animals and the residents of Montreal.