Weekends With Out Pets

The role of ‘pet’ is typically reserved for a dog or cat but is rarely used to describe a barnyard of animals. For Monika Sztrama of Kitchener, Ont., a sheep, pig, or emu are just as deserving of the name of ‘pet.’ 

Sztrama owns three pigs, five sheep, three goats, two emus, over a dozen chickens, a gaggle of ducks, and a horse. She gives each animal a name and treats them as pets, not as sources of food or money. 

Sztrama purchased a second property in Kitchener two years ago with her partner of six years, Joel Vautour. Both Sztrama and Vautour wanted to start a farm, but neither was ready to move to the country.

“We were looking for a property to rent because, at that time, we already had a llama and a goat…We wanted more animals and to be able to have our own garden. Grow our own vegetables and fruit. And be able to keep a horse in the city,” said Sztrama