Though many students want a pet, it is important to fully investigate the requirements of a rental property lease or neighborhood restrictions regarding pets. A pet deposit or fee often is required and specific guidelines must be followed. Also, it is a good idea to evaluate your capacity to provide adequate care and attention to a pet.

Before adopting a pet, consider your ability to maintain attention for a pet. Ask yourself:

• Can I commit to it for the life of that animal?
• Do I have the financial resources to care for a pet properly?
• Do my work, class, and social schedules allow adequate time to spend with the pet?

You must consider the environment in which you live and respect the residential community standards if you plan to own a pet in a house or apartment. For example,

• Consider how large your property is in proportion to the size of your pet. Is the space adequate for the pet to stay while you are away?
• Consider how your pet’s actions will impact others. Have you trained your pet to have good socialization skills to interact with humans and other animals in a peaceful way?
• Always clean up your pet’s waste and dispose of it properly. Are you willing to follow your pet with a newspaper and plastic bag to scoop pet waste from your neighbor’s lawn?

Owning or adopting a pet for a short time and then leaving it homeless when you move is inhumane. Also, abandoning a pet because you decide you cannot care for it properly does not exemplify responsibility.

What Size Pet Should I Have?

Many rental properties have limits on the size and type of pets allowed on the property, if they are allowed. For example, one property management company allows all size dogs, but restricts certain breeds that are designated as the “most aggressive” breeds for the year by the American Kennel Club. They might allow a dog from an aggressive breed to live on the property if it has passed “good citizenship” training and certified by the AKC. Rules also apply to visiting pets.