For most college students, thinking beyond this semester’s finals — let alone 12 years — is enough to break into a sweat. However, 12 years is the average life expectancy for dogs who need forever homes. College students should not adopt a dog until they are ready to take on the time and financial commitments a dog needs.
Before adopting a dog, students need to do some soul-searching and determine why they want a pet. If they are envisioning endless nights snuggled on the couch watching Netflix with their trusted, faithful companion, paired with runs in the park and meme-worthy Instagram photos, they will likely get all of that and more from their new friend.
However, a dog will require serious commitment. When focused on running from class to class, students will also have to make time to take the dog outside. While friends are late-night partying, you will have to go home early because the dog cannot be left alone for extended periods of time.
Dogs also require training because, for at least two years, they still have puppy-like tendencies. Puppies will chew everything in sight, including that $500 textbook, AirPods and car keys. Potty training a puppy in college will take up as much time, if not more, than studying for finals, tests or working on projects. The puppy will have to be taken out at least every hour with all attention devoted to them.
Even if early mornings and nights do not sound that bad, finances can be crippling for students working part-time, or even full time. Even if the adoption fee is waived or low to begin with, expenses can add up quickly.
Kate Jaffe, a writer for Rover, explained that people pay an average of around $1,487 in adoption fees, apartment deposit fees, vaccines, supplies and more even before bringing their new pet home. Reoccurring annual expenses average at around $2,566 per year, including money for annual veterinary exams, food, toys, treats and medicine to prevent heartworms, fleas and ticks.
Senior dogs may also need certain monthly medicines and extra vet care. Other unaccounted expenses include training, emergency vet bills, pet-sitting expenses, licenses or even grooming expenses. While most pet owners think the monthly expense of owning a dog should cost between $25-75 a month, the average is more than triple that amount, according to Rover.
WTOP News in Washington reported that “nearly 25 percent of [AICPA survey] respondents admitted the cost of pet ownership was more than what they initially expected.” It turns out, your new best friend cannot survive on puppuccinos after all.
Owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but if a student is not ready to make a 12-year commitment, amend their budget and adapt their entire schedule, it is absolutely necessary to wait. Volunteer your time at a rescue or animal shelter instead and wait to adopt until you are financially stable.
