Pet-friendly is generally understood to mean when a pet (also known as a companion animal) is allowed to be in a public or private space with their caretaker. Making places pet-friendly recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond. 

Cultures vary across the world, with countries, provinces, territories, and cities having varying levels of pet-friendliness. The European Union is home to some of the most pet-friendly countries. In Vienna, Austria, for example, you can take your dog into a coffee shop and on public transportation. In Switzerland you can take your dog on most public transportation, into many shops and stores, and into a large number of restaurants. Some Canadian cities are quite pet-friendly. Pets are welcome in many hotels and inns, on beaches and lakes, and at the famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Saskatoon is home to numerous pet-friendly businesses and workspaces:

● garden centres and hardware stores

● dog parks

● pet stores

● restaurant patios

● a variety of retail stores

● a cat café, The Purrfect Cup

Access to an up-to-date listing of pet-friendly places in Saskatoon is available at Bring Fido and SASKPETS.

Saskatoon also has several pet-friendly special events and services: 

● Blades hockey night with pets

● Pet Expo & Pets in the Park

● Dog kennels and daycare

● Dog training classes

● Dog shows and sports (everything from herding trials to trailing and locating)

● Hospital wards

● Groomers

● Indoor dog swimming pool & outdoor dock diving pool

● Mayfair United Church pet blessing

● The Star Phoenix Pet Magazine

Saskatoon is also leading the country in welcoming therapy dogs into spaces that have not traditionally allowed animals. This includes:      

● Hospital emergency departments

● University of Saskatchewan

● COVID-19 vaccination clinics

  

For nearly 40 years pets were not allowed in the popular Kiwanis Memorial Park in downtown Saskatoon. In October 2021, unanimous support was given to the city of Saskatoon’s policy committee to change Bylaw No. 7860, Animal Control Bylaw (1999)to include pets in this well-liked destination. 

 The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission defines a service animal as:

“… [an] animal with specialized training to assist a person with recognized physical and/or mental disabilities. The Service Animal must be able to take a specific action, when needed, to assist the person with an aspect of their disability. These may include a guide dog, hearing dog, assist dog, social signal dog, seizure response dog, and psychiatric service animal”.

Individuals with service dogs should not be discriminated against by service providers, businesses, employers, rental property owners and managers, and public facilities. Individuals with service animals have the right to request to be accommodated. Rental property owners and managers must accommodate individuals with service animals even if there is a no-pets policy in place. Exceptions are allowed where undue hardships exist. Pet caretakers have the responsibility to ensure proper control over the service animal, provide a brief description of the role of the service animal, and be aware that they are responsible for any damage or injury incurred.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS: The Saskatoon SPCA (2018) developed a helpful paper outlining the roles of service animals, access to public spaces, and differences from therapy and emotional support animals.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission defines an emotional support animal as: “…one that has been proven to be effective at alleviating symptoms of certain mental disorders but is not a Service Animal. These animals provide therapeutic nurture and support to their handlers/ partners, but have no specialized training. Emotional Support Animals may be prescribed by a professional or be proven retroactively where they started out as a pet but result in a person’s disability improving and are therefore identified by a professional as necessary. Typically, Emotional Support Animals are for at home support but they may be required for other forms of support by some people.”

If a tenant requests accommodation for their emotional support animal, they must provide evidence that they have a disability, require a support animal for their disability, and that they would be at risk of adverse health effects if they were unable to live with the animal. This is typically provided in a letter or prescription from a health care professional. The rental property is required to consider this request through the “reasonableness test.” Unless accommodating the emotional support animal would lead to undue hardship or may prove to be fatal for another tenant with an allergy, the rental property is required to accommodate them. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission explains that emotional support animals are not pets and no extra damage or security deposits can be charged to a tenant. Accommodation for emotional support animals in public spaces and facilities is currently under consideration in Saskatchewan. 

In September, 2020 the Saskatchewan Landlord Association released a position paper on emotional support animals in response to many tenants requesting to bring emotional support animals into units with a no-pets policy. The position paper states that all pets are meant to provide emotional support, deeming it unnecessary to have the separate category of emotional support animals. They identified the current Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Code on emotional support animals as vague and made several recommendations, including mandatory training for the animals.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS: The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation released a paper on emotional support animals, explaining who qualifies,     how a tenant can apply, and what happens after approval. 

Lease agreement: In Saskatchewan, a lease agreement must clearly state its policy on pets. If pets are allowed, the lease should include the number of pets allowed, size, breed, and species. If the lease fails to mention pets in the agreement, the property may not legally terminate the lease due to pets being in the home.

Breaking a lease: If a lease agreement is broken in Saskatchewan by the tenant for having pets in the unit, the tenant can receive an eviction notice from the landlord. If the tenant can rectify the violation within a time-limited grace period, they can continue living at the rental property. If not, then this may mean that a tenant has to re-home their pet or end their lease.

Additional pet fees: Rental property owners may charge a one-time pet fee, a monthly pet fee, or both. Neither is refundable at the end of the rental period. They may also charge an additional pet security deposit. The pet deposit plus the regular rental security deposit cannot exceed one month of rent. The security deposit and pet deposit are money held by the rental property during the tenant’s stay. At the end of the lease, the deposits are used to clean or repair anything damaged or left dirtied by the tenant and/or their pet. Rental property owners or managers have seven business days to return the security deposits to the tenant or give written notice of full or partial claim on the deposits.

Condominiums: Condominium owners who rent out their properties must ensure that their rental agreement matches with the condominium rules and policies. For example, if a condominium building has a no-pets policy, then the rental agreement should as well. If the condominium does allow pets, the owner is not required to allow pets in their unit.

Unit inspection: Inspection of a rental unit may happen if the tenant gives permission for entry at an agreed upon time or if a Notice of Entry form is issued to the tenant. Forms must be issued 24 hours in advance but not more than seven days before entry to the unit. The form must state the reason for entry, a maximum four-hour period of entry between 8am and 8pm, and the date of entry, which may not be a religious day of worship for the tenant. The rental property owner or manager may only enter the unit without notice in the case of an emergency or if there is sufficient evidence that the rental unit has been abandoned. When the property is entered legally by the landlord, it is important for the tenant to secure their animal and prevent them from interacting with anyone entering the unit unless consent to interacting with the animal is given. The animal can be secured with a leash or placed inside a crate or behind a closed door in a room the individuals entering the unit will not access. 

Disputes: Formal disputes between rental property owners or managers and tenants regarding pets are handled by the Office of Residential Tenancies, commonly known as the Rentalsman. A rental property owner or manager or tenant can make a claim directly to the Office of Rental Tenancies for a $50 filing fee. The Office of Rental Tenancies will schedule a hearing, where evidence from both parties will be reviewed by a hearing officer. The hearing officer will make a decision, which is enforceable by law.

Eviction: A notice of one month is required for most types of evictions, including for breaking lease restrictions involving pets. Rental property owners and managers must identify the reason for eviction on the eviction notice. A tenant may dispute the reason for eviction within 15 days of receiving it to the Office of Residential Tenancies. 

TO ACCESS PLAIN LANGUAGE LEGAL INFORMATION ABOUT RENTING, CONDOMINIUMS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND PETS IN THE COMMUNITY, VISIT: Saskatchewan’s source for free legal information – Public Legal Education Association (PLEA). 

It is well-established that many people consider pets to be family members. A joint Saskatchewan SPCA, PATHS, and STOPS to Violence study with human service workers reported that 77% of domestic violence victims did not flee from abusive situations because they did not want to leave their pets for various reasons, including fearing for the animals’ safety. 

Many of the domestic violence support services in Saskatoon do not allow pets, including transition housing, social support services, and shelters. Co-sheltering with pets have been allowed in a small number of  individual cases. There are two pet-friendly, co-sheltering second-stage housing programs in Saskatchewan, SOFIA House in Regina and Regina Transition House. Examples of other domestic violence shelters in Canada that have successfully incorporated pet safekeeping into their programs include the Crossroads Resource Centre in Alberta and Maplegate House in Ontario. 

An October 2021 report by the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services in Saskatchewan offers recommendations for training, legislation, and pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and rental housing for the province. 

PATHS, STOPS to Violence, and Saskatchewan SPCA published a 90-page Pet Friendly Shelter Viability Report in 2021 for human shelters looking to becoming pet friendly in Saskatchewan. Visit The Linkto learn more about the connection between people and animal abuse.

There are many potential benefits of having a companion animal in our families; this is true for both the pet caretakers and the pets. Older adults (over 65) are no exception. Increased physical activity, loyal and constant companionship, and improved community involvement are some of the health advantages older adults experience when they live with a companion animal.  A pet-friendly housing option in Saskatoon is Sherbrooke Community Centre.  

However, many older pet caretakers face the same barriers as their younger counterparts when trying to secure pet-friendly rental housing. This can be particularly difficult if they are attempting to transition from independent living to accommodations that offer a higher level of health care. If a pet-friendly rental housing option is available, it often has an additional fee attached, making the housing unaffordable. This can lead to a decision by older adults to stay where they are living or to relinquish their companion animal to a family member, friend, or shelter or, in some situations, have the animal humanely euthanized. Being separated from a beloved companion animal can leave older adults open to deteriorating physical health, mental health, and social well-being. The pet’s health can also suffer. 

The following 2022 Letter to the Editor of the Prince Albert Herald documents an unfortunate real-life scenario.  

Tips for Finding and Keeping Pet-friendly Rental Housing in Saskatoon (*)

1) Prepare in advance

Identifying and applying for pet-friendly rental housing can be time-consuming. If you are planning to look for a new home for you and your companion animal, allow plenty of time for your search. As we know, there is not an abundance of pet-friendly rentals in the city. Do not expect a “no pets” rental property to make an exception for you. Moving into non-pet-friendly housing with your animal or concealing your pet will put you at risk of eviction. 

2) Provide references and show that you are a responsible pet caretaker 

Letters from previous rental property owners and managers, veterinarians, pet sitters and neighbors can help establish you as a responsible pet caretaker and that your pet is well behaved. Some pet caretakers prepare a resume for their pet. Responsible pet caretakers are frequently responsible tenants. Consider scheduling a meet-and-greet for you, your companion animal, and potential rental property in Saskatoon. 

3)  Highlight the benefits of increased security and sense of community

Pets often remain at home when their caretakers are out of the home. This can help increase the security of a rental unit and the surrounding area. Dog caretakers frequently walk their animals in the early morning and late at night, and can notice and report suspicious activity. Companion animals can increase a sense of community by promoting friendly interactions and relationship-building among your Saskatoon neighbors.

4)  Extra costs 

On average, pet-friendly accommodations charge a higher rental fee in Saskatoon and can require an additional pet damage deposit over and above a regular rental damage deposit. While pet-specific damage deposits can be attractive for rental property owners and managers to welcome pets, it means extra expenses for tenants. Some security deposits are non-refundable, so tenants should discuss deposits or any other pet fees in advance and factor these costs into their decisions.

5)  Documentation and proof of permission 

   It is important for tenants and rental property owners and managers in Saskatoon to have written documentation and proof of permission that companion animals can live in the rental unit. A verbal agreement is not sufficient and cannot be upheld like a written contract. Pet deposits or monthly fees should be specified in the written rental lease. Prior to signing a pet-friendly lease, discuss and negotiate the pet deposit or monthly pet fee amount with the rental property. Keep a signed copy of the lease in case it is needed. 

6) Responsible pet caretakers

Responsible pet caretakers:

1. Follow all local pet bylaws.
2. Ask the rental property if they have written house rules for pets and keep a      copy.
3. Keep companion animals groomed, access routine veterinary care, and follow veterinarian recommendations for spaying and neutering.
4. Microchip, tattoo, and/or wear pet identification on their pet. 
5. Keep cats indoors or in a managed outdoor environment.
6. Pick up after your pet, be mindful of shared indoor and outdoor spaces, and keep your pet on a leash when outside. 
7. Ask your neighbors if they hear any noise from your animal when you are away and if they have any concerns about your pet. 
8. Consider adjusting your schedule to check on your pet during the day, bring your pet to work or daycare, or consider having someone check on your pet when you are out. 
9. 
   

7) Responding to a pet nuisance complaint 

Receiving a nuisance complaint about your pet in rental housing can be scary, but there are effective ways to respond to and resolve a complaint. Clear communication is critical to successfully resolving a complaint.

If you receive a nuisance complaint about your companion animal in Saskatoon housing, first speak with your neighbors and explain that a nuisance complaint was received about your pet and the nature of the complaint. Ask your neighbors for their honest feedback. If they share that your pet is not a nuisance, ask them if they are willing to be contacted by the rental property to share this. If one or more neighbors states that they believe the nuisance complaint is valid, politely explain that you will be working on addressing the nuisance and thank them for their patience. To address your pet’s underlying behaviour that led to the complaint, you may want to consult your veterinarian, trainer, or a veterinary behaviorist for assistance. 

Remember that it is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that their pets are welcome in the rental community. If you allow your pet to violate property rules, damage property, disturb or make others uncomfortable, it may negatively impact your ability to acquire and retain pet-friendly housing. Helpful resources are available from the city of Saskatoon, including The Pet Wellness Guide and Good Dogs Bite too.  

This sample Rental Unit Agreement is intended as a general guide to assist tenants and rental properties in Saskatoon to develop and implement rules regarding pets in rental housing. Although this sample will accommodate the needs and concerns of most tenants and rental properties, we encourage you to expand or modify it to fit your individual circumstances.

1. The tenant may have the following described pet(s) in their rental unit, subject to the terms and conditions within this Agreement and in accordance with the Tenancy Agreement. Should the tenant no longer own these pet(s), this Agreement automatically ends. In the event that the tenant acquires another pet, a new Agreement will be entered into. Should the tenant wish to pet sit on a short-term basis, the rental property must be notified in writing. All pets should be in a cage or confined to an area when the rental property or their representative enters the unit. Upon entering the unit for maintenance or other reason, the rental unit will ensure that the pets are not let out of the unit.

Description of Pet(s): (species, breed(s), name, colour(s), age, temperament, potential requirements, indoor/outdoor, permanent ID #):
 

Attach pet reference and pet resume. 

2. All pet(s) must be licensed or registered annually in accordance with the existing municipal Saskatoon bylaw.

3. All dogs and cats must have permanent identification in the form of a tattoo or microchip.

4. Pet(s) must be under control, such as using a leash or in a secure cage, when outside of the tenant’s rental unit and in building common areas. Rentals with yards will be considered separately.

5. The tenant will pick up any pet(s) waste immediately from any area on the

residential property, as well as any area considered part of the tenant’s rental unit.

6. As outlined in the Tenancy Agreement, the tenant is responsible for damages caused by pet(s) that fall outside of the range of regular wear and tear. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to the walls, floors, carpets, linoleum, bathtub, drapes/blinds, patio, or balcony. The rental property is responsible for disclosing prior known damage to the unit. The tenant is responsible for confirming what prior damage was there.

7. The tenant will maintain a regular parasite control and vaccination program appropriate to the type of pet(s). Should flea infestation from the pet(s) occur in the rental unit or on the residential property, the rental property may require the tenant to have the carpets shampooed and the rental unit de-fleaed at any time. Failure by the tenant to act promptly on this request will be a breach of this Agreement. Should flea infestation attributable to the tenant’s pet(s) occur subsequent to the tenancy, the rental property may seek compensation from the tenant for the subsequent flea removal treatment. The tenant is responsible for prompt appropriate parasitic treatment of any affected animal(s). Failure to treat will be considered a breach of this Agreement.

8. The tenant will act in accordance with the municipal Saskatoon noise bylaw. If the tenant’s pet(s) is disturbing the quiet enjoyment of others, the tenant will fix the problem through work with a pet trainer, behaviorist, daycare or sitter/walker, or other.

9. The tenant must ensure that all pet(s) are kept well-groomed; in particular the nails of dogs and cats are kept trimmed to potentially limit noise and damage related to pacing, walking, and scratching.

10. The pet(s) must not be left in the rental unit if the tenant will be absent from the rental unit for an extended period of time. If the pet(s) are left in the care of an alternate caregiver in the unit, the name and telephone number of the caregiver will be provided to the rental property upon request.

11. Prohibited or restricted exotic animals, as defined by the Saskatchewan Captive Wildlife Regulations are not permitted as pets.

12. Animal welfare standards must be upheld and respected in accordance with Animal Protection Services’ Animal Protection Act. 

Tenant Signature  

Date  

Property Owner or Manager Signature  

Date  

A pet resume can help share your pet’s strengths and personality and why they would be a good tenant alongside you. The resume should be 1-2 pages, straight forward and include information about your rental history and your pet’s track record, conveying to your potential rental property that you and your pet are responsible tenants. 

When drafting your pet’s resume be sure to include the following: 

The Basics

● Caretaker name and contact information

● Pet name, breed, description, and photo

Caretaker Statement

● Describe what your companion animal means to you

● Share why you feel it is important to have a safe and welcoming home, and how your pet contributes to that.

Pet Information

● Describe your typical day and include your pet’s exercise times, how long your pet is left alone, anyone that comes to provide care to your pet when you are at work, and whether your pet is kenneled, in the yard, or free roaming. 

Experience

● Describe your pet’s current (and previous) living situation. Is your pet used to living in an apartment or house? Does your pet interact well with roommates and other tenants? How does your pet interact with other pets?

Training

● List any obedience classes or private training your pet has completed.

● List any certifications your pet has completed, such as the Canine Good Neighbor Test and/or the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Test. 

Pet References

● Veterinary clinics can confirm regular health checks and up-to-date information on vaccinations.

● Previous landlords can confirm your and your pet’s experience.

● Trainers, dog daycare, or pet boarding staff can share their experience with your pet, possibly on multiple occasions and for long durations. 

● Previous roommates, friends, and family can share their experience interacting with you and your pet in your daily routine. 

Pet Reference Form (*)

In addition to the pet resume, or on its own, a pet reference form can also share your pet’s strengths and personality traits that make them a good tenant.
 

Referee Information: Include the name and contact information of the referee. Appropriate references include previous roommates and landlords, your pet’s previous foster family (if any), your family members, or previous neighbors. 

Pet Information: Include your pet’s name, age, breed, colouring (noting anything unique), and size. 

The reference should address your pet’s history, behavior, strengths, and overall personality. Be sure to include:                       

● How long the reference has known you and your pet, where they were interacting with you and your pet (e.g., in your home, at the dog park, workspace), and observations of those interactions. 

● Veterinary clinics, previous landlords, trainers, dog daycares, former roommates, etc. can all confirm you and your pet’s experiences and routines.

● A history of any damage or injury your pet has caused. Mention how the issues were resolved. If yes to either be sure to mention any special circumstances (separation anxiety). 

Note whether the referee would recommend you and your pet be rented to.  

   In addition to the pet resume, or on its own, a pet reference form can also share your pet’s strengths and personality traits that make them a good tenant.
 

Referee Information: Include the name and contact information of the referee. Appropriate references include previous roommates and landlords, your pet’s previous foster family (if any), your family members, or previous neighbors. 

Pet Information: Include your pet’s name, age, breed, colouring (noting anything unique), and size. 

The reference should address your pet’s history, behavior, strengths, and overall personality. Be sure to include:       

● How long the reference has known you and your pet, where they were interacting with you and your pet (e.g., in your home, at the dog park, workspace), and observations of those interactions. 

● Veterinary clinics, previous landlords, trainers, dog daycares, former roommates, etc. can all confirm you and your pet’s experiences and routines.

● A history of any damage or injury your pet has caused. Mention how the issues were resolved. If yes to either be sure to mention any special circumstances (separation anxiety). 

● Note whether the referee would recommend you and your pet be rented to.