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Monday, June 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Students and their fluffy friends
College life means long study hours, money issues, and lots of parties, and in many cases, this type of lifestyle is not appropriate for a pet.
Loyalist residence doesn’t allow for students to keep pets, but students living off campus have been known to invest in a little Fido for their new home. Why wouldn’t you want a pet? Some kibble and a pat on the head is all they require in exchange for unconditional love. It’s certainly less work then having a boyfriend or girlfriend. And who doesn’t like coming home to a cute little face waiting for you at the door?
Unfortunately, it is not always that simple. First, you need to consider where you’re staying and who you’re staying with. Many people who rent to students have restrictions on if you’re allowed to have a pet and what kind of pets your allowed.
Many apartments do not allow their tenants to have pets, and property owners may be concerned about the animal causing damage to the walls or floors.
Once you have determined what your land lord allows you need to consider who your living with. If you are living with other students or are sharing a home the Quinte Humane Society requires to have all students and the landlord to fill out an application form stating that they all take responsibility for the animal.
“We have a lot of students come here,” said Lisa McConnell, kennel attendant and volunteer coordinator at the Quinte Humane Society. “You need to decide who is going to have the pet when you go home. Who is going to look after it in the summer time?” said McConnell.
This is necessary for student homes where four or five people share the pet. If one owner is not determined from the start many people or no one might want the pet after the school year over, said McConnell.
Although the Quinte Humane Society allows students to adopt pets, McConnell does not recommend buying a dog.
Suite101.com suggests college students ask themselves a few questions before jumping into pet ownership. Among the things to consider, Suite101.com suggests students consider the affordability, the amount of time you’re willing to give up to care for the animal and if you have the appropriate space for the animal.
According to suite101.com “To be a responsible pet owner, you need to spend a decent amount of money at the pet store and the veterinarian’s office.”
According to McConnell, cat food can cost about $20 a month and dog food can cost around $30 a month. Along with food the animal will need to be licensed, spayed or neutered, cats will need cat litter, and cats and dogs will need toys to keep them happy.
Sierra Daley lives at home while she goes to school and shares two cats with her family.
“They were strays that we found out back that eventually made their way into our home.”
The cats are only a few months old, but because they have already cost a lot of money.
“The majority of the money we’ve had to spend went to cleaning them up so we could bring them inside for the winter.”
The cat’s have lived inside Daley’s house for three months and have already needed flee medication, de-worming medication, ear drops, booster shots, and nail trimmers.
“They also needed toys and collars, and spaying and neutering,” said Daley. “We have a boy and a girl, and don’t want any more, so we had to get them fixed.”
Daley doesn’t have to pay most of the expenses herself because she shares them with her parents.
“I buy a few things for them to play with, but the money is worth it.” Says Daley. “They make me happy. They are always running around and trying to pounce on each other.”
If you have a, fish, or a reptile, they might not take much time, but they can require additional expenses such as heating lamps, tanks, and tank accessories and cleaning products.
Being a college student could also take a lot of time. Not only do you have class time, but there is also homework, late night study sessions, and of course the parties and pub nights. Pets, especially dogs are time consuming. You need to consider if you have time to walk the dog, bathe, groom and train the dog? If you have a dog or parrot they require extensive amounts of attention and enjoy environments where people are around frequently. Cats, fish, and reptiles are less time consuming, and would be better suited if you will be spending a lot of time away from home. Even cats and tank animals require cleaning and some tending. If you are determined you want a pet of your own, wait until you know your class schedule and the demands of your program before you decide what type of pet is best suited for your lifestyle.
Tara Huggins a Child and Youth Worker student at the college owns a Miniature Dachshund named Olana. The puppy was three months old when she took her home, just before classes started in September.
“My landlady doesn’t allow her tenants to have animals because we share the house with her.” Said Huggins. “My mom takes care of Olana during the week while I go to school, and I go home on the weekend to see her.”
Huggins says it’s hard to spend so much time away from a new pet but enjoys her weekends at home with the puppy.
“It’s a big expense,” says Huggins. “After veterinary costs I spend between $80 and $100 a month for food and toys for her.”
Huggins says her mom helps a lot with her care, and even though she would like to have the dog with her she knows she wouldn’t be around enough to give her the attention she needs.
“She has so much energy. She loves to run around and play, and it wouldn’t be fair to keep her in my room all day.”
It is possible to own a pet and go to college but you need to consider your situation. If you will not be able to supply the pet with everything it needs to be healthy and happy it would be more fair to the animal to wait a few years. College is a major expense, and so is owning an animal, if you can’t afford both, don’t try to fit both into your budget.
McConnell suggests volunteering at a shelter or kennel as an alternative to owning a pet. This would allow the student to care for, feed and walk animals without the additional responsibilities that come with owning a pet.
Loyalist residence doesn’t allow for students to keep pets, but students living off campus have been known to invest in a little Fido for their new home. Why wouldn’t you want a pet? Some kibble and a pat on the head is all they require in exchange for unconditional love. It’s certainly less work then having a boyfriend or girlfriend. And who doesn’t like coming home to a cute little face waiting for you at the door?
Unfortunately, it is not always that simple. First, you need to consider where you’re staying and who you’re staying with. Many people who rent to students have restrictions on if you’re allowed to have a pet and what kind of pets your allowed.
Many apartments do not allow their tenants to have pets, and property owners may be concerned about the animal causing damage to the walls or floors.
Once you have determined what your land lord allows you need to consider who your living with. If you are living with other students or are sharing a home the Quinte Humane Society requires to have all students and the landlord to fill out an application form stating that they all take responsibility for the animal.
“We have a lot of students come here,” said Lisa McConnell, kennel attendant and volunteer coordinator at the Quinte Humane Society. “You need to decide who is going to have the pet when you go home. Who is going to look after it in the summer time?” said McConnell.
This is necessary for student homes where four or five people share the pet. If one owner is not determined from the start many people or no one might want the pet after the school year over, said McConnell.
Although the Quinte Humane Society allows students to adopt pets, McConnell does not recommend buying a dog.
Suite101.com suggests college students ask themselves a few questions before jumping into pet ownership. Among the things to consider, Suite101.com suggests students consider the affordability, the amount of time you’re willing to give up to care for the animal and if you have the appropriate space for the animal.
According to suite101.com “To be a responsible pet owner, you need to spend a decent amount of money at the pet store and the veterinarian’s office.”
According to McConnell, cat food can cost about $20 a month and dog food can cost around $30 a month. Along with food the animal will need to be licensed, spayed or neutered, cats will need cat litter, and cats and dogs will need toys to keep them happy.
Sierra Daley lives at home while she goes to school and shares two cats with her family.
“They were strays that we found out back that eventually made their way into our home.”
The cats are only a few months old, but because they have already cost a lot of money.
“The majority of the money we’ve had to spend went to cleaning them up so we could bring them inside for the winter.”
The cat’s have lived inside Daley’s house for three months and have already needed flee medication, de-worming medication, ear drops, booster shots, and nail trimmers.
“They also needed toys and collars, and spaying and neutering,” said Daley. “We have a boy and a girl, and don’t want any more, so we had to get them fixed.”
Daley doesn’t have to pay most of the expenses herself because she shares them with her parents.
“I buy a few things for them to play with, but the money is worth it.” Says Daley. “They make me happy. They are always running around and trying to pounce on each other.”
If you have a, fish, or a reptile, they might not take much time, but they can require additional expenses such as heating lamps, tanks, and tank accessories and cleaning products.
Being a college student could also take a lot of time. Not only do you have class time, but there is also homework, late night study sessions, and of course the parties and pub nights. Pets, especially dogs are time consuming. You need to consider if you have time to walk the dog, bathe, groom and train the dog? If you have a dog or parrot they require extensive amounts of attention and enjoy environments where people are around frequently. Cats, fish, and reptiles are less time consuming, and would be better suited if you will be spending a lot of time away from home. Even cats and tank animals require cleaning and some tending. If you are determined you want a pet of your own, wait until you know your class schedule and the demands of your program before you decide what type of pet is best suited for your lifestyle.
Tara Huggins a Child and Youth Worker student at the college owns a Miniature Dachshund named Olana. The puppy was three months old when she took her home, just before classes started in September.
“My landlady doesn’t allow her tenants to have animals because we share the house with her.” Said Huggins. “My mom takes care of Olana during the week while I go to school, and I go home on the weekend to see her.”
Huggins says it’s hard to spend so much time away from a new pet but enjoys her weekends at home with the puppy.
“It’s a big expense,” says Huggins. “After veterinary costs I spend between $80 and $100 a month for food and toys for her.”
Huggins says her mom helps a lot with her care, and even though she would like to have the dog with her she knows she wouldn’t be around enough to give her the attention she needs.
“She has so much energy. She loves to run around and play, and it wouldn’t be fair to keep her in my room all day.”
It is possible to own a pet and go to college but you need to consider your situation. If you will not be able to supply the pet with everything it needs to be healthy and happy it would be more fair to the animal to wait a few years. College is a major expense, and so is owning an animal, if you can’t afford both, don’t try to fit both into your budget.
McConnell suggests volunteering at a shelter or kennel as an alternative to owning a pet. This would allow the student to care for, feed and walk animals without the additional responsibilities that come with owning a pet.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Brought in from the cold
The striped one is asleep on top of the couch while the white one gets ready to pounce.
Soon they both will be chasing each other around the house, leaping and sliding on the wood floors.
Both cats have come a long way since my landlord first found them hiding under the old boat in the backyard last summer. The kittens and their mother were little more than fur and bones.
Almost immediately, bowls of baby animal mush and warm milk were being left outside for them to
eat. The mush soon became left over steak or hotdogs.
My landlady insisted “those cats will never be coming in this house! No way!”
Despite all the complaining, she always made sure those kittens were fed.
When it started to get cold, a house was built for them in the shed. The door was left cracked and a heat lamp and some blankets were left to keep them warm.
When winter hit the kittens got their shots and were brought inside. Their mother was sent off to a farm to live with other barn cats.
So much for the cats never coming inside!
Since those kittens were first seen it was made sure that they would never go hungry again. They have come a long way over the last few months and almost tripled in size.
It is unfortunate that more people don’t feel about animals the way my landlords do. Not everyone needs to go to the same extent, but it does not take much to call a shelter or find a home for a stray or lost animal.
If more people were like my landlords the world would truly be a better place.
Soon they both will be chasing each other around the house, leaping and sliding on the wood floors.
Both cats have come a long way since my landlord first found them hiding under the old boat in the backyard last summer. The kittens and their mother were little more than fur and bones.
Almost immediately, bowls of baby animal mush and warm milk were being left outside for them to
eat. The mush soon became left over steak or hotdogs.My landlady insisted “those cats will never be coming in this house! No way!”
Despite all the complaining, she always made sure those kittens were fed.
When it started to get cold, a house was built for them in the shed. The door was left cracked and a heat lamp and some blankets were left to keep them warm.
When winter hit the kittens got their shots and were brought inside. Their mother was sent off to a farm to live with other barn cats.
So much for the cats never coming inside!
Since those kittens were first seen it was made sure that they would never go hungry again. They have come a long way over the last few months and almost tripled in size.
It is unfortunate that more people don’t feel about animals the way my landlords do. Not everyone needs to go to the same extent, but it does not take much to call a shelter or find a home for a stray or lost animal.
If more people were like my landlords the world would truly be a better place.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Avoiding the big and small
The Hearld Sun recently posted an article about two baby wombats that were rescued after their mothers were hit by vehicles.
It was great to read that the animals were now in a place where people were offering them the care they needed. What the article did not elaborate on was the number of animals killed by motor vehicle accidents or how to prevent this from happening.
Personally, the thought of hitting an animal sounds traumatic. To date, no animals, large or small have met the bumper or wheels of my little vehicle.
According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, there are 4-8 large animal vehicle collisions every hour in Canada.
You do not need stats to see that animals’ being hit by vehicles is a problem. Take a look out your window next time you’re driving down the highway. You will probably see a few raccoons, maybe an opossum, sometimes a fox or even a deer. The numbers increase as you move into the country.
No normal person wants to hit an animal when they are driving but swerving or slamming on the breaks is not always an option.
So what can a driver do to prevent such an unfortunate meeting?
After doing some research it’s become apparent that deer whistles are not the way to go. Numerous reports stated they are ineffective for a variety of different reasons. These reasons stated everything from the whistles not being loud enough to the whistles not being effective at any sound level.
The tips that were consistant were simple, but still cannot guarantee that you will have a road kill free driving record.
The tips included things like:
Driving with your high beams on when possible
Minimize night driving when possible
Drive the speed limit
If you see a deer slow down. Deer travel in groups and it’s likely there will be more.
If a bird is flying at your car do not stop. The bird will likely use the air lift from your car to avoid hitting you
If you see a ball, Frisbee, enter the road look for animals as well as children
If you see bumps in the road consider that it may be an animal like an armadillo, opossum or turtle
There were many different tips for avoiding animals but almost all of the sites encouraged drivers NOT to swerve or slam on the breaks. Ultimately, this could potentially more damage to you or any vehicles around you.
And if you do see road kill it’s good to inform animal services or get them to direct you to someone who deals with these issues. Road kill can attract other animals that eat carrion causing more animals to be on the road.
It was great to read that the animals were now in a place where people were offering them the care they needed. What the article did not elaborate on was the number of animals killed by motor vehicle accidents or how to prevent this from happening.
Personally, the thought of hitting an animal sounds traumatic. To date, no animals, large or small have met the bumper or wheels of my little vehicle.
According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, there are 4-8 large animal vehicle collisions every hour in Canada.
You do not need stats to see that animals’ being hit by vehicles is a problem. Take a look out your window next time you’re driving down the highway. You will probably see a few raccoons, maybe an opossum, sometimes a fox or even a deer. The numbers increase as you move into the country.
No normal person wants to hit an animal when they are driving but swerving or slamming on the breaks is not always an option.
So what can a driver do to prevent such an unfortunate meeting?
After doing some research it’s become apparent that deer whistles are not the way to go. Numerous reports stated they are ineffective for a variety of different reasons. These reasons stated everything from the whistles not being loud enough to the whistles not being effective at any sound level.
The tips that were consistant were simple, but still cannot guarantee that you will have a road kill free driving record.
The tips included things like:
Driving with your high beams on when possible
Minimize night driving when possible
Drive the speed limit
If you see a deer slow down. Deer travel in groups and it’s likely there will be more.
If a bird is flying at your car do not stop. The bird will likely use the air lift from your car to avoid hitting you
If you see a ball, Frisbee, enter the road look for animals as well as children
If you see bumps in the road consider that it may be an animal like an armadillo, opossum or turtle
There were many different tips for avoiding animals but almost all of the sites encouraged drivers NOT to swerve or slam on the breaks. Ultimately, this could potentially more damage to you or any vehicles around you.
And if you do see road kill it’s good to inform animal services or get them to direct you to someone who deals with these issues. Road kill can attract other animals that eat carrion causing more animals to be on the road.
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