Animals abandoned at Montreal SPCA up 21% with summer moving season approaching
Posted June 27, 2023 4:48 pm.
Last Updated June 27, 2023 11:27 pm.
The number of animals abandoned in the first four months of 2023 rose by 21 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the Montreal SPCA.
The animal rights organization says those figures don’t even encompass the “peak period for abandonment,” which is the beginning of summer in Montreal – as July 1 Moving Day approaches.
“The price of housing has gone up. The choices have gone down. And when they do find the right place, they’re not allowed to bring their pet with them. And so they have to make the heartbreaking decision to actually come to the SPCA and leave a member of their family with us,” said Anthony Johnson, CEO of SPCA Montreal.
“I think what we’re seeing is it’s the confluence of the inflation, the cost of housing crisis, along with an existing problem, which is that landlords in Quebec are allowed to refuse to have pets in their buildings. So, this is perfectly legal. And so a lot of people are coming up against the cost of housing crisis along with this ability that landlords have to refuse pets. It means their choices are really limited and their hands are tied and they need to make these terrible decisions.”
They are predicting that rate of surrenders will rise over the coming months.
“The summer moving season promises to be more challenging than ever this year for the SPCA,” the group says.
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The Montreal SPCA says more than one animal a day is abandoned because of a move.
Quebec currently has “no pet clauses” allowing landlords to prevent a tenant from keeping a pet. The SPCA says it will challenge it in court.
The Montreal SPCA says the shelter took an average 187 calls per day in April, May and June. That number rose to 255 calls per day in recent weeks, they say.
The shelter adds that on average it costs about one-thousand dollars to care for each animal from admission to adoption which includes medical treatment and behavioural assessment costs.
“Moves, evictions, separations, new owners and precarious situations were among the reasons frequently given for abandonment.”
The SPCA is looking for people to adopt or foster animals, volunteers or donations.
“At a time like this, we’re asking for donations as well as people to come forward and adopt because these are really expensive times of year for us. We have animals coming in not only from people abandoning, but, you know, for cats that are living outside this the time to have litters,” said Johnson.
The Montreal SPCA says they have a wide variety of animals available for adoption including about 100 cats, 30 dogs and 25 rabbits. While many are abandoning their pets at this time, others are looking to adopt.
“Oh, I want to adopt a dog. Because I hear that the SPCA is like the big community to adopt the dog, the animal. I arrived in Montreal, so I feel interesting. I want to see some. You know, I want to adopt a dog. That is the reason why I came here,” said Sieu Nguyen, a Montrealer hoping to adopt a dog.
Johnson says if you are considering welcoming an animal into your family, “please come and see us to adopt an animal and see if you can find the perfect fit for you. Our adoption counselors work to make sure that the animal will be an excellent fit for you and your family and your lifestyle as well. We do need support, financial support. So if you go to SPCA dot com for it, slash, donate and make a donation today, that’s also a great way to help out.”
-With files from Gareth Madoc-Jones
