Press release – For immediate release
Thanks to the Montreal SPCA’s Fido Takes the Metro campaign, starting October 15, the STM will allow leashed dogs in the metro.
Montréal, September 21, 2022 — Today, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is announcing a pilot project that will allow people to take their dogs on leash in the metro. The project, which will begin October 15 and run for nine months, was developed in response to the Montreal SPCA’s Fido Takes the Metro campaign, which was launched last year. As part of the campaign, close to 18,000 people joined the SPCA in urging Mayor Valérie Plante and STM Board Chair Eric Alan Caldwell to allow leashed dogs on Montreal’s public transportation system.
“All the SPCA’s hard work—in addition to that of all the Montrealers who supported our efforts—has paid off,” says Sophie Gaillard, Director of Animal Advocacy and Legal Affairs at the Montreal SPCA, as well as the organization’s interim Executive Director. “In a few weeks, Montreal will join the long list of large cities, such as Paris, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Calgary and Toronto, where dogs on leash are welcome on public transportation,” she says.
People accompanied by their dogs will have to abide by the following guidelines:
- Travel is limited to off-peak hours from Monday to Friday (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.) as well as on weekends and holidays. Dogs will not be allowed when major events occur (details on the STM website)
- Dogs are required to wear a muzzle throughout the trip, from the moment they enter the metro station
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times (maximum length of 1.25 m)
- Any “mess” that the animal might make must be picked up
- Dogs are not allowed on seats or benches
- No more than one dog may accompany each person
The STM also strongly recommends avoiding the front car of the train, which is the preferred car for schools, daycare centres, people with functional limitations and bicycles. The use of escalators is also discouraged, as they can cause injury to dogs. You will still be able to travel on the STM network with your animal companion in a carrier or a bag intended for this use, according to the existing terms and conditions.
No special ticket will be required; dogs will travel free of charge. The pilot project will be limited to the metro for the time being. Leashed dogs will therefore not be allowed on buses.
For those who wish to travel with their dogs, the STM will post tips on its website that were developed in collaboration with the Montreal SPCA. You can find this information, as well as additional tools, on the SPCA website. Included is a video on how to train a dog to get comfortable wearing a muzzle.
“We’re thrilled that, starting October 15, access to large parks and green spaces, as well as veterinary care, will be made easier for Montreal dogs,” adds Gaillard. “The pilot project announced today also falls under the collective efforts required to fight climate change. At a time when we are encouraging the use of public transportation more than ever, it needs to be modernized and accommodate everyone, including those with dogs,” she concludes.
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Source: Montreal SPCA
Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Senior Consultant, Corporate Development and Media Relations, Montreal SPCA, 514-656-2760, anitak@spca.com.
About the Montréal SPCA – Founded in 1869, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (now known simply as the Montreal SPCA) was the first animal-welfare organization in Canada. Today, the Montreal SPCA is the largest animal protection organization in Quebec, speaking on behalf of animals wherever there is ignorance, cruelty, exploitation, or neglect.
