Having a pet in college isn’t for everyone

Ariel Weinstein / Contributing Writer

opinion@fiusm.com


 

Having four family dogs of my own, I can assure you it is one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Animals are not just pets; they are part of the family and make for best friends.

However, I also strongly believe that there is a time and place in life to start having this type of responsibility, and being a student in college is not that time unless you have a support system to help you.

Having any type of animal as a pet comes with a lot of responsibility. However, I strongly believe it is one of the most rewarding and pleasurable kinds. I have always loved animals, and am a strong supporter of people wanting to have them in their lives.

Companionship is a human need and desire, though it does not always necessitate the presence of another human being. In many cases, people find comfort and companionship through having a pet.

Humans want someone or some animal to come home to. They want to avoid the feeling of being alone when no one else is home, and many want someone to depend on them and make them feel loved.

What people do not understand, especially college students, is that companionship with a pet is a two-way street. Dogs, cats and other animals also need to feel loved, cared for and have time spent with them so they do not feel alone.

When thinking about getting a dog in college, students must consider many things. Once they get past restrictions on pets in dorms and apartments (FIU residence halls do not allow pets other than fish), they have to consider if they should have one.

Three to six classes a week, on top of work, is a lot of hours to spend away from a dog. Other than classes and work, students also want to have a social life and go out when they have free time. Having a dog puts a halt on plans to go out, because after all those hours away in class and at work, there is little time left to walk, play and provide companionship.

Dogs can become depressed and anxious when left alone for too long. This is why finding time in your schedule to care for and love your dog is so crucial for their well being.

Aside from finding time in a busy schedule, students should consider that animals can be very expensive. Quality dog food, vet bills, grooming, medications and vaccines all add up and can take a toll on your bank account. If students are working hard to earn money to pay for school, food and rent expenses it might be difficult to find the money to care for both themselves and their dog, which is unfair to both.

Then there is commitment. Can you see yourself waking up at six in the morning to walk a dog? Or coming home between classes and work to let the dog out while your friends go meet up for lunch? If you have a puppy, you’ll need to wake up multiple times during the night to let them out. All of these considerations are factors in deciding to get a dog.

If a look at your budget and schedule shows the time and money to give an animal the best possible care and life, by all means go for it. However, if you just want a dog to come home to when you feel like it and cannot see yourself putting 100 percent into them, maybe you should reconsider.

Take this time to learn responsibilities such as money managing, balancing social and academic time and living to make a life for yourself, so that someday an animal can happily be a part of as well.


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