YELLOWKNIFE - A recent ban on pets by Canada's largest air carrier has a Northern humane society worried, and competitors portraying themselves as more "pet-friendly."

Janet Pacey, president of the NWT SPCA, sits in her yard with her pit bull, Winnie, and her Australian terrier, Roo. She is worried Air Canada's ban on pets in passenger flights will lead to more animals being left behind in shelters. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

Starting July 15, Air Canada will no longer allow pets on passenger flights, extending their September ban of animals from the cabin of passenger flights.

While pets can still be shipped on cargo-only flights, this is little comfort to Janet Pacey, president of the NWT SPCA.

"We're going to see a lot more pets in shelters because of this," she said. "The ban concerns me hugely."

Pacey said abandoned animals is a problem in the North, and Yellowknife in particular, given its often-transient population.

"It happens a lot in the North that when people leave the North, they leave their pet as well," she said.

With pets banned from buses, and Northern carriers only servicing parts of the south, Pacey worries this will only get worse.

"In this case, some people will have no other choice," she said.

Pacey said she was thankful Northern airlines have not followed suit, as the NWT SPCA often sends its animals south for adoption, where they are in higher demand.

Both First Air and Canadian North indicated they have no plans to ban animals from their flights, though media representatives could not be reached at press time.

Westjet - Air Canada's major southern competitor - still allows cats, dogs, rabbits and small birds in the cabin and cargo hold of both domestic and U.S. flights. A recent media release said the airline has no plans to reverse its "pet-oriented policies."

Air Canada's ban will not apply to guide dogs or to people who purchase tickets before the July 15 deadline.