Pets provide lesson in responsibility to college students
Humane Society discusses implications of adopting, caring for animals on busy schedules
By Moira Bagley
Kentucky Kernel (U. Kentucky)
(U-WIRE) LEXINGTON, Ky. - College can be a time for experimentation. Sometimes it's with certain beverages, other times it's with dating.
Sometimes, it's with a pet.
For many students, college seems like the right time to get a pet.
"Janie's the best thing that's ever happened to me," Tyler Moore, a junior at the University of Kentucky, said. "But she's broken my pocket."
Moore spends most of his free time catering to the needs of Janie.
Janie is a six-month-old puppy that Moore adopted from the Lexington Humane Society in Lexington, Ky., when she was six-weeks-old.
"When I first got her, I never went out," he said. "I wanted to stay at home with her."
Before adopting Janie, Moore considered the amount of time and money that would go into owning a pet and decided the choice was right for him.
But other students may find owning a pet a huge responsibility.
Joey Von Dohlen, an adoptions counselor at the Lexington Humane Society, said that unlike Moore, many college students adopt pets without considering the amount of responsibility a furry friend entails.
"There are a few responsible ones, and then there are those who just want an attention-getter," Von Dohlen said, referring to those students that come to the humane society with the desire to adopt.
With 10,000 to 12,000 animals coming into the Lexington Humane Society every year, finding good homes for all of them can be difficult. Von Dohlen said he often recommends students don't adopt pets.
"The problem with college students adopting pets is constantly changing schedules and a lack of permanence in living situations," Von Dohlen said.
Von Dohlen said the Lexington Humane Society does reserve the right to deny adoption to those who seem like unfit owners.
"But it's hard to really know how someone is by just meeting with them for a few minutes."
Along with the right to deny ownership, the Humane Society can also perform a property check, where they will go to the potential home of a pet to ensure the environment is safe.
Living situations aren't the only factor to take into consideration when considering owning a pet.
"A lot of students don't have time," Jason Pierce, a return-to-owner clerk at the Lexington Humane Society, said.
Some students do take time into consideration, like Ryan Meador, a second year architecture student.
"I really wanted to get a dog, but then I got into architecture school," he said.
Planning for the future is a necessity if you are interested in getting a pet.
Scott emphasizes the time commitment that must be made for a pet
If a student really wants a pet, Scott recommends a fish.
"They're low maintenance, and you only have to feed them like once a day."
Fido sounds like a good name for a fish.
Thinking about adopting?
To adopt a pet at the Humane Society you will need $90 and a proof of lease. Sometimes a property check will be done.
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