CHICKENS AS SUPPORT PETS
Proposal tentatively approved
A Calgary woman who keeps chickens to help her cope with debilitating depression and anxiety said she’s feeling relieved after a city council committee tentatively approved a proposal to allow livestock to be kept as emotional-support animals.
Nikki Pike looked on from her seat in council chambers Wednesday as a city committee voted 5 to 1 in favour of easing restrictions in the city’s pet ownership bylaw.
“I’m relieved,” Pike said. “I wasn’t looking for a fight, but I do believe that this topic has gone beyond just my story. This extends into a wide range of people suffering from mental-health issues that I think could really benefit from this.”
If the proposed changes pass a full vote of council later this month, Calgary could be the first city in Canada to implement such a policy.
Only one other Canadian municipality has enacted something similar: Strathmore allows Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to be kept as emotional-support animals.
The proposed amendments would allow Calgarians to keep livestock as emotional-support animals with the approval of the chief bylaw enforcement officer.
Applicants must supply a letter from a mental-health professional and pay a licence fee of $64. Those whose petitions for a support animal are rejected would have 30 days to appeal the decision.
The draft bylaw, which was supported by the Calgary Humane Society, requires that an applicant have adequate outdoor space and access to a veterinarian.
Space requirement guidelines have already been created for miniature horses, Vietnamese pigs and chickens, since those are the most common livestock animals used as emotional-support animals, the city said Wednesday.
Owners would have to obtain a licence for each pet and would not be permitted to bring their animal to public places.
The proposal, brought forward by Coun. Jyoti Gondek, emerged as a result of Pike running afoul of municipal bylaws with her backyard hens.
Pike told council members Wednesday that keeping chickens helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression stemming from sexual abuse she suffered as a child.
She acknowledged her choice of support animal is unconventional and the result of her upbringing.
“My family had backyard hens. We did not have a dog or a cat at this time,” Pike said. “I found myself seeking solace in their company. They were a safe place during a terrible time in my life.
“I don’t think that everybody with anxiety would benefit from chickens — but I do know that those of us who’ve suffered trauma and do have a history with these animals, could, can and should have the opportunity to.”
Coun. Jeromy Farkas, who voted against the proposal, said he would rather the city initially limit the policy to the three most common emotional-support livestock animals until further study.
“I would have preferred that we adhere to just the three types of animals to begin with, and then open the barn door wider,” Farkas said.
Gondek says she’s confident the policy balances the mental-health needs of individuals with the effect on animals and surrounding neighbours.
“I think we’ve looked at this quite carefully. Don’t forget, it is absolutely the discretion of the bylaw officer who is reviewing the case,” Gondek said.
She said she doesn’t expect there will be huge numbers of individuals taking advantage of the policy, but added it is worthwhile if it helps even one family.
“It’s to make sure we’re providing alternative treatment options so that we are actually putting a dent in overprescribing for cases of mental illness.”