So, You Want to Own a Pet?

By Brian Babcock
Staff Writer

Nothing beats coming home after a long day to a furry face and a wagging tail.

Many students may find themselves feeling lonely and wishing for a pet to cuddle up with. But are you ready to commit to a cat, a dog, a parakeet, a fish or a hamster? Here are some factors involved when considering a new pet, including training, monthly costs, and time commitments.

Dogs

Dogs love to play, can be great for people who love exercise, and come in a variety of breeds depending on what you’re looking for. However, dogs require a lot of attention, bathroom breaks, walks, grooming, and training—a puppy should not be an impulse buy.

WCC student Jamaal Ingram owns three Yorkies named Buddy, Scrappy and Cinnamon. Ingram said it’s often a hassle for him and his family to care for the dogs, but he still loves having them around.

“When we first got our dogs, it was a lot,” said Ingram “We were like ‘oh wow, we’ve gotta do this and that.’ It was tough, so me and my family had to work together.”

Wendy Welch, the communications dierector of the Human Society of Huron Valley, said that students should remember that each dog has individual needs, just like people do.

“It’s a lifelong commitment to adopt,” Welch said. “If someone isn’t able to make that lifelong commitment, we encourage people to volunteer, or spend time with dogs in other ways.”

Cats

For students who want a pet that can bathe itself and doesn’t need to be let outside to do its business, a cat might be their best bet. Cats and dogs alike can be rescued from shelters like the Humane Society. What sets cats apart from dogs is a significantly lower reliance on humans for care, but don’t leave it alone all day if you can help it—cats need love too.

WCC student Yasmin Said owns two cats, Oscar and Mario, and she said it’s never a dull moment with two felines running around.

Said lives with her family of eight, and everyone pitches in to take care of the cats. She said that if she had to take care of two cats by herself, it might be too much.

“I’m always at school or I work, so [I’d] have nobody to take care of them and they’d be lonely,” she said. “I’m just happy to have family help me out with them.”

Some cats may be perfectly fine with being left alone for eight hours, while other cats may crave attention and want to constantly be on your lap, Welch said.

Parakeets

Parakeet care includes cleaning their cage, providing them with fun toys and filling up their seed and water. It is recommended to buy parakeets in pairs, as birds require social interactions.

Hamsters

Hamsters are nocturnal, which means they mostly sleep during the day and run on a wheel inside their cage at night. Rodents are lower on the maintenance scale, but their cage needs to be changed weekly and they require fresh toys and treats to chew on because their teeth are continually growing.

Fish

Fish are very easy to maintain as long as you make sure the tank or fishbowl remains clean, the water filter is changed and that they are being fed twice a day. Fish can be very inexpensive and do not require a specific amount of attention.

The bottom line

Students should seriously consider the pros and cons of a pet before they make the decision to adopt an animal—a furry or feathered friend can be one of the best decisions of your life, but it can also be a mistake for some students, so choose wisely.

Welch mentioned that students should consider the financial aspect of veterinary care, know the animal’s lifespan, and that when students move they will have to keep their animal friend in mind. Welch said that regular exercise, playtime, appropriate toys and socialization are all time commitments that a pet owner should consider.

“Enrichment activities like that are important,” said Welch.

“Lots of times, people will come in and they’ll fall in love with an animal without taking into consideration that animal’s needs, and their own needs in terms of their lifestyle,” Welch said. “That’s a big thing that we go over with people right away.”

The right pet for a homebody student who works from their computer might not be the same pet as a student who goes from school to work and then is out with their friends at night.

“We really try hard here at the Humane Society of Huron Valley to match people with the [right] animal,” Welch said.

If a pet seems like too big of a commitment right now, start with a houseplant and enjoy taking care of a green, lower-maintenance little friend.

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