Montreal SPCA challenges political parties to address no-pet clauses

The Montreal SPCA is urging Quebec politicians to commit to rendering null and void no-pet clauses in residential leases.

The call comes as Moving Day on July 1 is only a matter of weeks away, and the SPCA is speaking out to address ongoing issues with the province’s no-pet clause, allowing landlords to prohibit tenants from keeping pets in their homes.

With more than 50 per cent of households having pets, the SPCA says this clause is restrictive and has a significant impact on those forced to abandon their animals to find somewhere to live amid the housing crisis.

“We’re at over 13 per cent of surrenders compared to the same period last year. So we’re anticipating a really devastating moving season this year, especially in the context of the housing crisis, in the context of the economic times that we’re in,” said Sophie Gaillard, Director of Animal Advocacy and Legal and Government Affairs at the Montreal SPCA.

Many of those most affected by the bans are individuals who have pets for various supports, including loneliness. Additionally, children and seniors benefit the most from having a pet, and a recent study conducted by JAMA Network shows that pets improves well-being among seniors.

“At the Montreal SPCA, we see the growing problems caused by these extremely restrictive and arbitrary clauses every day,” says Gaillard in a statement.

“The impact is significant, not only for the animals themselves and for shelters overflowing as a result of forced surrenders, but also for the families broken up by these unfair clauses, who contact us in distress when faced with heartbreaking choices.”

Past efforts, such as a petition with over 33 thousand signatures in 2022 supporting its nullification and a Bill tabled by Quebec Solidaire in 2023, failed, but organizations are still hopeful the clause can be voided like it has in other places.

“There was a Bill 494 which was presented in the National Assembly to remove the prohibition of landlords to not allow pets. Unfortunately, that bill did not become law. The Quebec animal law community or DAQ is advocating that as in Ontario and as in France, that landlords not be allowed to impose a prohibition of animal beings at the time of rental,” said Nicolas Morello, the president and founder of Quebec Animal Law Community.

Gaillard added: “Ontario has since 1990 invalidated no pet clauses, France has banned these clauses since 1970. So, there are other jurisdictions that have done away with this issue decades and decades ago.”

According to Gaillard, the shelter averages one surrendered pet a day due to housing issues, and they’ve had over 140 pet surrenders since the beginning of 2025.

“The Montreal SPCA today is launching a campaign to call on Quebec’s political parties to take a stand regarding no pet clauses. These have devastating impacts not only on animals, but also on people every year,” said Gaillard.

The organization and others alike also invite the public to mobilize to denounce this situation that they say has become critical.

“It’s important to speak to the government, to sign petitions, to speak to neighbors, friends, and family about the importance that we all attach to animal beings as companions. I believe that the more the issue is discussed, the greater attention the legislator will apply to look at the situation,” said Morello.

“We’re inviting our supporters and anyone who’s concerned by this to visit our website as SPCA.com, contact their MNA and tell them that the parties in Quebec need to take a stand. We also have a walk, a solidarity Walk to Keep Families Together, planned on May 25.”

The Walk to Keep Families Together will start at 1 p.m. in Montreal at Square Saint-Louis.