Whether they’re missing their animal friends back home or are in need of companionship, some students make the decision to get a pet during their time in college. For some, their new friend is a small pet, like a hamster, lizard or fish. For others, adopting a larger pet like dogs or cats is the way to go. So how exactly do you go about bringing a furry friend home? Let Distraction guide you through the magical world of pet adoption.
At the end of her freshman year, Maeve Petersen knew exactly what she needed to make her college life better: a puppy.
“As a freshman, I was lonely without my dog from home,” said Petersen, a University of Miami sophomore and nursing major. “I knew at that point that when I would be a sophomore living in my own apartment, I needed a dog to provide emotional support.”
Petersen acquired her dog, a male dachshund named Lincoln, in 2023 from a local breeder in Ohio. She now lives off campus with her one-year-old puppy in Vox Miami, a student housing development in South Miami.
Petersen’s experience mirrors that of thousands of other college students — especially those of first-year students who experience separation anxiety from their family pets. Research, including a 2021 study conducted by Washington State University professors, finds that as many as 75% of college freshmen say they experience some form of separation anxiety during the transition to college.
As a result, more universities are adapting their housing policies to allow pets to fit in the campus picture. While it is difficult to pin down the exact number of colleges that allow students to live with their pets on campus, scores of universities are implementing pet-friendly dorm policies in ways that include appointing one or more residence halls to accommodate pets. So, a variety of pets from dogs, cats, chinchillas and birds, to hamsters, ducks, ferrets and fish in tanks up to 50 gallons, are checking in along with their human counterparts.
Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., is believed to be one of the first campuses in the United States to offer pet-friendly housing, as it allowed students to have cats and dogs more than 50 years ago in 1973.
Today, the school even hosts a pet graduation ceremony.
Unfortunately for us Hurricanes, University of Miami isn’t as pet friendly as Eckerd.
According to University of Miami’s campus policy, pets other than aquarium fish are not permitted in any on-campus housing facility. However, emotional support animals and service animals are allowed with approval of the Office of Disability Services, and many off-campus student housing policies allow residents to keep registered pets.
“When deciding on which student housing apartment I wanted to live in after freshman year, choosing a pet friendly apartment was my biggest priority as I knew I wanted to eventually adopt a dog,” said Lucy McCarthy, a UM sophomore.
While you might be excited to bring home a new pet, students are advised to discuss their pet adoption plans with their roommate or family before adopting. Having a roommate who dislikes animals could also be a reason to reconsider adopting, and it is important that everyone is comfortable with having a pet in their space.
McCarthy, who owns a 7-month-old Corgi named Carrot, shares an apartment with Petersen and her dachshund.
“With Maeve being my roommate and already having her dog, Lincoln, I knew if I got a dog it would not be a problem for her,” McCarthy said. “I do know that there are some people who don’t ask their roommates for permission before adopting a pet and that can put both you, the roommate and the pet, in a very difficult situation.”
Jill Davis, CEO of Animals Helping Humans and Humans Helping Animals in Gainesville, Fla., said students need to be aware of the many other responsibilities of pet ownership.
“If [students] are living in their own house and have a said stable career lined up, that’s a different story,” said Davis. “But if they are relying on their parents, that’s where I see things go awry because they are not on board sometimes.”
McCarthy agrees that students have to consider how they will care for their pets, including during academic breaks and post graduation. For example, over breaks, McCarthy takes Carrot with her by plane to New Jersey.
Another important thing to consider when adopting a pet are the associated expenses. Petersen suggests that potential pet owners investigate these costs and look into things that might help save money in the long run like pet insurance.
“Having pet insurance is crucial,” Petersen said. “Vet bills can be very expensive especially as an independent college student and having pet insurance definitely helps cover some of the cost that comes with owning a pet.”
Forbes Advisor lists the average cost of pet insurance at $25 per month for cats and $49 per month for dogs. Of course, this also varies depending on the breed and size of your pet.
Petersen and McCarthy had their pets vaccinated and microchipped. Petersen paid $150 for vaccines and microchipping and McCarthy paid $100 for vaccines and microchipping.
If you’re worried about the cost of pet adoption, some organizations will help the new pet owner with initial expenses.
UPurr, a UM student organization dedicated to aiding abandoned cats found on campus, encourages the UM community to consider fostering or adopting a cat and raises money through donations to pay for the required comprehensive veterinary examination. This includes a physical exam, deworming treatment, flea and tick prevention, spaying and neutering surgery, testing for FIV, FeLV and heartworm, fecal analysis, and FVRCP and rabies vaccinations.
The complexity of college students’ academic and social schedules is also a crucial factor to consider when seeking to adopt a furry friend. To ensure the well-being of an adopted pet, exercise and playtime are necessary, so college students must carefully assess their ability to provide a stable environment and make the necessary sacrifices needed for their pet.
“Before I got my dog, Carrot, I used to study for hours in the library and stay on campus in between classes,” McCarthy said. “Since I got Carrot, I don’t stay on campus as long and instead of going to the library in between classes, I study in my apartment to make sure I spend time with Carrot.”
Petersen said she keeps Lincoln in mind when she makes her class schedule.
“I revolve my time on campus and classes around my male dachshund” Petersen said. “On the weekends, days I don’t have classes, or when I am home in between classes, I take Lincoln on long walks, let him run around in the pool area of my apartment building and take him to the beach.”
Without proper planning, the adopted pet can end up back at a shelter or abandoned, according to the Humane Society and other animal groups.
“It’s definitely an emotional thing getting the animal and having to give the animal up, which can be very traumatic on both sides,” Davis said.
So before jumping the gun and running to the animal shelter or nearest pet breeder, make sure you’ve fully thought through the adoption process and that you can meet all emotional and financial needs for your potential new best friend . You’ll thank us later.
A Few Rules of Engagement for the Student Pet Owner
As a college student looking to adopt a furry friend, it is important to remember the responsibilities that come with this special companionship. While the idea of a pet may bring comfort and happiness, a long-term commitment comes with it. From financial liabilities to a consistent daily routine, pet adoption requires extensive research and dedication.
Although owning a pet as a college student can be challenging here are five tips curated from student pet owners and animal care websites and organizations to help relieve some of the stress that students experience.
- Create a budget that includes not only your daily living expenses but also pet costs such as their food, toys and vet bills is one way to be financially aware before adopting a pet.
- Research the breed of dog that best fits your lifestyle before adopting. Some breeds require more maintenance than others. Pet size restrictions depending on where you live may also be something to consider. If you are living in a small apartment, it may be best to adopt a small breed of dog that requires less space and outdoor time.
- Ensure that everyone is comfortable with your decision in adopting a pet, which will help decrease the chance of having to return the pet. This not only helps to reduce stress for the animal, but also for the student.
- Have a support network, which can make for an easier transition into being a pet owner. Taking care of a pet all on your own with no support or nobody to rely on can make caring for your pet more challenging. Ensure that you have a support system before adopting.
- Be patient. “Give it a good month before you judge the animal for its actions or lack of actions because it’s transitioning,” said Jill Davis, CEO of Animals Helping Humans and Humans Helping Animals in Gainesville, Fla.
words_sofie daiberl, mia gerlock & quinn hilbert. photo_sharron lou. design_charlotte deangelis.
This article was published in Distraction’s Summer 2024 print issue.
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