The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is advocating for the removal of rental regulations that prohibit pets, as the number of abandoned animals surrendered to the organization has surged this month.

SPCA executive director Sylvie Bourbonnière reported that the organization is currently receiving more than double the usual number of surrendered pets, with some days seeing up to 70 animals.This increase is attributed to landlords imposing strict restrictions or outright rejecting rental applications from pet-owning residents.The situation has exacerbated housing challenges for both SPCA staff and volunteers, adding significant financial and operational pressure.

Montreal’s rental market, traditionally associated with high turnover around Canada Day, has seen a spike in animal surrenders, with abandoned pets frequently appearing at SPCA facilities.

The organization emphasizes the need for policy changes to address the growing crisis, highlighting the importance of pets as companions and the responsibility of landlords to accommodate them without undue hardship.

The SPCA’s call to action reflects broader societal concerns about housing accessibility and animal welfare, urging provincial authorities to reconsider current rental restrictions that disproportionately affect vulnerable pet owners.