Spring Semester is upon us, which means the hunt for next year's housing is well under way for many Ball State University students.
Some are considering changing dorms and moving in with new roommates, some are shifting between off-campus locales, and graduating seniors might even be considering apartments and homes wherever their first "real" jobs will take them. For those moving off-campus for the first time or remaining off-campus after this year, there are literally hundreds of options from which to choose.
But one question that frequently comes up can significantly narrow those options: Should I get a pet?
Many of the dorm-weary students at Ball State, accustomed to sharing their family homes with animals, buy goldfish or sneak in small pets, such as hamsters.
When the opportunity arises to live off campus in a house or apartment that allows animals, some students make the choice to adopt a larger pet like a dog or cat.
While adopting one's very own first pet can certainly be exhilarating, it should only be the result of significant planning and forethought.
Taking responsibility for the life of an animal is not something to be done on a whim.
Cute as Paris Hilton's Tinkerbell might be, no animal is meant to be a fashion accessory.
Those beyond-adorable puppies and kittens at the animal shelter do not exist for our amusement; they need steadfast care when they're sick or disobedient just as much as when they're lovable and sweet.
So what kind of animal is best to adopt?
Most people know whether they're dog people or cat people - and some are iguana people, snake people, bird people or even tarantula people. But since the majority of the pets in the United States are cats and dogs, it's simplest to focus on them.
Dogs are wonderful for the off-campus student with a little extra time, since dogs generally require more training and time investment than cats. They're also not shy about waking their owners up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom in the cold outdoors.
But dogs' loyalty, friendliness and undying affection are what make up for their greater time requirement.
Cats, on the other hand, are excellent for the student with a somewhat busier lifestyle. Cats don't need to be taken out several times a day and are mostly content to find an elevated perch from which to look down upon the rest of the world. And although cats are famously aloof and carry the smelly duty of litterbox maintenance, they're often very entertaining as they turn everyday objects into playthings and props for adventure.
The cost of owning any pet is a major concern, especially for students on a limited budget. Animals require rabies shots, cleanup materials, tags, collars, food bowls and, of course, toys - not to mention food. Adoption and initial veterinary fees exceeded $65 when I adopted my cat, but I was given a voucher for a free spay or neuter by the good folks at my local animal shelter.
Another very important consideration is the additional security deposit required by many landlords to accept a dog or cat, which in my case tacked on an extra non-refundable $100.
No matter what sort of animal you choose, remember it is absolutely imperative to follow the immortal wisdom of Bob Barker and "have your pet spayed or neutered."
It's the best way to help keep the stray-animal population in check, and it is the mark of a truly responsible pet owner.
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