Struggle to find pet-friendly apartments leads to more surrenders at SPCA
The hunt for affordable housing is becoming increasingly challenging in Montreal, and advocates say this is especially true for pet owners.
The Montreal SPCA has witnessed a jump in calls this moving season from renters who can't take their animals with them because their building doesn't allow pets.
"It's more than in previous years. In fact, we're going back to pre-pandemic levels," said Montreal SPCA executive director Elise Desaulniers.
The SPCA says owners struggling to find pet-friendly apartments are showing up at the shelter daily to surrender their animals.
Desaulniers said it's been difficult to keep up.
"It's quite a challenge for us to take care of those animals," she said. "We don't have enough people."
With low vacancy rates, it's tough competition to find an affordable apartment in Montreal right now. Housing advocates say options are even more limited for pet owners, as many leases contain no-pet clauses.
"We noticed there are more and more uncertain places. [It's] difficult for these tenants who have animals," said Catherine Lussier, an organizer with housing advocacy group FRAPRU. "Unfortunately it's another condition of discrimination."
The SPCA and Quebec Solidaire are pushing for the government to ban no-pet clauses, saying they disproportionately affect low-income renters.
But the Quebec Landlords Association (APQ) says these clauses are often needed to avoid property damage and noise complaints.
"We're caught in the middle because we have to [ensure] the peaceful enjoyment of the premises," said APQ president Martin Messier.
A third of all landlords in the province accept pets, according to the APQ, but Messier said this number would be higher if the Quebec government allowed them to charge security deposits.
"If I got to the hotel with my little yorkie for the night, they will charge me several hundred dollars as a security deposit for one night. We're asking the landlord to accept pets without [a] security deposit -- it doesn't make sense."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.