THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 18
Secret life of college pets Students speak about challenges, benefits of owning pets in college By Lauren Discher @laurendischer
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Photos by Lauren Discher (top) and McKenna Fridye (bottom)
Students choose to adopt pets from dogs to lizards while weighing out the costs of pet ownership as full-time college students.
et ownership is a commitment not every college student has the time or money to take on. Before committing to a pet, students may want to ask themselves the following questions: • Am I allowed to have a pet? Dorms typically have a strict no-pet policy, unless it is a small fish tank or a service animal, and many off-campus apartments have strict pet policies. • Can I afford a pet? The bare minimum expenses include food, a cage or kennel, a bed, toys and vet visits, which reach up to thousands of dollars in certain cases. • What animal makes the most sense for me? Factors to consider are allergies, space requirements and the amount of time for care and play the animal will require. • Am I prepared for the years of commitment? Each pet has a different lifespan, which can range from a few months to many years. Consider that upon adopting a pet, you are making a promise to care for them for the entire span of their life. Having a pet is a huge responsibility that must be approached with care and planning, but it also has the potential to be a mutually beneficial relationship for both human and animal. Sociology senior Nita Stewart, owner of multiple dogs, cats and a ferret, said owning a pet isn’t easy; it requires time, attention and patience. “There will be bad days with your pet, and you’ll get frustrated, but if you constantly work with them and train for behaviors you want, it’ll get better,” Stewart said. “If you put time into them, they’ll surprise you.” Stewart said the most common challenge of owning a pet in college is making time for them, because most students already try to balance adult responsibilities such as work, classes and homework. “It’s difficult to attend school and work full time while also having a pet,” Stewart said. “Making time for them is imperative and really is beneficial for both you and the pet.” Especially if the animal is young, Stewart said there are certain crucial responsibilities that can often be overlooked due to a student’s busy schedule. “I’ve experienced challenges with time when it comes to socialization and training,” Stewart said. “Socialization and training are imperative for any pet, but dogs in particular.”
Stewart said it is important to prioritize your pet by making time for them, as it will make balancing other aspects of your life easier in the long run. “It’s good to set aside 30-minute time increments where you expose them to different people, places, animals, food and constantly change where they eat their food,” Stewart said. “If you do that, your pet’s more likely to be better behaved. It’ll make it easier for you to leave your pet home alone and go to class and work.” Another way to make time away from your pet easier for them, Stewart said, is to provide enrichment like treat-dispensing toys and puzzles or activities like snuffle mats. “No matter what stage of life your pet is in, make sure to give them mental stimulation, whether it’s with games or challenging toys they have to figure out. It’ll keep them occupied while you’re away,” Stewart said. Like Stewart, English senior McKenna Fridye said making time for her pets is often her biggest challenge, but planning her schedule accordingly and doing homework in pet-friendly locations helps mitigate this. “Some pets don’t require much attention, but mine always have,” Fridye said. “I have one cat and two dogs, and they’re very needy. I need to make sure I’m home enough times to feed them, take them out to the bathroom and give them the nourishment and care they need from me. Sometimes that’s not possible for me, and I’ll ask my amazing roommates to help me out with them.” Another obstacle is the financial aspect, Fridye said; however, there are options for those who cannot afford to shell out thousands of dollars in adoption fees. “If you can’t financially support a pet, don’t get one,” Fridye said. “I’m lucky enough that my dad helps support my pets financially because he knows how much they mean to me. If finances are an issue, I advise getting a shelter animal that’s already been spayed or neutered and has gotten most or all of their shots. That way, the student will only need to provide food and other necessities for a while until new care is needed.” Despite the struggles that come with having pets in college, Fridye said they make it well worth the work it takes. “My pets are my children to me,” Fridye said. “I love them with all my heart, and I love spending time with them. Especially being an individual with mental health issues, my pets can really help when I’m feeling low. My pets are silly and weird, so they can always make me laugh. Pets also give you a reason to get up and out of bed everyday because they need you to care for them.”
