Pet-Friendly Apartments in Canada 2026: Sites, Apps and Tips for Newcomers

Finding a pet-friendly apartment in Canada in 2026 is absolutely possible — but it takes strategy. Most listing sites have no dedicated pet filter, fake-listing scams are getting more sophisticated, and many landlords charge extra deposits or impose breed and size restrictions. In this guide we show you exactly which sites to use, which apps to install, how to filter out scams, and what pet documents you should have ready before you even move.

If you are planning to arrive with your dog, cat or another pet, this is the content we wish we had found when organizing the move. Finding housing in Canada is already challenging — with a pet, you need a plan.

Best Sites for Pet-Friendly Apartments in Canada in 2026

The best sites for finding a pet-friendly apartment in Canada in 2026 are Rentals.ca, Zumper, PadMapper, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace — each with different strengths and limitations for renters searching with pets.

Rentals.ca is Canada’s largest rental aggregator. It pulls listings from many smaller sites and has a direct “Pet Friendly” filter in the search bar, with tens of thousands of properties listed nationwide. Strength: built-in pet filter, national coverage, average-price data by city. Limitation: some duplicate listings, and not every landlord tags the filter correctly.

Zumper works well for big cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. It has a “Pets Allowed” filter, up-to-date photos, a clean interface and a strong mobile app.

PadMapper is excellent for viewing properties on a map — you can see exactly where an apartment sits relative to parks, pet shops and veterinary clinics. It has a pet filter and lets you save searches.

Kijiji hosts many private landlords, especially in smaller cities like Halifax, Hamilton and Sherbrooke. Use keyword search (more on that below) because the pet filter does not always appear. Note: Kijiji is also where the most scams happen — we cover this in detail.

Facebook Marketplace and Groups can be a goldmine, especially local newcomer and immigrant community housing groups in each city. Many landlords post directly there. Practical tip: Marketplace has no “pet friendly” filter, so use keywords and ask the advertiser directly.

Other useful sites: Realtor.ca (agency-managed properties, no pet filter), liv.rent (great for Vancouver and BC, with a pet filter), Places4Students (helpful if you arrive on a study permit), and Kangalou (kangalou.com), focused on Quebec.

Mobile Apps for Pet-Friendly Rentals in Canada

The most effective apps for finding a pet-friendly apartment in Canada in 2026 are Zumper, Rentals.ca, PadMapper and HouseSigma — all available for iOS and Android with real-time notifications.

The big advantage of apps is instant alerts when a new pet-friendly property is listed. In competitive markets like Toronto and Vancouver, good apartments disappear within hours, so saved filters make a real difference.

1. Download Zumper and Rentals.ca — together they cover most listings
2. Turn on push notifications for your target city
3. Save the search with the “Pet Friendly” filter on
4. Set your maximum budget so you do not waste time on out-of-range homes
5. Mark favourites to compare later with your partner

The Right Keywords for Online Searches

The keywords that work for finding a pet-friendly apartment in Canada are in English and French — and using them correctly removes about 80% of irrelevant results. Many newcomers search only “pet friendly apartment” and stop there, but Canadian landlords use varied terms.

In English (for all of Canada): “pet friendly”, “pets allowed”, “cat friendly” / “dog friendly” (when only one type is accepted), “pets negotiable” (open to discussion — a great opportunity), “no pet restrictions”, “pet deposit”, and “small pets welcome”.

In French (for Quebec — Montreal, Sherbrooke, Quebec City): “animaux acceptés”, “animaux bienvenus”, “animaux permis”, “chien accepté” / “chat accepté”, and “sans restriction d’animaux”.

Advanced tip: in Google, use the site: operator to search within one site, for example site:kijiji.ca “pet friendly” apartment Montreal. This shows only Kijiji results for Montreal with the exact phrase. It also works with Rentals.ca and Craigslist. If you are heading to Quebec and French is still a challenge, save the French terms above on your phone.

How to Filter Out Fake Listings and Pet-Related Scams

Rental scams in Canada are a real problem — and “pet friendly” ads are used as bait because scammers know pet owners are often in a hurry to close. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded more than $42 million CAD in rental fraud in 2025, and the number keeps growing in 2026. We have seen newcomers lose $2,000–$4,000 CAD to rental scams — money that hurts most in the first months.

The five most common pet-friendly scams: (1) the perfect apartment that does not exist (great photos, below-market price, “pets, no deposit,” then an e-Transfer requested before you see it); (2) the landlord who is “travelling” and will mail you the keys once you deposit the first month plus security; (3) the duplicated listing copied from a real ad with swapped contact details and an upfront “pet deposit”; (4) the fake application form asking for your SIN, passport and bank details before any viewing (this is identity theft); and (5) the absurd “pet fee” of $500–$1,000 CAD demanded before signing — illegal in many provinces.

How to protect yourself:

• NEVER transfer money before seeing the property in person or on a live video call with the landlord showing the unit
• Check the address on Google Maps — does the building exist?
• Search the landlord’s name + “scam” on Google
• Ask to see the owner’s ID and proof of ownership
• Use only traceable payment methods — never gift cards, crypto or wire services

Red Flags: When to Distrust a Pet-Friendly Ad

If a pet-friendly listing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch for these signs:

• Price 20–30% below the area average — compare neighbourhood averages on Rentals.ca
• “Any pet accepted, no restrictions, no deposit” — real landlords almost always have some condition
• Artificial urgency — “I need to rent by tomorrow” or “five other people are interested”
• Communication only by email or messaging app — legitimate landlords usually use a local phone
• A deposit requested before the lease is signed
• Photos too professional for the price — run a reverse image search
• Vague address — “near downtown” with no exact number
• Refusal to do a video call showing the unit

To run a reverse image search, go to images.google.com, click the camera icon, paste the listing photo URL or upload it. If the same photo appears elsewhere with a different address or price, it is a scam.

Pet Documents You Need for Rental Approval

To get approved for a pet-friendly apartment in Canada in 2026, have these ready: up-to-date vaccination records, a veterinary health certificate, and ideally a reference letter from a previous landlord or your vet. These are not legally required to rent, but pet-accepting landlords almost always ask — and having them organized puts you ahead of other applicants.

Before renting, you must also meet the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) requirements to bring your animal into the country. Typical documents include a rabies vaccination certificate, an international veterinary health certificate, an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, and a recent health certificate (usually within 10 days of travel). Since 2024, Canada has tightened its dog-import rules, with additional requirements depending on the country of origin — and rules vary by nationality, so check your eligibility directly on the official CFIA site (inspection.canada.ca) before you move.

Beyond entry documents, prepare a “pet dossier” to impress the landlord:

1. Complete vaccination record — translated into English or French
2. A recent photo of your pet — it sounds silly, but it humanizes the application
3. A letter from your vet confirming good health and behaviour
4. Proof of renter’s insurance with pet-damage coverage — typically $20–$40 CAD/month
5. A reference from a previous landlord or neighbour confirming the pet is well cared for

Tip that makes a difference: many Canadian landlords hesitate to accept pets for fear of damage. Offering renter’s insurance with pet coverage right in your application removes that objection — a real competitive edge.

Pet-Friendly Rental Costs by City in 2026

The cost of a pet-friendly apartment in Canada in 2026 varies widely by city — from about $1,100 CAD/month in smaller cities to roughly $2,800 CAD/month in Vancouver for a one-bedroom. Pet-friendly units often cost $50–$200 CAD more per month than equivalent non-pet units, and some landlords charge a monthly “pet rent” instead of a one-time deposit.

• Montreal, QC — about $1,550 CAD; pet deposits prohibited by law in QC
• Toronto, ON — about $2,450 CAD; pet deposits prohibited by law in ON
• Vancouver, BC — about $2,800 CAD; pet damage deposit up to 50% of one month’s rent
• Halifax, NS — about $1,750 CAD; pet deposit $200–$500 CAD
• Hamilton, ON — about $1,800 CAD; pet deposits prohibited by law in ON
• Sherbrooke, QC — about $1,100 CAD; pet deposits prohibited by law in QC
• Quebec City, QC — about $1,200 CAD; pet deposits prohibited by law in QC

Important legal note: in Ontario and Quebec, landlords cannot charge a pet security deposit — it is prohibited by law. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act bars any deposit beyond last month’s rent; in Quebec, the Code civil du Québec bars security deposits. If a landlord asks for a pet deposit in these provinces, it is illegal — and a red flag. In British Columbia, a landlord may charge up to 50% of one month’s rent as a pet damage deposit, on top of the regular security deposit. Knowing your rights matters — many newcomers pay illegal deposits simply because they do not know the rules.

Why Working with a Specialized Concierge Makes It Easier

Searching for a pet-friendly apartment in Canada from abroad — before you move, without knowing the neighbourhoods, the provincial laws, or French (in Quebec) — is stressful. A specialized immigration and settlement service can save you weeks of searching and help you avoid scams.

What a concierge does that is hard to do on your own from another country:

• Visits properties in person — checks the real condition, whether pets are genuinely accepted, and whether the neighbourhood is safe
• Negotiates with the landlord — in English or French, knowing local laws
• Verifies legality — confirms the landlord truly owns the property
• Knows the pet-friendly neighbourhoods — which have parks, dog parks and nearby vet clinics
• Speeds up paperwork — helps build your pet dossier and rental application

Settlement services in Canada typically charge $500–$2,500 CAD depending on the package. It may sound expensive, but a single scam can cost $2,000–$4,000 CAD, and weeks in an Airbnb while you search run $100–$200 CAD/night. The math adds up fast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a pet-friendly apartment in Canada cost on average in 2026? It depends on the city. A one-bedroom averages about $1,550 CAD/month in Montreal and around $2,450 CAD in Toronto, while smaller cities like Sherbrooke can be near $1,100 CAD. Pet-friendly units tend to run $50–$200 CAD more than equivalent non-pet ones.

Can a landlord refuse my pet in Canada? Yes. In most provinces a landlord may refuse tenants with pets — except Ontario, where the Residential Tenancies Act bars “no pet” clauses. Even there, a landlord can require removal if the animal causes serious problems. In Quebec, a no-pet clause can be included in the lease.

Can I bring my dog to Canada? Yes, but since 2024 the CFIA applies stricter rules for dogs from countries considered at risk for canine rabies. You will generally need a rabies vaccination certificate, an international veterinary certificate, a microchip and a recent health certificate. Requirements vary by nationality — check your eligibility on the CFIA site.

Is it legal to charge a pet deposit in Canada? It depends on the province. In Ontario and Quebec, pet deposits are illegal. In British Columbia, a landlord may charge up to 50% of one month’s rent as a pet damage deposit. In provinces like Nova Scotia and Alberta the rules vary — always check your province’s legislation.

What is the best site to find a pet-friendly apartment in Canada? Rentals.ca is the most complete, with a built-in pet filter and national coverage. For Quebec specifically, Kangalou is excellent, and PadMapper is best for map-based searching. Use at least two or three sites at once and set up alerts.

How can I tell if a pet-friendly rental ad is a scam? Be suspicious if the price is 20–30% below the neighbourhood average, if the landlord is “travelling” and cannot show the unit, if a deposit is requested before signing, or if a video call is refused. Run a reverse image search on the photos and never transfer money without seeing the property.

Do I need insurance to rent with a pet in Canada? It is not legally required, but many landlords expect renter’s insurance with pet-damage coverage. It costs around $20–$40 CAD/month and is a competitive edge when applying.

Which dog breeds are restricted in Canada? Some provinces and municipalities have breed restrictions. Ontario had a pit bull ban dating to 2005, with legislation under review in 2026, and some Quebec cities restrict pit bulls and similar breeds. Always check the municipal laws of your destination city, plus your building’s rules.

Sources

1. CFIA — Importing or travelling with domestic dogs: inspection.canada.ca
2. Rentals.ca — National Rent Report: rentals.ca/national-rent-report
3. CMHC — Rental Market Report 2026: cmhc-schl.gc.ca
4. Ontario Residential Tenancies Act — Pet provisions: ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17
5. Quebec Code civil — Lease provisions: legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca
6. British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act — Pet damage deposits: bclaws.gov.bc.ca
7. Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Rental scams: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Data verified as of April 2026. Check the official sites for the most up-to-date information.

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