Discussions

It breaks my heart every time I see people giving away a pet because they’re moving. Especially elderly cats and dogs, YOU are that animals whole life. If you have to move, find someplace that will let you take your animal?? Instead of discarding them. Or don’t get a pet at all. I see it all the time, it’s disgusting how you can just give away an animal who has only wanted your love and affection who you’ve have for years.

Yes , I agree so mean . If you do really have to move find a pet friendly place.

I feel that a little empathy can help in this situation.  
 
Don't get me wrong, I agree that people who have pets should be as committed to that pet as humanly possible. Giving them away should be an absolute last resort. That being said, you don't know what is in another person's heart in these instances. Sure, they could be heartless or not care, but I can promise you that many people in this situation who have had their pet for a long time do not feel good about it.  
 
You also don't know the reason why another person is moving. Perhaps they lost their job and can no longer afford to live where they do, perhaps their only option was to move for work and they can't afford a place that allows pets. Perhaps someone is moving into a care home and has no nearby family who can take the pet in. There are plenty of possibilities.  
 
Bottom line is that sometimes people are no longer able to care for a pet that they anticipated they would be able to care for until the end. Life circumstances can change very quickly. You don't really know if someone has done everything they can.

I have been trying to find an affordable pet friendly place that will take cats. I am single. Brandon is a super expensive place to live and wages are not that great. Probably about 95% of the places in brandon are no pets allowed.  
 
Have you considered that people have no choice about moving as they can no longer afford to live where they are?? Maybe they are trying to leave a toxic situation??  
 
I know it is very sad. I myself am finding a place that works with price rage, cats and my disability

Maybe don't get a pet if you're renting.  
 
Wait until you own a home so you don't need to worry about the rules set out by land Lords.  
 
Im sure that's an unpopular opinion to the renter's out there but I always wanted a dog but I know the responsible thing to do was wait until I bought a house before I got a pet. A land Lord can give you notice to move out at any time and leave you in a position of needing a new home and in Brandon affordable, pet friendly places are extremely hard to find.

Have to agree with the above poster. I rented for years and always wanted a pet but knew it would be difficult to find somewhere that allowed them.  
 
Now that we own a home we have two cats and I would live in my car before I rehomed them. They are family.

For many, home ownership will never happen. However, if you do find a pet-friendly place: what about fostering? Rescue provides everything so no/little cost to you. They will take the pet back if your situation changes too I'm sure. Just a thought. I realize many situations arise wherein one must move so I hope I don't point fingers.

Not allowing pets should be illegal on the basis that they can be a necessity for people with various disabilities.  
 
Discriminating against pet ownership is discriminating against disabled peoples.  
 
I'm not taking any questions, so landlords can enjoy raging about my opinion in to the abyss.

Brandon is becoming harder and harder to find affordable places to rent let alone a place that allows pets. I don’t think it’s a big deal if people are trying to rehome so they can get a place . It’s better than dropping them off in the country and pets can love and be loved by others also . The people who shouldn’t have pets are the ones that neglect them or can’t afford to feed them. I don’t see anyone calling them out but I’ve seen on here and on FB where they ask someone for food or help with vet bills . I guess as a society we are so fast to judge someone and tend to pick and choose what types of people we complain about and ignore the other issues. Or is it that you lead a lonely life and the only way to be happy is to crap on others ? Only reason why someone would use this platform is to seek out attention. You want change ? Do something about it . Be the change and not the problem and if you don’t have a solution then stay in your lane. Have a great day everyone .

I think this is mostly a senior pets issue, for me. To rehome a young pet at least gives them a better chance at bonding with a new owner, it’s when they’ve been in the family 10+ years it’s super heartbreaking. I don’t believe everyone who does this is evil incarnate though, there’s absolutely people are suffering with having to make this choice.  
 
This is ultimately a landlord issue, though. It’s sad to think of the pets being rehomed or in shelters waiting for great homes that could be provided by people who are otherwise capable, but are deterred by poor policies. Like it was said before, it feels like discrimination when there are those with disabilities who have service/support animals that can’t find homes because of a no-pets policy. Also, with the prices of rent as they are it seems a little asinine to not allow someone to bring their cat/dog to a rental. You would have to be the most neglectful of pet owners for a single pet to destroy a rental, and beyond that- do you not already pay a damage deposit when you sign the rental agreement? Beyond pets, I’ve seen ads requesting the tenants be of a certain age or gender- why is this a non-issue?

Oh, I have absolutely no problem crapping on people who mistreat, abuse, neglect, and/or abandon animals. I as well am tired of seeing people rehoming their pets because their lifestyle or circumstances change. Pets are a financial, time-consuming life long commitment and those who are unable to make that commitment should never get a pet. Period.  
 
Speaking of immature, selfish people......now is the time of year that people start thinking of running out and getting their kids cute little bunnies only to lose interest in them and abandon them in a few months. For once people, please fight the urge to be cruel and stupid and just don't do it.  
 
I do agree that for those who can't afford to have children or are too self involved to raise them shouldn't do so, but I digress.  
 
And how's about you not tell myself or others how to feel or react. Have a great day.  
 
Edited by Gussins, 2023-02-09 01:34:19

What I’m tired of is irresponsible people dumping cats and dogs in the country which we then end up giving a home, taking care of and finding them necessary vet care including spay and neuter if needed at our own cost I might add, but apparently farmers are cruel and heartless.  
The care of any animal is a great responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Own a house and let a stranger in with a pet. After a year go check out the condition of your house. Pets in rentals have been such a problem when it comes to damage the tenancy branch allows one full month rent as a pet deposit on top of the 1/2 month damage deposit. The hard reality is most tenants are not responsible enough to own animals.

Being a landlord is inherently unethical regardless, I don’t have much sympathy for them. It’s directly contributing to homeownership being out of reach for younger generations. I don’t see how someone can complain about the “struggle” of profiting off of peoples basic need for housing.  
 
Regardless, I agree with some of the above. Treating pets like accessories is gross. If you don’t think animals have capacity for feelings, you shouldn’t be a pet owner.

And both are rescues. My last one passed away at the age of 17. I them fostered and got 1 and 5 years layer got another. I have them as a doctor recommendation. You would never know i have cats coming into my home as it doesn't smell and they use scratching posts not furniture or carpet to sharpen nails. They have never sprayed and the place is actually cleaner than the previous tenants who didn't have pets and left my place a mess. We are talking gravel in the bathtub.

Trust me, your cats leave an odor. It might not be strong, but it's there. We become nose blind to things we smell all the time, much like how a smoker doesn't realize how much they stink. I have pets (and kids) and I don't notice the smells day-to-day, but go away for a few days? You better believe I notice it when we come home. And our dog is fairly clean, gets groomed/bathed regularly etc. I didn't notice litter box smells too much in other people's houses when I had cats, but now I can smell it as soon as I walk in the door of someplace that has cats.  
 
Sorry. Animals (and people) stink, even when you do everything right. It's a hard smell to get rid of.

In Ontario, no pets clauses in leases are (or at least were the last time I checked) void and unenforceable.  
 
Some landlords will still try to tell prospective tenants they can't have pets, but once you've signed the lease, there's nothing they can do if you have pets.

I just got to love how topics like this always takes a spin and drill at the landlords. Pets are the responsibility of the pet owner, not any one else. A months rent for a deposit doesn't replace carpet or the sealing paint to cover the stink coming from the subfloor. Way too much entitlement is happening these days and way too much expression of ones self-pity, as well. I understand that certain people want a companion and try to justify that their wants and/or needs should supersede over others. But why should that have to affect my mental/physical wellbeing or my bottom line as a landlord? Yeah, we're the evil ones being "inherently unethical, regardless". If we have to replace floors, it's always fifteen to thirty days of having that unit out of service. ...Glad to know there's "no sympathy" to us from some. I guess our emotions are valued less then that of the tenants. You don't think when the city raises the property taxes and the water/sewer rates multiple times higher over the increases allowed by the Residential Tenancies Branch, doesn't give us stress & high blood pressure? Everything is going up with costs over the years and we're held by law to follow the rate freeze enforced by the Rentalsmen during COVID. Our overhead gets costlier, while margins get tighter, but sure, let's take a chance on someone having a pet. Have you ever pulled up a four year old carpet so soiled that you're gaging through your respirator? Have you ever felt like your heart was being ripped out when you see that vinyl plank floor that's only a year old totally scratched to hell by untrimmed dog nails, only to turn around and see the inside of the door & frame, paintless and gouged? We have. Ever tried to go after a former tenant to recoup the costs of the loss? ...It doesn't end well for either party. But I suppose all you "discriminated pet owners" can't look beyond your narrow mindful life for it's hardships on following rules, being told what to do and not getting everything you want. That your adventitious attitude of "you first" should be the new normal. Sorry, but that "discrimination" is one of the last things we have for landlords rights. To be able to select our tenants by how they will be as an investment for our business venture. The customer isn't always right when they're not actually a customer... Tenants are people bound in a contract agreement with a landlord. Both parties have to mutually agree to the terms before proceeding. If the landlord doesn't agree with one of the tenants terms, such as a pet, the action doesn't get fulfilled, thus never making them a actual customer/client.  
 
Accountability and responsibility are two characteristics being diminished in the human culture. Modern developed, western society has produced the latest generation with the greatest number of individuals with this deficiency. A mass of "loud, spoiled finger-pointers" has taken, not just their soap-boxes to be heard, but main stage to gather everyone's attention in distracting the audience of their avoidance to resolve problems created by their own actions or inactions. Why are the landlords being blamed for pet abandonment? These ding-dongs without a permanent housing can read through the listings... "no pet policy" are the majority of rental listings. Shouldn't this primary fact, be an consideration, before getting a pet? To this generation... "No, hear our grievance and demand immediate change of the policy, without feedback, discussion, questions or deliberations". ...The child hive mind has spoken. I suppose there's a reason for that madness. Maybe I'm unaware that the majority of landlords are selling pets and their no pet policy contradicts with all the fury companions they're providing to the public? Now I've made the connection that it's our fault. *sarcasm* I should also supposed that it's landlords keeping people from buying homes to have their pets, as well. Because landlords control everything. We set the minimum wages, the job availabilities, school tuitions, energy prices, taxation, interest rates and of course inflation on all consumer products. HOLLY CRAP! I'VE SPILLED THE BEANS!!! We are the ILLUMINATI!!!! A secret underworld society that consists mainly of landlords that control everything, so that we don't have to always cut out and replace drywall where the cat's litterbox sat against. Well, one secret is out. I can't wait for you people to find out the real reason why we are against waterbeds. Oops, I said too much.  
 
Did I take this off topic from the OP?  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

The irony of calling people “childish” for voices concerns during that stroke-inducing post is insane. I just want to inform you that it came across incredibly unhinged.  
 
How about, I don’t know, finding another venture for a source of income instead of hoarding a basic necessity over peoples heads and acting like a victim of the situation you created for yourself?  
 
Best of luck to you.

landlord issue. The landlord has made an investment in order to make a living for himself. In my opinion he has the right to do what is needed to protect that investment. If that means not renting to people with pets so be it.  
I had damage done to a rental by pets and their owners. Over $6000.00 damage to floors and doors the damage deposit covered a small portion of the damage. Plus the unit was out of service for over a month. I am no longer in the rental business and never will be due to the entitled attitude of tenants.  
 
I agree with the basis of snowmans post below, he kind of got off course, but he is right.  
 
Life is full of tough decisions and always has been.  
 
I want to go on a warm winter vacation out of country, but do not because I can not afford the health insurance. So I do not go even though I am sure the warm weather would help my mood, and aches and pains. That is the responsible thing to do. Or should I go just because it would me feel better and if I have health issues expect someone else to pick up the tab. That is what you are saying by insisting that all rentals should allow pets.  
 
By insisting landlords should allow pets, you are saying that the landlord should subsidize something will make you feel better. Is that fair?  
 
As for real service animals, there are laws that prevent you for not renting to their owners.  
Part of the problem is you can pay a small fee and get all kinds of fake documents and vests for pets to pretend certify them as a service animal. The way I know this is I had a neighbor who was telling they where getting these documents for their dogs so they could take them into the grocery store as they did not want to leave them in the car. I called him out on it and told him to leave the animals at home.  
 
Any one who does that should be ashamed of themselves. They are are doing real service animals owners a big disfavor. Also you are not helping responsible pet owners.  
 
I feel for pet owners, but landlords need to protect their investment. So please do not knock down landlords because your wants should in no way over ride his right to protect his investment.  
 
Maybe another way to look at it is line your pet toilet with 5 dollar bills and only spend the ones that are not wet or dirty. That is what you are asking landlords to do.  
 
Edited by Floyd3, 2023-02-09 19:51:46

Unfortunately emotional support animals are not really recognized.. some of do not use it as an excuse to take the dog into the the store but some people do suffer from severe depression. ( more than you think) and when you leave an apartment better then when you came and it was rented out less than a week later after you moved out ( because you actually made sure it was professionally cleaned). Unfortunately a few bad pet parents ruined for the good ones.  
 
And what if you are unable to have kids?? I know you can adopt but for a single person a small pet is very comforting.  
 
I knew someone who allowed pets in thier apartment and they let thier dog go wherever they wanted. So I know what the other side is saying but not everyone is like that, there should be an option as usually for most people there are reasons and most are trustworthy.  
 
Some people also do bot have the best luck in life. They work really hard but can never get a break or just can't seem to land that awesome paying job. It's not asking "give me a free place to live" just I would love to afford a place to live. To afford a average placebin Brandon tou would need to make min. $19/h  
 
I totally agree with the spay and nuter. As soon as my guys(and gal) were old enough they got fixed

I probably have a very separate opinion on the topic, but I really feel that our society allows waaay too much entitlement for pet owners. I really do love animals, but my stance on dogs is far from the norm… I personally would not live in any apartment or home that had allowed pets…. Animals pooping, peeing, bitting my environment … yuck… honestly I find the whole concept kind of gross… the smell of animals in my home. Such a turnoff … plus add in the fact that dog attacks are SOOOOOO common… I for one am THANKFUL to not have to live in a building that allows animals… I have been homeless (like living under the bridge homeless - and no, ive never done drugs, smokes or even tasted alcohol for all those who think homelessness is due to the) and it always blew my mind that people cared more about their dogs than their fellow human….. but I digress…..

I've had both my cats for over 10 years now, I have moved a few times but they've always been with me.

I’m sure most of the pet owners keep a clean house and their pets clean . Most owners take pride in their belongings. I’m curious though.. You were homeless and you’re worried about pets and clean apartments? It doesn’t matter how or why you were homeless but I’m pretty confident that pets and the homes they live in are cleaner than a cardboard box under a bridge . People treat their pets like family. Everyone has to worry about their own . If you’re homeless due to illnesses/addiction then the social programs have failed them . Homelessness due to job loss/poor money management then that’s on them .  
 
Behaviour issues or dog attacks come from how they are treated and cared for . I have a Czech shepherd that money and time was invested and is well loved and cared for that doesn’t make a sound or is aggressive unless told to.  
 
As for landlords. I mean it’s their investment they have to protect so if a person has an animal and they need to regime it what other options are available? A human will definitely choose to rehome an animal. Not sure what’s the issue there as with some love and care the animals will most likely accept and adapt to the new environment. Again it’s better than just setting them free to roam. Now for the people who rehome cause they no longer can afford a pet due to being mortgage broke with these 600k homes being built and poor money management then ya that’s an issue.  
 
Edited by mikesims, 2023-02-11 04:17:13

Total cases of Cvid in Canada - 4.58M  
Total cases of dog bites in u.S per year - 4.7M.  
That sure puts things into perspective…..  
 
 
I don’t have time to pull more stats, but honestly, that is INSANITY!!! I have never met someone in my life that doesn’t know a close friend or family that has been injured by dogs. But people will treat me differently because I say I don’t like dogs lol if I say I don’t like smoking, no one has issus, if I say I don’t like guns, no one has issues. If I say I don’t like using plastic water bottles, no one has issues. Big G-d forbid I say I don’t like dogs… then people are writing paragraphs of how lovely their dog is and how they are the “cats meow”. And btw, I have met MANY family friendly dogs that have gone on to bite their family. And I am not meaning just nips, I mean people almost losing fingers or eyes… just saying

That’s the problem with statistics and why they should never be trusted . One can always make or alter statistics to suit their personal narrative and it happens all the time . You used a Canadian statistic compared to an American statistic for something completely different from countries with wildly differing population numbers . There is no perspective whatsoever and no credibility in quoting those two statistics.  
I have spent my life around animals and the FACT is that most animal attacks or bites are provoked or caused in some way by a human .  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2023-02-11 07:27:14

Anyone can argue all day the cause of the attack, the cause is not the issue, but the fact of that it happens is what I am debating….but with my stats that I have stated above - the cvid facts where the TOTAL number of cases for Canada… which means it spanned more than 1 year as Covid was over 1 year…. But the dog attack number I gave was specifically for 1 year…. So in theory and if we are wanting to be more accurate, since Covid really spanned 2 years, you could double the dog attack number. Either way, doesn’t play in favour of dog attacks…. But I feel this is now bringing this thread away from OPs initial issues. So I will stop .

You said: “I don’t think it’s a big deal if people are trying to rehome so they can get a place. It’s better than dropping them off in the country and pets can love and be loved by others also.”  
 
It’s people like you that don’t understand The stress level it is on your pet when you rehome them to someone else, no matter how good your intentions were. Your pet felt secure in your home. Your pet bonded with the people in your home. That animal had daily routines that is now going to be changed because someone decided they no longer want, need, it. They feel abandoned by the owner. Just because they are rehomed with love or put into shelters with foster care does not mean it’s not stressful on the animal!! He will remember his owner and be depressed. He may not eat or sleep. It could take up to three months or more before he becomes used to the other owners. What if the other owners neglect him, beat him. Have you ever thought about that? I would much rather wait for a house or an apartment to become available that is pet friendly than to ever give up my pets.

With animals the cause is always the issue because a human has usuallyeither put themselves in a poor position or caused some kind of stress provoking an attack on themselves or someone else, the cause generally is unwanted or poor human interaction. Statistics are irrelevant.  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2023-02-11 09:20:47

The service animals and their handlers are covered in the Human Rights Code of Manitoba. A service animal is defined in section 1 of the Human Rights Code as:  
 
 
 
“an animal that has been trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability that relates to that person's disability.”  
 
 
 
The code prohibits discrimination against individuals based on various characteristics including physical or mental disability or related characteristics or circumstances, including reliance on a service animal, a wheelchair, or any other remedial appliance or device. A person may have a disability that is physical or obvious such as blindness and rely on an animal for assistance that is quite apparent. A person may also have a disability that is not as obvious, such as a mental or invisible disability such as post-traumatic stress disorder or epilepsy, and rely on an animal for assistance in ways that are not readily apparent. This protection from discrimination i:ncludes requiring service providers, employers, and landlords to reasonably accommodate an individual’s need to rely on a service animal.  
 
 
 
Service animals are, in most cases, easy to identify by a special harness or vest and are under the care and control of their owner (harnessed, leashed, or tethered) when working. Some service animals may not feature identification when that can interfere with the work or task they perform. In some cases, if a person’s disability prevents them from maintaining physical control of their animal, they will maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other means. The law in Manitoba is not very clear about what animal can be deemed a service animal and that is usually determined by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission on a case-by-case basis. There is no standardized identification or certification of service animals in Manitoba. Therefore, any animal that is identified as having been trained, including self-trained, to provide assistance to someone with a disability, can be a service animal