The college lifestyle is definitely one that is unique in its own right. Oftentimes students, regardless of their grade level, have to learn how to adjust to not only a new school and campus, but living arrangements as well. Depending on where a student lives, he/she can turn to having a pet in order to serve as a cuddly companion. Of course when it comes to having pets, it is important for students to remember that this is yet another responsibility that must be paid attention to in addition to their studies.
In many cases, college students may not be able to have pets in the first place. Prime examples include freshmen living in the dorms on campus. For instance, those planning on moving into one of the dorms or other related student housing on San Francisco State University’s campus are only allowed to have fish as pets and they must be housed in an aquarium that holds no more than 10 gallons of water.
Another example includes students that plan on moving into an apartment building either on campus or close to it. Depending on the landlord’s policies, tenants may not be able to have pets of any kind or some landlords may simply not want any dogs or cats in the units but could allow other types of pets. Whether pets would be allowed for students that plan on renting a room in a residential house will vary from situation to situation. Additionally, it’s important to factor in whether an extra deposit could be required for places that do allow pets.
It is a good idea to first find out if the place where you plan on moving to in order to attend school will allow pets and what kind. Be sure to get these guidelines/rules for pets (if applicable) in writing and make sure you understand what duties are expected of you as the pet owner. Failing to follow the rules set by your landlord could lead to conflict/disagreements and consequences that might even include being asked to move out.
College students renting a room in a residential home will have to learn how to provide for their pets while they are in class. In cities like San Francisco, many of the homes are in neighborhoods where there is not a lot of space between buildings. Keeping pets in a designated area is very important in such situations, especially for dog owners. Luckily, there are products that serve as a solution to these types of issues, such as an electric dog fence. This product is essentially an “invisible” fence that allows dogs and other animals to run free and remain safe, while not being an eyesore that most traditional fences present. Students that are really into technology can look into a wireless dog fence, which operates by using radio waves to establish a circular boundary around the base station that is set up. It’s best to look up consumer reviews and see which brands offer the best results.
In sum, being a college student limits the type of pets you can have while in school. But if you simply have to bring fido with you, you will most likely have to find off-campus housing and read the fine print on the lease. Most Bay Area colleges and community colleges do not allow pets on campus, unless they are a guide dog for the blind. If you must take your pet with you to college, do your research when finding solutions for your pet not to stray away.
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