???Pets can be an enriching addition to a person's life. However, college students face financial and time constraints on owning a furry creature of their own.
???"People are very passionate about animals. They want puppies in their lives; they want cats in their lives; dogs and hamsters and rabbits in their lives," said Gina Browning, the director of public relations for the Erie County SPCA. "Nevertheless, it's important to consider that if you're busy, it's not fair to have an animal."
???Alexander Harter, a sophomore chemical engineering major, owns a half husky and half golden retriever mix that he leaves at home with his family because he feels he doesn't have quite enough time to care for it.
???"Full-time college students are a different story," Harter said. "They have homework, studying, classes, and social lives that will most likely be outside their dorm or house."
???Harter admits to missing his dog and believes that she misses him, noting that she gets very needy for attention when she notices people packing to go on trips and such.
???"Certain pets are fine if they can be independent enough," Harter said. "Pets like hamsters, fish and other small self-feeding animals are fine as you can [clean] the cage or [change the ]tank water when you have time."
???According to Browning, animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and rabbits do not require the time that animals with personality concerns, such as cats or dogs, do.
???"There are so many different elements to a dog or cat's personality in comparison to that of a rabbit," Browning said. "So if a person's coming in to adopt a dog or a cat, we really encourage them to spend a bit of time getting to know that animal and its personality and its behavior traits."
???According to Ian Moore, a junior history major and owner of a Great Dane, it is possible for some students to care for pets while attending college.
???"I am home very little and although I would love to have my dog here, she needs more attention then I can provide," Moore said. "But if you have roommates willing to split the responsibility then it should be okay."
???Moore mentioned that his sister used to own a cat in a dorm illegally.
???"A pet raised by college students can be one of the best pets you will ever have," Moore said. "If you want to sneak an animal into a dorm or you have an off-campus apartment, the college life breeds very social animals and with so many people focusing on one animal, it will pick up whatever tricks you want to teach it quicker and easier."
???Browning said she does not distinguish between college students and non-students, despite the fact that there are people who stereotype college students as flighty and bad with pets.
???"If someone is willing to have a commitment to an animal, he or she will find a way to get that animal, regardless of age," Browning said. "I'm not going to say we're not going to adopt to college students because I've seen some flourish with the influence of an animal in the life. We can't deprive the chance for someone who really needs an animal to have one or to deprive on of our beautiful animals from a potentially excellent home.
???Teresa Steenburgh, an alumna, lives in a half house and owns three sugar gliders and a cat. She originally lived in a dorm and missed having a pet since she had always had one before getting to college. Later on, while still a full-time student, she moved off campus and brought her cat from home. She notes that it was hard to find a place that allows pets and that the deposit for having a pet in the house can be costly.
???"It can be hard to take care of pets, especially multiple pets, while being a full-time student," Steenburgh said. "I also work, so there's even less time at home. But there's nothing like de-stressing after a rough day with a good movie and a cat in my lap."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
