NO ONE has a crystal ball not even those who are post college... you do NOT need a crystal ball to make a commitment to a dog, cat, or any pet... you need dedication, love, and a sense of responsibility.

I had a cat in college, I still have her, I have had both my Yorkies throughout law school. I moved 5 times since I have had my cat, twice since I have had Armani, and once since I have had Chloe. That's just the statistic of people who live in NYC, they move, a lot. When I start looking for a place, the first question I always ask is whether they take pets THEN, I ask the other things that are important to me. All people may move, may change jobs, may get married/divorced, move in with someone, have a kid, find a grown kid moving back in, a sick elderly parent needing care, and the list goes on. NO ONE has a crystal ball, NO ONE can predict their future. That DOES NOT mean that NO ONE should have pets. You only need dedicated, love, and a sense of responsibility. You need to make a commitment to that pet above anything else, a commitment that no matter what happens in life, that pet goes with you. You make a commitment at the beginning of a journey, not at the end.

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that none of my pets will ever end up in shelters, they have had more time to spend with me throughout school then they ever again will have and they have never needed or wanted for anything. Chloe has had the top medical care since she presented with medical issues, I have spent more on her medical care this past year then most people spend on their pets throughout their lifetime. They get every cute blanket, toy, bed, treat, outfit that they want and tons more then they will probably every be able to use.

To the OP specifically, you need to determine what YOU want out of college. Some people want to spend four years in the dorm, party as much as they can and have nothing to be responsible for, and that is fine but that does not leave room for a pet. Others, want to live off campus, have a small group of friends, and live a more low key life, this situation is PERFECT for a pet. You will never have more time in your life then you do in College. Even with all the studying and extra curriculars I did in College, I always had more free time then when I was working and HAD to be at the office 9- 6 at least and then travel to and from. If you want Cody to live with you, you can make it work and Cody will be a great distraction for you when you need it and a great sense of balance in your life when you are stressed beyond reason.

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You guys said it better than me!

Here are a couple good articles on the subject:

Shelters See Rise in Abandoned Pets as College Students' Year Ends - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Students should think twice before adopting pets : DISTRICT | The student voice of SCAD

What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet | The Humane Society of the United States

I just posted this on Poochieheaven's facebook page today.

Why not go to a college that allows dogs? NY Times Advertisement

I agree with Brister & Armaniman. No two people are alike, I know some "adults" who have never lifted a finger in their lives are are quite frankly children except for the number of years which they have been alive. I also know 18 year olds who have lost their parents & are working their butt's off in pre-med programs because they want to cure the disease their parent died from. To generalize is insulting, no matter the intent. If you are a dog lover and you find love in a dog ... then nothing would make you give it up ... being young is only an excuse.

Again, I share the same concerns Cindy brought up based upon her experience in rescue. I am not worried about allowing college students to have dogs, only what happens to the dog in the post college years.

I suggest we revisit this thread in 10-15 years and see how it worked out for everyone.

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I think the issue is more people who shouldn't be owning dogs in the first place, not that they are college students.

Does it require more work to find a place that will take a dog? Yes- but it is not different having a dog and trying to find a place whether you are 21 or 31.

The biggest issues are 1. New job 2. Housing 3. Babies

This can happen at any age, not just if you are a college student.

Again, I think it comes down to certain people shouldn't be owning dogs, not whether or not they are college kids.

As I stated I am now out of school and still have the three pets I acquired during school and to keep posting these comments is INSULTING. You continue to insinuate that young people WILL give up their pets at some point. As has been stated by other members, many young people are MORE responsible, MORE mature, and better owners then people 2, 3, or 4 times their age. And sorry, but "being in rescue" is not an excuse for continuing to be rude. My dogs (and cat) will NEVER be in rescue WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT.

No one, not even YOU has any idea where they will be in 10-15 years. That DOES NOT mean that they can't make a commitment to a pet and fulfill it.

:rolleyes:

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The mere fact that the person is furthering their education, may actually indicate more responsibility.

:thumbup::thumbup: Amen!!

And this is the problem with this kind of thread. The fact of the matter is many college (age) students give up pets or have them for the wrong reason and don't have the $$$ to pay for them. Are you ladies the exception, I am going to assume yes (I don't know you) but why would you let your temper get in the way of your thinking on this subject. Look at statistic's or live in a college town and work in shelters...that tells the real story. You know in your heart not everyone should have a pet and sadly the younger the age the more inclined the animals will be given up...weather it is to their parents, friends, shelters, rescues..you name it.

The bigger problem to me is after college. Owning a pet is a privilege and not a right as my friend Alison would say.

P.S. If you are not comfortable with the word college then okay young people should not own pets until they have settled down. This thread will come up and people will say...see they took care of their pets in college...

Frankly I am just as disgusted with the ad for the college dorm where you can have a pet...it just screamed Paris Hilton to me...

Cindy,

I think again it comes down to the person, not their age.

How can you plan your life? Could my boyfriend's parents plan that their college age daughter was going to get pregnant, move in with her boyfriend and child, and now they have to support a whole other family and the two dogs they own.

I have lived in two college towns. Due to my line of work I have known many college kids who have owned dogs. Are some great? Yes. Are some horrible? Yes. But this is no different than the 40 year olds I meet.

Money issues can come at any age. I would almost be confident to say that there is a larger risk of having a money crisis as an adult than a student because you have a family, more payments, etc.

Many reasons that people give up dogs- moving, children, allergies, time can happen at any age.

I think it comes down to are you willing to do anything you can to keep your dog once you have it at any age.

The fact may not be that they are college students, but rather like any person who owns a dog that they have to give up, they haven't thought things through or an emergency happened. I would be willing to guess most of these dogs have been bought from pet stores or byb breeders on a impulse because they are cute.

I'm not saying that all college kids should own dogs, because they shouldn't. Just as there are adults that shouldn't own dogs.

It comes down to at any age- if you are responsible and willing to do what needs to be done to own a dog. Then you should own a dog, if not, then don't.

I would also be willing to bet that because of the line of work you are in with your rescue, you see the worst end of it. You don't get to see all the college kids that get pets and are able to take care of them.