Lesley Brey
Reporter
Spiders, and snakes, and rats, oh my! While some may consider this a list of pests, for college students looking for animal companionship, it may be a list of pets. Idaho State University is far from unique fin its “no pets” in student housing policy. This policy prohibits most animals unless they qualify as an accommodation for a disability. For many who grew up with pets back home, moving to college also means moving away from lifelong furry companions.
However, just because you’re focusing on school doesn’t mean having an animal is completely off the table. Many students have found a way to have their cake and eat it too by expanding on the definition of a pet. Meanwhile, others have found off-campus housing that has more understanding pet-tolerant policies. In a poll conducted by The Bengal on Instagram, 62% of respondents said they were pet-owning college students.
If you’re going to have a pet on campus, the first thing to be aware of is the specific wording of the law. In the “Standards of Residence” manual, ISU outlines its guidelines for animals as, “No pets allowed, except for fish and special ADA certified care animals. Aquariums that are balanced and are 20-gallons or less in size are permitted. Violation of the pet policy may result in a fine to the resident.”
Although fish may not be as cuddly as the more traditional cat or dog, they are still interesting to watch. Alternatively, some students have interpreted this policy to mean any animal that can safely live in a 20-gallon tank, such as the aforementioned spiders, snakes and even salamanders.
One anonymous student said, “I have salamanders because they are able to live comfortably within that environment. I have it set up so that it is a bioactive enclosure, there are plants and leaf litter and various animals that break down waste, so it is a self-contained ecosystem. It gives me a piece of the natural world in my living situation. I’m not particularly worried about the policy because what they are worried about is animals that create a disturbance for other students, like unauthorized cats and dogs. My salamanders create the same level of disturbance as a fish would, so I believe I can justify it to the university.”
When living off-campus, the rules can be a little less restrictive. Many property management companies in town allow small pets if the tenant pays an extra pet fee monthly. Here, the problems that student-pet-owners face are similar to what many of us were used to back at home: feeding, cleaning and making time to play. On Instagram, several students shared the issues they faced.
Instagram user Kidakaroo said their biggest concern was “Remembering to spend time with [their pet].”
Meanwhile, user Itsallthesametome said it was “Being away from [their pet] all day.”
User Emmasnotcool summarized these struggles, saying, “[Finding] enough playtime between work and school and school work.”
If you’re considering getting a pet, there are a few things to keep in mind before you buy. Pets are long-term commitments, with many having life spans nearly triple the amount of time you’ll spend in college. You wouldn’t just be buying a pet for now, but for at least 10 years ostensibly. Consider the needs of whatever kind of animal you’re interested in, and whether these can be met within your current schedule and lifestyle.
A good rule of thumb is to think about owning a pet like having another 3-credit course added to your schedule every semester. If just thinking about taking 18 credits makes you overwhelmed, that’s probably a good sign that you’re not in the position to get a pet.
“During busy weeks with school, it’s hard to find quality time to spend loving my cats. They want attention when I’m trying to do work, they want to help me with my assignments, but I usually have to kick them out of the room to focus. However, on lazy days there’s nothing nicer than being able to cuddle up with them on my bed,” said Ari Herrera, a junior biology major, who lives off-campus.
