This petition is to have Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia re-open or pass a similar bill to BILL M 203 -- 2000 PETS IN RENTAL HOUSING ACT, 2000 (https://www.leg.bc.ca/36th4th/1st_read/mem203-1.htm), amending the Residential Tenancy Act.

In 2002, a poll conducted for the BC SPCA by McIntyre and Mustel Research, indicates that a majority (79%) of BC residents are in favour of legislation that allows pet guardians the right to keep companion animals in their rental units, provided they do not cause unreasonable noise or damage.

Abandoned and unwanted domestic animals pose a major ethical and public health challenge in our society. Ordinary British Columbians who are tenants are well positioned to help alleviate this problem by welcoming these animals into their homes and caring for them. However, renters are often prevented from doing so because the current language of the Residential Tenancy Act permits property owners to discriminate against tenants who live with (or who wish to live with) companion animals by implementing "no pets" policies. One of the most common reasons for people to surrender their pets to animal rescue organizations is a "no pets" policy at their place of residence.

It's time for the province to enforce the public will in this regard.

We, the undersigned, request that the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia enact legislation similar to BILL M 203 -- 2000, PETS IN RENTAL HOUSING ACT, 2000 (https://www.leg.bc.ca/36th4th/1st_read/mem203-1.htm) ensuring renters have the opportunity to keep pets in their homes with reasonable limits.

We urge the Province of BC to respond to the public's support of this action (http://www.spca.bc.ca/assets/documents/welfare/rental-housing/fastfactspdf.pdf) and to amend the Residential Tenancy Act giving renters the right to keep a pet in their residence.