Nothing can turn your day around like a furry friend. The temptation to adopt a pet in college can be strong, especially when away from home and family. But owning a pet isn’t always so pleasant; many students do not recognize the cost and time that it takes to be a pet owner.
Taking care of a pet can cost anywhere from $200 to almost $2,000, including everything from food to grooming to vet care. Pets also require a significant time commitment. According to the ASPCA, dogs thrive on several hours of companionship, while cats also like to be treated to playful sessions with their owners. Hectic college schedules can make this task nearly impossible.
For communication studies junior Carley Nelson, her first dog was too much for her to handle. Though her first puppy was cute, Nelson had to make the decision to give her up two weeks after getting her.
“She would wake up every hour on the hour,” Nelson said about the six-week-old puppy. “I also worked almost full time at a restaurant, and my roommates weren’t too happy that the puppy would wake [them] up every hour.”
Nelson said she did not think of the repercussions, and that the cost and responsibility of being a pet owner can 
be overwhelming.
“Pet bills are out of this world,” Nelson said. “You have to be able to just pay out of pocket for anything that the dog needs.”
Before jumping into pet ownership, several organizations offer resources to help students make the best decision for their needs.
Project Purr and Cat Haven are two non-profit organizations that save cats from abused homes. Students who want feline companionship can interact with cats for free.
They are able to volunteer for positions such as adoption counselors or pet transporters where they are able to spend one-on-one time with the cats.
Students who enjoy other species can volunteer at the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society, or CAAWS. CAWWS volunteers choose between dog and cat shifts, where they can feed, groom or play with the animals.
While having a pet may sound like a good idea at first, the obligations of pet ownership can be staggering. Before hastily making a decision, students should inform themselves of the cost and needs of the pet. They should also make sure that their personal schedule will accommodate an animal.