Council members heard concerns that the lack of any limit makes it too easy for people to claim to operate a home-based animal rescue.
A Saskatoon woman is calling for city council to make a bylaw change to spell out a limit on the number of dogs and cats a homeowner can keep.
“I’m begging you to reconsider the bylaw. Normal citizens will not suffer from even making the number 10,” Kelsey Stroeder said during her presentation to council’s planning, development and community services committee.
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She noted most municipalities in the province have bylaws that set a specific number of animals, pointing to North Battleford and Prince Albert, where households are allowed a combination of cats and dogs not exceeding a total of five.
Saskatoon’s animal bylaw only requires that any pets kept in a home receive “proper care.”
Stroeder said this makes it more difficult to prove neglect when filing reports with Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS), meaning “complaints go nowhere.”
She suggested the lack of a clear number also makes it too easy for people to claim they are operating a home-based rescue.
“People trust rescues and we need to hold them accountable,” she said, recounting her own experience caring for a dog she said came to her showing clear signs of neglect and abuse.
Stroeder cited a recent example in southern Alberta, where that province’s animal protection authorities in December moved in to seize dozens of dogs from a rescue in Airdrie, amid allegations of inhumane conditions and complaints from neighbours about the odour emanating from the site.
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Stroeder’s presentation appeared to resonate with council members on the committee.
Coun. Hilary Gough put forward a motion to direct city staff to review the animal control bylaw and report back on setting a per-household limit on animals, remarking she feeels it “makes a lot of sense” to make a change and expressing a desire to ensure APSS has the tools to respond to issues “appropriately.”
“I’m certain we will have lots of trouble deciding what the number will be,” Gough quipped as she contemplated the debate to come should a bylaw change come before council.
Lynn Lacroix, general manager of community services, told the committee that city staff review the animal control bylaw every year, and could easily add consideration of setting a limit to the process.
Mayor Charlie Clark and Coun. Troy Davies said they were surprised to learn the city didn’t already mandate a limit on pets in its bylaw.
Clark said he looks forward to seeing more information on the matter, and suggested a limit seems like a sensible addition to the city’s existing regulations on animal welfare.
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Davies said he expects he will “fully support” a move to set a limit on pets when the matter comes back to council.
Gough’s motion passed unanimously.
APSS took over enforcement of the provincial Animal Protection Act in Saskatoon in 2022, after the Saskatoon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stopped providing the service.
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