<p>I know that UF only allows certain types of pets, not including cats, but how strict is this policy? Would it be possible for me and my roommate to have a cat in our Hume dorm anyway?</p>
<p>No. Maintenance people randomly come to your door and so will your RA. Imagine opening your door so your A/C can get looked at and the cat makes a break for it. It’s definitely not worth it.</p>
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<p>Very strict. You might have it for sometime, but someone will eventually find out. RA fire safety checks, maintenance changing they AC filter, and other residents telling on you.</p>
<p>I beg you, do not get a cat or any other pet. I am a faculty member at USF and we have a huge problem on my campus with cats who were adopted by students and then abandoned by students leaving. Unfortunately, the cats breed and now we have a feral cat population. It’s very sad. I suspect that UF has the same problem. Wait until you graduate and live on your own before you decide to become a pet owner.</p>
<p>I’m a student at USF and see a few cats outside my dorm and around campus everyday. I agree pets don’t belong in the dorms, but surprisingly the feral cats walking around campus serve a useful purpose as described in following USF Oracle newspaper article. The cats don’t bother me. When coyotes start showing up on campus chasing the cats for snacks–I will be bothered.</p>
<p>[The</a> Oracle - Feral cats on campus have reason to be there](<a href=“http://www.usforacle.com/2.6025/feral-cats-on-campus-have-reason-to-be-there-1.625471]The”>http://www.usforacle.com/2.6025/feral-cats-on-campus-have-reason-to-be-there-1.625471)</p>
<p>I implore you not to bring a cat. I too am a student at USF and have witnessed these adopted cats roaming the campus. I have also seen them breed and form a rogue feral cat population. This hoard of feral cats now represents a threat to the general student population.</p>
<p>In fact, last year my friend Ryan was attacked by a rabid feral cat and nearly died of rabies.</p>
<p>Please, for the safety of the campus do not bring the cat.</p>
<p>Double post :-(</p>
<p>Sorry to hear what happened to your friend. If he was attacked on campus, one of the “bad” cats got him. Don’t know if you read above Oracle article link. Apparently there are "good’ security/spayed-neutered cats and “bad” unhealthy breeding cats on campus. I’m okay with the good cats guarding the campus.</p>
<p>I have been at USF for 20 years and have watched the feral cat population grow. The “good” cats are only neutered and disease free through the generous donations of STAFF at USF who collect money to treat and feed them. Most of the cats that roam around campuis have feline leukemia and are feral. Don’t kid yourself that it;s OK to get a cat and let it go and it will automatically be one of yje good cats. USF would be just fine with no stray cats on campus.</p>
<p>It would be impossible to keep a cat in your room. Someone would be bound to notice, and as soon as you did you would be in serious trouble. If you’re that set on getting a pet, look into a rabbit - although, personally, I would urge against getting any pet at all.</p>
<p>If you are determined to have a cat, due to the surplus of apartments in Gainesville, some are turning “pet friendly”. The Estates is very nice and recently turned pet friendly.</p>