The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has called on city officials and landlords to eliminate rental policies that forbid tenants from keeping pets. The organization says the growing number of abandoned animals in the city is directly linked to such restrictions.
The SPCA’s appeal comes as intake figures continue to rise, a trend the group attributes to renters who are forced to leave their pets behind when moving. Each year around Canada Day, a noticeable wave of tenants changes residence, and many are compelled by lease terms to surrender their animals. Those abandoned pets quickly become part of the SPCA’s increasing caseload.
In its statement, the SPCA urged municipal authorities to review housing regulations and to work with property owners to create pet‑friendly rental options. The group argues that removing prohibitions would not only keep families together with their companion animals but also reduce the strain on shelter resources.
Landlords, according to the SPCA, often adopt blanket bans on pets out of concern for potential damage or noise complaints. The organization contends that these concerns can be addressed through reasonable pet policies, such as deposits or size limits, rather than outright bans that push owners toward abandonment.
The call for change arrives at a time when animal welfare groups across Canada are highlighting the impact of housing policies on pet abandonment rates. By targeting the rental market, the Montreal SPCA hopes to stem the flow of stray and surrendered animals that flood its facilities each summer.
City officials have not yet responded publicly to the SPCA’s request. The organization remains focused on gathering support from the public and from other animal‑rights advocates to press for legislative or regulatory action that would protect pets and ease the burden on shelters.