Moving up to college can be stressful and intimidating. It is the first time students are on their own, away from their families and furry friends. Being young and dumb, it is easy to make impulsive decisions, like adopting a pet.
There are a lot of benefits to owning an animal, but as much as our moms tell us back home, it can be harder than it looks.
Less than a year ago I adopted two strays from the outskirts of my hometown. Shy at first, these two tabbies have become the light of my life. I’ve seen them grow from kittens to smaller-than-average-sized cats with big personalities.
Do I sound like a person who is at risk of becoming a crazy cat lady? Maybe. But owning animals has brought out a better side of me—a responsible one.
A neighbor across from my apartment complex lives in a home that shows their personality and is littered by adopted strays. As animal people themselves, they have adopted more than 10 cats from the area that would have been euthanized.
Students have a track record of dumping their pets on university grounds, and it has become such a habit that University of Idaho started catching and euthanizing them. My neighbor, who couldn’t deal with this happening, started adopting to give them a longer life.
Each week, I see her feeding them and adding new additions to her home to make the cats happier, including a mini porch on their second-floor window, so they can wander on the roof.
We need more people like my neighbor in the world.
On the Palouse, there are a couple of humane societies that take care of animals with a sad past, looking for happy endings. And plenty of college students missing their pets at home with soon-to-be adoption remorse.
Before adding a furry addition to your home, ask yourself if you can support them for 10-15 years and if you will be able to take care of them. People’s lives will change, and eventually, be uprooted from Moscow. Moving on after graduating into the workforce, traveling with pets can be challenging.
Along with medical fees, restocking on litter and food, they can also break the bank. Owners also must think about if they want to declaw, spay or neuter their pets as well, which can cost a pretty penny.
Being a responsible and empathetic person is being a good pet owner. These animals have as much of a right to live a good life as you or me and do not deserve to be dumped outside, scared and alone.
Emily Pearce can be reached at arg-opinion@uidaho.edu or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce