The City of Kingston announced recently that their Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee will be meeting to review the city’s current animal control bylaws, and will be considering whether a limit on the number of pets allowed in a residence is necessary. Presently, the only limit placed on pets in Kingston is on backyard hens.
Advocates for placing pet ownership limits believe it could be an important first step towards preventing animal hoarding, overcrowding, and neglect. These problems are particularly apparent in rental housing and low-income housing units throughout the city.
By limiting the number of animals permitted to live within a household, property managers believe that they can minimize destruction caused by unruly pets. In fact, many landlords cite destruction from animals as the number one source of damage to rental units after tenants move out.
Pet ownership limits would include all animals except for fish. This means hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, and other exotic pets would be included alongside cats and dogs.
There is no word yet on what that limit might be.
On the other hand, the Kingston Humane Society argues that limits will not prevent irresponsible pet ownership. They believe that you can be a very responsible pet owner with five or more pets, and just as irresponsible with only one pet.
Limiting the number of pets allowed in a residence could also mean a ban on in-home breeding. This could be a positive step towards deterring irresponsible and inexperienced ‘backyard’ breeders trying to make a quick buck. However, a pet ownership limit will almost certainly have a very negative impact on the ethical and responsible breeders who also operate out of their home.
Dozens of municipalities across Ontario already limit the number of pets allowed per household. In Toronto, there is a maximum of three dogs and six cats permitted per dwelling, for example. In Hamilton, there is a limit of four domestic pets per household.
Meaford Bylaw 017-2013 limits pet ownership in the Municipality of Meaford to three dogs, however this does not apply to kennels, boarding facilities, or breeding facilities. Dogs under the age of three months are also exempt. All dogs living within the Municipality are to be spayed or neutered, have a valid rabies tag, and have a valid annual license tag.
For our feline friends, the Municipality of Meaford places a limit of six cats per household. Currently, there are no limits on exotic pet ownership.
Under the current bylaw, a household in Meaford can have nine or more animals. If the goal is to reduce damage to rental properties, prevent overcrowding, and to eliminate opportunities for animal neglect, perhaps nice is too generous of a limit.
On the other hand, are pet ownership limits being respected and followed in our community?
Ultimately, I don’t know if a pet ownership limit truly matters when the primary focus should be on animal care education. Understanding how to provide proper care for our pets is a far more valuable asset than solely enforcing pet ownership limits. Whether you have one pet or one hundred, the capacity for neglect runs parallel with the level of animal care education of the individual.
So, the question I ask you is, should Meaford focus on enforcing animal ownership limits, or should the Municipality make efforts to help educate their pet-owning residents? If the focus should be on maintaining limits, are the current limits strict enough to be meaningful?
The Municipality of Meaford is well known as a pet-friendly community. Collectively, we should be taking a proactive approach to responsible pet ownership.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon is certified in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
