Our last edition included a story about a woman fighting to keep her dog with her in a Burnaby strata unit that allows for only one dog (see story at www.burnabynow.com).
In a nutshell, she moved in with a fellow who already had a small dog, and the strata rules clearly have a one-dog rule. One of the dogs has to go.
Readers were quick to respond saying that she knew the rules, so where’s the beef? They’re right, of course.
The rule is clear, and the strata has the right to enforce the regulation.
No matter that the woman and her dog are in a bind, that’s not the strata’s responsibility to figure out.
But the story raises a larger question of the rights, if any, of pet owners in relation to housing.
In Ontario, a law forged in 1990 forbids landlords to discriminate against pet owners. While it appears that landlords still try to avoid renters with pets, at least, in that province, there is a system that can adjudicate complaints.
Pet and rental advocates are hoping B.C. will bring in a similar law. But the province has scrupulously avoided any such suggestions.
As it stands now, there are very few landlords in the Lower Mainland who welcome pets. Unfortunately, irresponsible pet owners have made it more difficult, and given that the rental market is so tight, landlords can pretty much set their own rules on pets.
And if you’re a person on a low income, the market choices are even slimmer.
This is unfortunate.
A cat or a dog often provides important companionship to single folks and/or the elderly.
Research has shown that having a pet has health benefits that include, but are not limited to, lower blood pressure and exercise. Pet ownership also contradicts isolation and encourages socialization.
We are a pet-crazy society, and yet we have built a housing situation where you almost have to own your own home to have a pet.
Add that to the burden being placed on pet shelters when renters are forced to choose between keeping their companion or giving them up, and you have a serious problem.
Ontario political leaders believed that no-pet clauses were unreasonable and contrary to a tenant’s fundamental right to privacy and the basic need for shelter.
We’re not sure if that’s an argument that passes muster in B.C., but surely we can at least start requiring a percentage of newly built rental accommodations to allow pets.
That seems to be only fair to pet owners and their furry companions.
