4 Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet as a College Student

photo credit: Tamanna Sood

by Tamanna Sood ‘24

The thought of owning a pet during your college career has probably crossed your mind once or twice. Having a little, cuddly friend sitting on your lap while you're studying or having a pet to come home to after a long day of classes seems like the perfect way to beat the isolation of finals season. However, with the hustle and bustle of school and the never ending assignments, owning a pet can seem impossible.

How true that is really depends on your specific situation. I sat down with my friend, Carlos Angulo, a senior studying Economics and minoring in Finance and Computer Programming, and his 8 month-old mini Australian Shepherd puppy, Ozzie, to get a better understanding of everything students should consider before getting a pet in college. 

Research, Research, Research!

Carlos’ main piece of advice was to do your research, take your time,  and consider several factors that impact how much time and energy you’ll have to raise a pet while in school. “Since I started school, I wanted a pet, but I knew that while I was living in a dorm, figuring out my footing in school, and focusing on my studies, I wouldn’t be able to take care of one,” Carlos shared. He emphasized that waiting to adopt a dog in his senior year, where he had more control of his living environment and schedule, was the best decision he made. 

Assessing your lifestyle, free time, energy, housing arrangement, temperament, and budget will open your eyes to the realities of owning a pet in college. On top of this, making sure you’re adopting the right pet and breed for your lifestyle is important. Carlos said that he always wanted an active and social dog that would mesh well with his life. Carlos chose Ozzie specifically because mini Australian Shepherds are relatively social and active while still being quite independent, so they can be left alone for a couple hours.

Pets are generally not allowed in USC housing, “unless they are fish in aquariums under 10 gallons”, which can make it hard specifically for underclassmen to own pets.  Service and Assistance Animals are allowed in dorms and university campus units, however, the University must be notified prior and pets must be trained according to regulations. Carlos notes that even as an upperclassman, off-campus housing around USC that accommodates pets can be hard to find and can make the process of finding housing in your budget even more difficult. Keep in mind that apartments will usually charge a pet deposit as well as monthly pet rent that can add an additional $50-100 to your monthly bill. However, getting your pet certified as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can make the process a little bit easier and open doors for you. 

Adopt During the Summer or Over a Break

Carlos said that getting Ozzie in the summer helped him tremendously in socializing and training him. “If I had gotten Ozzie when school had started, I don’t think I would have been able to train him as well as I did,” he reflected. Ozzie was adopted mid-summer, and Carlos was able to give him all his attention, which allowed him to train the puppy to fit his college lifestyle. “I did everything I could to avoid giving him separation anxiety, and I believe that adopting him during the summer really helped that,” he remarked.  Adopting your pet during a break might be the best way to bond with, socialize, and train your pet without adding extra stress during the school year. 

Have a Strong Support System

Carlos emphasizes that having a roommate that is willing to help with Ozzie’s care makes all the difference. “My roommate and I are both dog people, and it’s really nice to know that I can leave Ozzie with him and know he’s taken care of, “ he said. Having multiple conversations with your housemates about living with a pet is imperative before you decide to adopt. Make sure to consider if you have people in your life that can step up when you need them to. For example, if you need to go to a conference for a weekend or if you want to spend the night out, make sure you have a roommate or friend who is willing to take care of your pet.

Budget Ahead for a Pet

Oftentimes, just taking care of yourself can feel taxing and impossible in college. Personal expenses rack up in minutes and owning a pet will only add on to that. “Owning a pet is definitely expensive, but adopting Ozzie has been the best decision for me. He came into my life at a time where I really needed him, ” said Carlos.

Ozzie’s expenses range from an extra $50-200 depending on the month and how many supplies he still has leftover. Carlos also said that because he grew up with dogs he’s been able to cut costs when it comes to training and grooming by doing the jobs himself.  “It’s more expensive some months than it is in others, but overall, I have been able to budget his needs pretty easily,” he said.

USC’s location and Los Angeles can also really impact the cost of pet care including grooming, food costs, and other services that are necessary with pet ownership. Some pets and some breeds can also have more expenses depending on their needs. It’s also important to make sure that you have an emergency fund set aside for any health emergencies your pet might encounter as well as the high cost of regular vet bills. Making sure that you pick the right pet for your life and budget is imperative before you make the decision to adopt. 

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