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When Louise Slade’s beloved dog died last year, she wanted another pet. The 75-year-old says having animals around keeps her active and happy, preventing loneliness and making life in her independent living facility a great deal better.

Though the building had changed its pet rules since she moved in, Slade broke them and got a new kitten. She’s one of many seniors who say pets improve their lives so much, the risk of eviction is worth it.

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“I’ve had a pet almost my whole life, and they’ve gotten me through so much,” Slade said.

“It gives me something to come home to, it gives me something to get up in the morning for.”

In 2012, when Slade first moved in, the Bow Centre Housing Society in Bowness was pet-friendly. But in June 2013, the society’s board decided to make the facility animal-free. Pets that lived there already were allowed to stay, but new tenants couldn’t bring them and current tenants wouldn’t be allowed to replace any that died.