Tag: Media – Companion animals

Quebec’s housing tribunal rules no-pet clause in rental lease violates Charter rights | CBC News

A recent ruling by Quebec’s housing tribunal has found the no-pet clause of a rental lease to be in violation of the province’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

Renters in Quebec have stronger grounds to challenge no-pet clauses in leases, marking important progress for those who are denied housing simply because they share their homes with companion animals.

“A recent ruling by Quebec’s housing tribunal has found a rental lease’s no-pet clause to be in violation of the province’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, marking a significant advancement in the protection of tenants’ rights when it comes to the issue of pets.”

“This is the first time the no-pet clause has been challenged based on Quebec Charter rights, specifically articles 1 and 5 that pertain to privacy and the right to personal freedom.”

Advocacy for renters with pets

The Montreal SPCA has been fighting to ban no-pet clauses in rental housing for more than a decade.

“More than half of Quebec families now include a pet, according to the SPCA, and challenges with finding housing that allows pets is one of the main reasons animals are surrendered to local shelters.”

By separating animals from the guardians who love them, no-pet clauses cause harm to both humans and animals. They also disproportionately impact individuals living on a lower income, who are far more likely to rent rather than own their homes. An end to these clauses would be a huge win for animal well-being and equity.

What does this mean for current clauses?

“The tribunal’s decision does not automatically invalidate all no-pet clauses across Quebec. However, … this case sets a precedent and means these clauses can now be challenged on these grounds.”

Where B.C. stands on no-pet clauses

Ontario is currently the only province in Canada where no-pet clauses are officially banned. The clauses are still allowed in British Columbia.

Last year, Vancouver City Council voted to push for more pet-friendly housing by asking the Province to eliminate no-pet clauses, and reviewing local housing policies to make sure renters aren’t punished for having a companion animal. The VHS’s Executive Director, Amy Morris, spoke in support of the motion before it was passed.

Across North America, we’re seeing meaningful progress to protect animals from medically unnecessary procedures. This is a great sign that awareness and compassion are driving real change.

More governments moving away from harmful procedures

Ontario could ban declawing cats, debarking dogs under new regulations | CBC News

Ontario appears set to push ahead with a ban on declawing cats and debarking and ear cropping dogs, a move animal welfare advocates say is years overdue and doesn’t go far enough.

The Province of Ontario is currently considering a ban on procedures such as declawing, debarking, and ear cropping when they are not medically necessary.

These surgeries, often performed for human convenience rather than animal health, can cause lasting physical and behavioural harm. For instance, debarking removes an important way that dogs communicate, while declawing can cause lasting pain, nerve damage, increased aggression, and difficulties walking normally.

The state of California also recently took action to protect companion animals. A statewide ban on medically unecessary declawing came into effect at the beginning of 2026, reinforcing the growing recognition that removing a cat’s claws—which involves amputating part of each toe—is not a humane solution to scratching.. The state joins others such as New York, Maryland, and Virginia, which have passed similar laws.

Where B.C. stands on medically unecessary procedures for pets

For more than a decade, the College of Veterinarians of B.C. (CVBC) has prohibited cosmetic procedures such as tail docking and ear cropping. In 2023, the CVBC strengthened its protections by also banning declawing and debarking when not medically necessary.

Ontario remains the only province without restrictions on cosmetic procedures for pets; but that could soon change. These developments reflect a broader shift away from practices rooted in convenience and toward policies grounded in the science of animal well-being.

• The Vancouver Humane Society is raising alarms about a dramatic increase in emergency veterinary assistance requests.
• The McVitie Fund, which provides life-saving veterinary assistance to low-income B.C. residents, has seen more than 10 times as many applications so far in 2025 compared to 2020.
• The rising cost of living as a driving force behind the growing need for help.
• The VHS is reaching out to the community to help pets come home safe and calling for long-term solutions so no animal guardian is forced to choose between paying for their basic needs and life-saving pet care.

Read or watch the news story from CTV News Vancouver below.

Vancouver Humane Society raises alarm over surge in emergency veterinary assistance requests

The Vancouver Humane Society has expressed serious concerns regarding what they describe as an alarming trend in emergency veterinary assistance requests, which have reached unprecedented levels.

“The Vancouver Humane Society has expressed serious concerns regarding what they describe as an alarming trend in emergency veterinary assistance requests, which have reached unprecedented levels.”

“Chantelle Archambault from the Vancouver Humane Society referred to the McVitie Fund as a ‘lifeline for people who have nowhere else to turn.'”

“We’re seeing the cost of living is impacting everyone, and they’re just struggling to keep up,” she added.

“The program is designed to assist those living below the poverty line. Many beneficiaries rely on income sources such as Persons With Disabilities, Income Assistance, Canada Pension Plan, or Old Age Security.”

“Archambault explained that many individuals are left with only $100 to $200 after paying rent, making a large veterinary bill devastating.”

• New polling highlights the impact that the cost of living crisis has on companion animals and their guardians.
• Data from Gallup, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada shows that half of pet guardians have not brought their pets to the veterinarian for care within the past year or have declined previous recommended care.
• Demand for the VHS’s McVitie Fund, which offers emergency veterinary support for low-income pet guardians across B.C., has grown significantly over the past five years.

Read the article below by journalist Serah Louis to learn more about how the cost of living crisis is impacting animals and those who care for them.

Soaring costs are forcing some Canadians to limit vet visits or even give up their pets

‘The magnitude of the problem in Canada alone is billions of dollars a year,’ says PetSmart Charities of Canada. Find out more

“Chantelle Archambault, communications director at the Vancouver Humane Society, said its McVitie program, which provides emergency funding for life-saving veterinary care for pets in low-income households across B.C., has ballooned from less than 200 applications in 2020 to about 1,600 in 2024.”

“‘This year, we have already processed more than 900 applications,’ Archambault said in an email, noting more people are struggling to afford veterinary care as the cost of living has gone up.”

“‘Increasingly, applicants … mention that their rent alone is nearly the same as their full monthly income,’ she added. ‘Many applicants report having only $100 to $200 per month left for food for themselves, their pet and other necessities.'”

Alberta woman calls for family law changes surrounding pets | Globalnews.ca

An Alberta woman is calling for changes to the way pets are dealt with under provincial family law, after similar changes in B.C. earlier this year.

An advocate in Alberta has launched a petition asking that the Alberta goverment follow B.C.’s lead in considering pets as more than property under family law.

The provincial government in B.C. made changes to the Family Law Act this past January. With these changes, pets are no longer treated as “property” in divorce and separation proceedings, recognizing their safety, well-being, and place as part of the family.

Animals still considered property under Canadian Law

Animals are still considered property under federal law. The Vancouver Humane Society, along with animal protection organizations and experts across the country, is calling on the federal government to recognize animals as sentient beings with a new petition.

Can you support this important initiative and help strengthen legal protections for animal well-being?

Read or watch the story on Global News: As animal shelters across the country are in crisis with an overflow of animals, animal organizations are pushing to end pet restrictions in rental housing.

“A recent parliamentary petition started by Humane Canada is asking the House of Commons to include a specific provision for tenants with pets in the new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights that was proposed in the 2024 federal budget.”

Read more about how pet-friendly rental housing helps animals and the humans who love them, and sign the petition from the Parliament of Canada website!

Content warning: This article describes a case of intimate partner control and various forms of abuse.

MPs vote to criminalize coercive control to protect victims of intimate partner violence | CBC News

Members of Parliament have voted unanimously to criminalize coercive control, a pattern of behaviour that can perpetuate domestic abuse.

A new bill to criminalize coercive control has passed unanimously at the House of Commons and will move onto the next stage at Senate. Thanks to the advocacy of Humane Canada, this animals are recognized in the new legislation.

Coercive control often involves abusers threatening, manipulating, or harming companion animals to exert control over their human victims. The new bill would criminalize these behaviours, including:

• Attempted and threatened violence toward an intimate partner’s animal
• Controlling or attempting to control the manner in which an intimate partner cares for their companion animal

Thank you to everyone who advocated for animals to be included in this bill!

P.S. Did you know that the VHS offers a free trauma-informed training for people working in animal services, which includes stories from survivors of coercive control involving their companion animals? This training can help animal service providers to better understand the varied experiences of animal guardians in the community and to create safer, happier outcomes for animals and humans alike.

Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024

Bill 159 from Parliament 43 Session 1 of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024.

A new law in Ontario has made puppy mills illegal in the province and introduced greater protections against the unethical breeding and sales of puppies. The Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales (PUPS) Act received Royal Assent in Ontario on June 6.

Advocates from Ontario including Laurie Ristmae, the founder of ARF Ontario and the executive director of the East London Animal Hospital, called this bill “a huge step in the right direction” when it was tabled in December. Ristmae noted that enforcement of the law will be key.

Other advocates like Camille Labchuk from Animal Justice are calling for the law to be strengthened, with proposed changes including requiring breeders in Ontario be registered and licensed.

Pets are no longer ‘property’ under B.C. family law | Watch News Videos Online

Watch Pets are no longer ‘property’ under B.C. family law Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

B.C. family courts will no longer treat pets as “property” in divorce and separation proceedings, recognizing their safety, well-being, and place as part of the family.

“It breaks new legislative ground for treating companion animals as valued family members,” said V. Victoria Shroff of Shroff Animal Law.