The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took in 153 pets from June 29 to July 5, and a quarter of the abandonments were due to moving. The organization is holding a free adoption day this Sunday to help rehome these furry and feathered orphans.
Even though moves are happening more and more throughout the year, the Montreal shelter still sees a higher number of abandonments around the 1er July. “Throughout the year, we receive about one animal per day for moving reasons,” says the executive director of the Montreal SPCA, Laurence Massé. During the Canada Day weekend and the five days following, she receives five times as many daily.
And the increases are piling up. From January to April 2024, the Montreal SPCA was entrusted with 220 more animals than during the same period the previous year, an increase of 21%. In 2023, the increase was also 21% compared to 2022.
In total, in 2023, the organization adopted 4,586 animals, an increase of 14.1% over one year.
Inflation
“Behind every abandonment, there is a financial reason,” explains Laurence Massé. “We really have the impression that inflation has pushed some families to abandon their animals. […] “It’s much more expensive to care for a pet now than it used to be.”
The price of food, which has been rising steadily for the past two years, could explain why many dogs are being abandoned — up 35% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2023 — she says. “A big dog eats a lot! So just for that, we need to increase the budget.”
Moreover, Quebecers clearly underestimate the annual maintenance costs of a cat or dog, according to the Association of Veterinarians of Quebec (AMVQ).
Cat owners expected to pay $869 in 2024 to care for their companion and dog owners, $1,384, according to a Léger survey commissioned by the AMVQ and published in January 2024. The association estimates that it costs at least $1,099 per year to care for an indoor cat and $2,307 to care for a large breed dog.
In addition to the cost of maintenance, if we include that of health insurance, as well as sums for possible medical expenses, the annual expenses to be expected would be $3,197 for an adult cat and $4,736 for a large adult dog, calculates the AMVQ.
Housing crisis
“Every year, I have more than 400 animals that are abandoned just at the Montreal SPCA because their families can’t find housing,” laments Laurence Massé, who says she feels the effects of the housing shortage on the ground.
Still according to the AMVQ, 52% of Quebec households have a pet and a quarter of households have a dog. However, only 4.2% of owners accept animals without conditions, according to the SPCA.
The Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec (CORPIQ) stated in an October 2022 note that a quarter of owners allow animals in their homes “and this rate goes up to 65%, with certain restrictions, for cats.”
Legislative change
Number wars aside, it remains much more difficult to find affordable housing for a household with a pet. This is why, in May 2023, Québec solidaire tabled Bill 494 to amend the Civil Code to prohibit clauses in a lease prohibiting pets.
“We are convinced that the only solution is a legislative change,” says Laurence Massé, who would like Quebec to take inspiration from Ontario and France, which prohibit such provisions in rental leases.
The office of the Minister responsible for Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, indicated on Saturday to Duty that “there has been no follow-up at this time since the bill was tabled.”
“We understand that the situation can be difficult for tenants trying to accommodate their pets. We must find a fair balance between the rights of tenants and those of landlords,” he adds. The firm emphasizes that in the event of a dispute, landlords and tenants can assert their positions before the Administrative Housing Tribunal.
For those who have no choice but to part with their animal, “what we recommend is to first look in [son] network, said Mme Massé. Who better than someone who already knows the animal?
She also invites people who have the opportunity to welcome an animal into their home to come and adopt from the SPCA, if they have the means.