Lack of pet-friendly apartments in Montreal leading to wave of surrendered animals: SPCA

Whilehundreds of Quebecersfound themselves without a home after Moving Day on July 1, the housing crunch is taking its toll on another group this year.

Montreal'sSPCAsays it tookin about 600 abandonedanimals in the past three months.

"It's something we see every year," said the shelter's executive director lise Desaulniers. She said the number of surrendered animals during this year's moving periodhas climbed back up to pre-pandemic levels.

"Inthe last few weeks, we received alot of cats, many rabbits also, and a lot of small animals such as mice and hamsters," said Desaulniers.

Low vacancy rates this year have made it a struggle for manyto find affordable housing in the city,forcing pet owners to make tough decisions.

"I've seen stories from a young girl with an old cat that had diabetes ...The only apartment she found didn't allow cats so she had to get rid of her cat. Her cat thatwas her best friend," saidDesaulniers.

The shelter is also having a tough time keeping up with demand because ofstaffing shortages.

"It's hard for us, like everybody else, to find staff to take care of those animals and a lot of animals that are in the shelter are older animals, sick animals, animals that need a lot of care. So it's quite a challenge."

There is some positive news, however,as the SPCA says there have been no cases yet this moving season of people simply leaving their pets behind and abandoning them after a move.

No-pet clauses must stay, says landlord association

Throughout the year,anaverage of one animal perday is surrendered to theshelter because its owner is unable to find apet-friendly place to live,Desaulnierssaid.

Some 52 per cent of Quebec households have a domestic animal, according to a Lger survey conducted this fall. However only fourper cent of dwellings in Quebec accept pets, the SPCA estimates.

The SPCA recently submitted a 33,000-name petition to the National Assembly calling for aban onno-pet clauses in residential leases,saying theydisproportionately affectlow-income renters who have fewer rental options. The shelteris urging people to make this an election issue when Quebecers go to the polls this October.

LISTEN | SPCA official explains call to abolish no-pet clausesin residential leases:

The Quebec Landlords Association (APQ) released a statement last week in response, sayingthe clauses are necessary for the well-being of buildings and other tenants.

"Clawed floors, nibbled threads, carpets that serve as litter ... [This is]the reality of some dwellings whose tenants do not take care of their animals," the statement reads.

The association says landlords should be allowed to ask newpet-holding tenants for a security deposit to cover these repairsthe financial losses of which are currently felt byowners.

"The APQis sensitive to requests from tenants wishing to have a domestic animal but in the current legislative context, the risk related to damage or noise is too great compared to possible financial losses."