THE DISTRICT OF THUNDER BAY SOCIAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION BOARD
BOARD REPORT
REPORT NO.:
MEETING DATE: JUNE 25, 2015
2015-47
DATE PREPARED: MAY 19, 2015
SUBJECT: THE DISTRICT OF THUNDER BAY SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION BOARD
SOCIAL HOUSING PET POLICY
RECOMMENDATION
THAT with respect to Report No. 2015-47 (Housing Services Division), we, The
District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB or the
Board), approve the Pet Policy to guide requirements for all tenants with pets and
to be included in the tenant‟s lease with TBDSSAB;
AND THAT we authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the Policy
and Tenant Lease with respect to housekeeping items, as may be required from
time to time;
AND THAT any necessary By-law be presented to the Board.
REPORT SUMMARY
To provide The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
(TBDSSAB or the Board) with information related to the implementation of a Pet
Policy.
BACKGROUND
At the September 19, 2013 TBDSSAB Board meeting, Administration was
requested to investigate pet issues experienced by the Thunder Bay District
Housing Corporation.
On November 28, 2013 a report was provided to the Board on current pet related
issues experienced by tenants.
A landlord cannot disallow a tenant from having pets in a unit. However, a
landlord can initiate a Policy to restrict the number of pets allowed and the size of
pets allowed. If the animal interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of other
REPORT NO.
2015-47 (Housing Services Division)
PAGE 2 OF 3
tenants or becomes dangerous, the landlord can apply to the Landlord and
Tenant Board (LTB) for relief. The pet must be making excessive noise,
damaging the unit, causing an allergic reaction, or the animal / species is
considered to be inherently dangerous.
Even if the tenancy agreement has a „no pets‟ rule in it, the tenant cannot be
evicted just for having a pet unless the LTB decides in an order that the pet is
causing a problem, or that the pet is inherently dangerous.
In addition to issues relating to cleaning and repairing damage in housing units
caused by pets, Administration has had several issues with tenant pets in the
past; a Property Management Officer was bitten by a dog, summer students were
attacked by a dog, cat litter was placed into a sump pit causing damage and pets
have been buried in tenant‟s yards.
Through the late summer and early fall of 2013, tenants were interviewed in the
media, via television and radio, about a proposed animal restriction By-law within
the City of Thunder Bay. However, with no municipal By-law restricting the
number of pets permitted in a home, the only basis Administration has for
eviction is when the animal becomes dangerous or damages have already been
caused.
Administration has determined that moving forward with a Pet Policy would
establish guidelines for new tenants and parameters for current tenants to assist
with issues identified.
COMMENTS
The Pet Policy and Procedure will be utilized as tools when identified issues
arise. Administration understands that the City of Thunder Bay does not have a
limit on the number of pets a resident can obtain. The City of Thunder Bay does
have the “Dog Owner’s Liability Act” and “Animal Keeping of the City of Thunder
Bay” to reference and use when enforcing TBDSSAB Policy and Procedure.
Administration currently has 15 tenancies with pet related issues that they are
monitoring and closely working with. Current issues are pets running in common
areas of buildings, noise complaints, number of animals in a unit and animal
hoarding concerns.
The Policy does not apply to service animals. Administration cannot reference a
time when issues were present with service animals.
Current tenancies will be grandfathered with the previous unrestricted guidelines
around pet ownership within the properties. It is recommended that all new
tenants will be required to comply with the new Policy, Procedure and Pet
Identification Form. However as current tenant pet numbers reduce, existing
REPORT NO.
2015-47 (Housing Services Division)
PAGE 3 OF 3
tenants will not be authorized to obtain more pets beyond the new Policy as
stipulated.
In 2014 the Tenant Satisfaction Survey was completed, and information was
gained on how many tenants currently had issues with pets and if tenants
supported a limit on the number of pets a resident could house. Of the 689
tenants who responded, 485 support a related limit on pet ownership.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Financial implications continue to be based on the severity of pet caused
damages found within a unit. It is expected that some cost avoidance related to
reduced pet issues will be realized. Further, associated costs related to LTB and
Sherriff fees and Administration‟s time to resolve and monitor pet issues could be
reduced.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that TBDSSAB approve and implement the Pet Policy and Pet
Identification Form as recommended by Administration to support on-going
efforts to make TBDSSAB properties safe and healthy for all tenants.
REFERENCE MATERIALS ATTACHED
Attachment #1:
Attachment #2
PREPARED BY:
Draft Pet Policy
Draft Pet Identification Form
Crystal Simeoni, Manager, Property Management
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
APPROVED /
SIGNATURE:
Ken Ranta, Director - Housing Services Division
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
SUBMITTED /
SIGNATURE:
William (Bill) Bradica, CPA, CGA, Chief Administrative Officer
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
Attachment 1
Report No. 2015-47
TBDSSAB #BD02.002
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
CATEGORY/SECTION
PET POLICY
Housing Services
SUBJECT
PETS
AUTHORITY
Resolution #
Dog Owners Liability Act
Responsible Pet Owner By-law, City of Thunder Bay, 2005
Animal Keeping, City of Thunder Bay, 2001
Animal Regulation, City of Thunder Bay, 2003
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
INTENT OF POLICY
This policy establishes guidelines and procedures for pet owners which will be applied
fairly and consistently to all tenants of The District of Thunder Bay Social Services
Administration Board (TBDSSAB). This policy applies to all tenants with pets in
TBDSSAB and is to be carried out by the TBDSSAB staff.
DEFINITIONS
contained pet
Animals that are contained in a cage, tank or other container such as ferret, rabbit,
bird, fish, rodents (such as mice, gerbils, hamsters) and reptiles (including snakes) as
permitted by Responsible Pet Owners By-Law and Animal Keeping.
household pet
A cat (felis cattus) or a dog (canis lupus familiaris)
prohibited animals
Reference / Animal Keeping, City of Thunder Bay, 2001
service animals
Animals that have been trained to perform tasks to assist people with disabilities, such
as guide dogs for people with visual impairments, hearing animal to signal people with
hearing impairments.
X Committee Review Date: YYYYMonDA
IMPLEMENTATION / BOARD APPROVAL DATE:
Month date, YYYY
REVISION DATE(S):
PAGE
1 of 3
Attachment 1
Report No. 2015-47
TBDSSAB #BD02.002
CATEGORY/SECTION
SUBJECT
HOUSING SERVICES
PETS
POLICY
No more than two (2) household pets (e.g. cats and dogs) are allowed.
No pet may exceed 35 kilograms (75 pounds).
Pets must be registered with TBDSSAB using the Pet Identification Form. The
tenant will receive a copy of the completed form for their records. The tenant must
provide the following information for each pet:
 species of pet
 description, including size and colour of the pet
TBDSSAB will record this information so that it is available to staff and/or
contractors entering the unit for authorized activities (inspections, unit showings,
etc.).
Contained pets may be kept in reasonable quantities according to municipal bylaws
and do not have to be registered with TBDSSAB.
Exotic pet, wildlife or livestock are defined and regulated by municipal bylaws and
Animal Keeping or the City of Thunder Bay.
No pets, with the exception of service animals, will be allowed within the laundry
room or common rooms of the building.
STANDARDS OF APPLICATION
Tenants are required to adhere to all municipal pet regulations including licensing,
vaccination and cleaning up after their pets.
Tenants residing in the building prior to the enactment of this policy will have their
animals “grandfathered” into this policy and these pets may live out their lives at
TBDSSAB. However, the tenant is prohibited from adding additional pets to the
household until the number of pets in the unit meets or is lower than the number of pets
defined in this policy. Once that occurs, the “grandfather” clause will lapse.
Tenants, who acquire a prohibited pet(s) or exceed the restrictions on the number of
pets outlined in this policy after initial occupancy, will have 30 days from the discovery
of the animal(s) to relocate them or the tenant could face legal action under
Residential Tenancies Act.
X Committee Review Date: YYYYMonDA
IMPLEMENTATION / BOARD APPROVAL DATE:
Month date, YYYY
REVISION DATE(S):
PAGE
2 of 3
Attachment 1
Report No. 2015-47
TBDSSAB #BD02.002
CATEGORY/SECTION
SUBJECT
HOUSING SERVICES
PETS
RELATED POLICIES
N/A
RELATED PROCEDURES
Pet Procedure 2015
FORMS
Pet Identification Form 2015
X Committee Review Date: YYYYMonDA
IMPLEMENTATION / BOARD APPROVAL DATE:
Month date, YYYY
REVISION DATE(S):
PAGE
3 of 3
Attachment 2
Report No. 2015-47
PET IDENTIFICATION FORM
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB)
recognizes that some tenants choose to have pets live with them and that pets enrich
the lives of tenants. However, the rights of pet-owning tenants must be balanced with
the rights of non-pet owning tenants and with TBDSSAB’s management
responsibilities.
The following is a set of guidelines to which all tenants with pets must adhere to as
per the Lease Agreement [reference the subsection of the lease which makes
reference to the Pet Policy].
Tenant Name:
Tenant Phone:
Tenant Address:
Type and Breed of Pet
(include colour):
Pet’s Name:
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1. Only pets as outlined in TBDSSAB’s Pet Policy will be permitted to inhabit
TBDSSAB’s properties.
2. No more than two (2) household pets per household are allowed.
3. Every tenant who has a pet will provide the animal or cause the animal to
be provided with adequate and appropriate care, food, water, shelter, exercise,
attention, licensing and veterinary care as may be required to meet the needs of
the pet and as defined in the Municipal Code of Thunder Bay (see copy of the
Municipal Pet Regulations attached).
4. When a tenant moves into a unit with a pet or acquires a new animal, they must
complete a Pet Identification Form.
5. If a tenant acquires a prohibited pet(s) or exceeds the number of pets as per the
Pet Policy after initial occupancy, they will have 30 days from the discovery of
the animal(s) to relocate them.
Attachment 2
Report No. 2015-47
6. Tenants are expected to have all household pets six months of age or
older, spayed or neutered.
7. As per the Lease Agreement, tenants are financially responsible for the repair of
any damage to property, whether within the tenant’s unit, another tenant’s unit,
common area and/or grounds of the non-profit caused by their pet. Tenants
must ensure that their pets’ noise, odours or behaviour does not disturb other
tenants. The owner of a pet is financially and legally responsible for any harm or
intimidation caused by their pet (such as attacking or biting).
8. Exterior pet houses are not permitted. All pets will be housed within the
tenant’s unit (unless written permission from the Property Management Officer
has been granted).
9. No pets, with the exception of service animals, will be allowed within the laundry
room or common rooms of the building.
10. All pet droppings will be removed immediately by the pet owner from
common areas or lawns. The yard area of the housing unit will be kept clean
of all animal excrement. TBDSSAB may charge tenants with the cost of
repairing damage caused by pets, including removal of pet excrement that is not
picked up by the pet owner.
11. All unidentified animals running at large within the complex will be reported to
the Property Management Officer and Animal Control immediately.
Any tenant who owns a pet, and who contravenes any of the above provisions may be
subject to legal action by the landlord, which may include eviction proceedings.
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES
AS A CONDITION OF MY TENANCY WITH TBDSSAB.
Tenant signature:
Date:
Tenant signature:
Date:
Staff signature:
Date:
2|Page