Emmett Christolear – Managing Editor
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Check out all the cuteness in our print edition (Photos submitted by pet owners).
The benefits of owning a pet are numerous. Not only are they adorable, but they can provide stress relief and companionship. Once you have decided you want a pet, it may be hard to figure out your next step.
If you live in an apartment, be sure to ask your landlord about pet policies before you start looking. Some landlords only allow certain kinds of pets or pets of a certain weight and below. Be sure to clarify with your landlord, as well, about the pet fee; always confirm the price so there is no confusion later on.
If you live with your parents, roommate(s) or a significant other, let them know what kind of pet you are thinking of getting. Also, be sure to discuss allergies with the people you live with.
Once you have the logistics settled, it is time to start searching for the perfect pet. Making a list of things you want out of a pet can help greatly. For example, my partner and I wanted an adult cat of either gender who was declawed and accustomed to cuddling. We decided on an older, declawed cat because we wanted our furniture to remain in-tact and we do not have the time to commit to a kitten.
Certain pets require a lot of attention. If time is something you are worried about, please evaluate what kind of pet can fit into your schedule. For example, a large dog will need a lot of exercise, especially if you live in an apartment.
Also, be aware that pets may interrupt your normal sleeping pattern. “The worst thing about having [a cat]is that [Nova] decides it’s play time at 3 a.m. and won’t stop till she wakes me up,” said Kasey Paul, a senior studying heath care management.
It may take some time to adjust to having a pet around at night, so just be patient. If you do not want a pet to sleep in your bed, take time to make sure the pet knows the location of their bed. Some pets may like sleeping on a certain chair or on their special blanket. Do not get discouraged if it takes time for your pet to adjust; you are already adjusted to your apartment, but a new pet will have to get the lay of the land.
Cats and dogs may take a toll on your furniture. Younger pets are more likely to scratch at furniture. If you have old furniture that you do not care about, you may not care if a pet tears at it. There are plenty of ways to protect your things from pets, so ask the vet or adoption agency for tips.
Junior pre-vet and neuroscience major Lauren Osborn said “The worst thing about having a pet, particularly a dog, is definitely the puppy phase! When your pet is constantly tearing up everything and isn’t house-trained yet, it’s hard to remember how cute they are.”
For students who do not want a cat or dog, there are other options. Rebecca Graber, an alumni, decided to get a hedgehog. “I got a hedgehog because, one, they are super cute,” Graber said. “And, two, I did a lot of research on them and thought a hedgehog would be a perfect fit since they are low maintenance. Odette lives with me in my room and has a cage to herself.”
Once you have decided on your pet, get prepared. Be sure to consider your budget. Pets can be costly, especially if they become sick. Before my partner and I took our new pet home, we paid half of the adoption fee (that way, she was guaranteed to be ours). We went out, got a cat carrier, litter box, litter, cat food, toys and food and water bowls. After purchasing those items, we set our apartment up so she would feel right at home. The day we picked her up, we paid the rest of the adoption fee.
Adoption societies will require you to take your new pet to the vet within a certain amount of time. Quickly make the appointment and be sure not to miss it. Before leaving the adoption agency, be sure that you understand all of the instructions given to you.
Ask for vet recommendations from the adoption society and from friends. A good, yet affordably priced, vet is essential to the health of your pet. When budgeting for a pet, factor in yearly checkups and vaccinations, if the animal will need to be fixed, flea and tick medication and heart worm pills.
“My partner and I adopted a kitten, Thor, a few years ago. He tested positive for feline leukemia. His first owners couldn’t keep him but didn’t want to put him down since the test didn’t mean he would actually have the disease,” said Haley Townsend, Kscope’s Editor-in-Chief. “He passed away just after Christmas of 2012 from a tumor on his lungs. We didn’t even know he was sick until Christmas Eve. I want people to know how important it is to get your pets properly vaccinated so that innocent animals don’t have to suffer.”
It may take time to decide on a pet, but once you bring your new pal home, they can become your best friend. “My cat is an idiot (thus named after Dostoevsky’s protagonist in “The Idiot”), and he always is good for a few laughs. Anastasia is so sweet and seems to have a sense of when I’m feeling down,” said Evan Smith, a junior political science and philosophy major. “She really does ‘know’ when I’m sad and will be extra cuddly to make me feel better.”
Nicholas Williams’ cat, named Meowkovich, aids with stress-relief. “Like all cats, mine believes it’s his job to alleviate stress by sitting on my homework so I can’t do it. Usually I agree with him.”
For more information on adopting a pet in Birmingham, visit the Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s website at gbhs.org. Their website features tips on adoption preparations, services and available pets.
