The BC SPCA is urging the provincial government to address the shortage of pet-friendly rental housing, a pressing issue for many pet owners in British Columbia. The organization highlights a significant lack of rental options that accommodate pets, particularly dogs.
Kushal Methea, who recently moved from Seattle to Vancouver, experienced this challenge firsthand. “When you filter for pet-friendly housing, your options are cut in half, and the rent prices usually double,” Methea said. “It took me about a month and a half to find a dog-friendly place.”
The BC SPCA emphasizes the urgency of the issue as the fall provincial election approaches. “We are seeing an increase in pets being surrendered for housing reasons,” said Sarah Herring, government relations officer with the BC SPCA. “It’s consistently the number one reason for the surrender of healthy, loved adult animals in British Columbia.”
While Ontario prohibits landlords from banning pets, similar efforts in B.C. have stalled. In 2020, the previous Vancouver City Council passed a motion to ban ‘no pets’ clauses in residential contracts, but the province has yet to amend the Residential Tenancy Act, rendering the motion ineffective.
The BC SPCA is not advocating for specific legislative changes but is calling on the government to bring together stakeholders to find collaborative solutions. “We don’t have all the answers, which is why we’re asking the government to facilitate discussions among stakeholders,” Herring stated.
Other priorities for the upcoming election include mandatory microchipping for all pets and provincial support for providing pet food at food banks.
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