Although many college students love being away from home, there’s often some aspect of it they miss.
Sometimes that aspect is four-legged and furry.
University policy prohibits any pets, other than fish, to live in the residence halls - but not all students play by the rules.
Stephanie, a West Circle Complex resident and studio art junior, has kept her hamster, Peanut, with her in the dorms since her freshman year at MSU.
She said she ran into trouble at first, but the supervisor of her hall at the time said they couldn’t make her get rid of her pet.
“I’m not sure if the RA this year knows, but if she does, she doesn‘t say anything about it,” she said. “Most people really like Peanut.”
Angela Brown, director of University Housing, said pets are not allowed because of safety, health and sanitation concerns.
“I know many students would prefer to have their pets with them,” she said. “But because of the living situation and the fact the halls were not designed to accommodate pets, a university is not a good place for a pet to live.”
Brown said students found with illegal pets would be asked to immediately remove their pet.
MSU’s policy is not unusual. Many colleges and universities nationwide share it, including the University of Michigan.
Alan Levy, director of housing public affairs at U-M, said for two years, fish have been permitted in a maximum 12-gallon tank.
Levy said if a student living in the dorms is found with a pet other than a non-flesh-eating fish, the student is required to remove the animal and may be subject to discipline under the terms of the residence hall contract.
But at MSU, pets larger than hamsters have made their way into dorm rooms.
Psychology senior Andrea Gilbert kept a cat, Chloe, in her room during fall semester 2000.
Gilbert said no one with the authority to take the cat away found out about it because she always kept her door closed.
“We always had to leave the radio on really loud during the day because she howls when she gets lonely,” she said.
“I really liked having my cat there. It was nice to have a little bit of home at school. Pets are comforting.”
Gilbert sent Chloe home when her neighbor and some friends found they were allergic to it.
But even for those who manage to keep their pet secret, Mary Kraus, a veterinarian from East Lansing’s Abbott Road Animal Clinic, 6180 Abbott Road, said it’s not a good idea.
Besides the potential of allergic reactions, housing pets in dorm rooms may not be best for the pet’s health either, Kraus said.
“There isn’t a lot of room,” she said. “And it is difficult for students, as busy as they are, to give a pet proper exercise and it can be a financial burden.”
