Collected thoughts about dogs in the big city
Lea Krusemeyer (She/Her) // Crew Writer
Natasha Lee (She/Her) // Illustrator
Generation Z is redefining what family means. It is not just parents having kids anymore; family now includes dogs, cats and other pets as well. In an economy with ever-rising prices for childcare, food and clothes, the adoption of a pet might seem like a great alternative to human children. This is until one takes a closer look at what it means to actually own a pet in a city like Vancouver.
The current housing market makes it seem easier to find a Birkin than to find an affordable apartment, let alone one that allows dogs. Ramses Ibanez, who is the proud owner of Phoebe, his little chihuahua, says, “it was almost impossible to find a pet-friendly place. Not just because of the rent prices but also because of the availability.” Apartments that allow dogs are in high demand and get snatched from the market fast.
Finding a place to call home with a dog begs for creative ways of making it happen. Sandra Mondragon explained that her family just never asked the landlord for permission to have pets in the house, and thankfully they haven’t had an issue yet. Another way of finding housing is following the example of Marla Pierce, who said, “I just went to a dog park and then followed people home. I know this sounds kind of creepy but I was desperate and really needed to find apartment buildings that allow dogs.” Eventually, her approach paid off and Marla and Moo the Goldendoodles were able to move into their own place.
Three different stories from three different dog owners with one shared struggle — housing with pets seems inaccessible in the city of Vancouver and the North Shore. This is not where the struggle ends though, once these people were able to secure a home for themselves and their pets the next challenge arose. In a city full of concrete and highrises, where does one take their dog for an adequate walk, training, or just a little bit of playtime?
Mondragon, whose family owns two dogs, including a German Shepard, mentioned that, “I used to take the German Shepard to training but it was all the way in Surrey. I really enjoyed it because it was mainly with other German Shepards, but as it was so far away, I did not go often.” Having to sacrifice quality time with your own pet because the big city does not offer enough amenities and activities close to home appears to be a struggle that could be avoided. With more dogs being part of young people’s families, the cities around the lower mainland will need to be able to adapt and create spaces for dogs to play, walk, and rest.
Antonia Duebel, who moved to Yaletown with her dog Mila last year, also mentioned the struggle of playgrounds. This is something that can be observed by many when taking a walk downtown. Duebel was especially frustrated by the fact that the very few existing dog parks or playgrounds were always overcrowded, “Mila could barely run around and actually play because the area was always so full of other people.”
Who is better to ask about possible improvements to this situation than the people who are directly involved? When asked about suggestions that would make a life for pets and pet owners easier, Ramses Ibanez said, “I would reduce the amount of money they can charge for pet deposits and I would also implement a specific percentage of mandatory pet-friendly apartments per building.” It was also mentioned that more dog parks all over the city would be a useful addition to the already existing dog parks. With a few changes, Vancouver could actually become a city in which pets and their owners can thrive.
“I specifically chose North Vancouver for its dog-friendly atmosphere, numerous parks for my dog’s stimulation, and convenient trails for daily exercise,” said Silvana Figueroa. It appears North Vancouver is the best place for dogs and their owners currently, even though the housing market is just as expensive as everywhere else around the lower mainland, Figueroa added that, “I appreciate the cleanliness, welcoming pet-friendly vibe, and the ability to bring my dog to patios in the summer. Overall, a great choice for us to live.”
In an ever-changing society like ours, cities have a responsibility to serve their citizens to the best of their abilities, and starting with the issue of pet ownership might be a step in the right direction.