Hello
I am from California and will be attending a school in Upstate New York next year. I have no idea what to do with my cat. My parents are moving a couple months before I leave and no longer want the cat (I took care of him). I love this cat, but have no idea what to do. Dorms have strict policies against animals. Any of you run into similar problems?
Thank you
Any friends or family who would take him in?
Last resort – surrender him to a no-kill animal shelter?
First approach should be give your parents hell about it. Keeping him there is the ideal situation. Otherwise not all schools require freshmen to live in the dorms, look into this. You could make a deal with your parents he stays with them for one year then comes with you when you move off campus after the first year. One thing a lot of people do is to purchase a house/condo and sell it when they graduate, also an option.
Worst case scenario- as a pet owner myself I’d rather break a few stupid dorm rules and have a secret cat than give him to a shelter, kill or not, pets are family.
Sure. But sometimes life gets in the way. I volunteer at a shelter. Our animals are better cared for than some people’s pets – OR family.
You can’t force a roommate to harbor a secret cat. They deserve to not have to live with a litter box or the knowledge that they could get in trouble.
@bodangles- what you are taking issue with is my doomsday scenario suggestion. Personally, I would trade the potential ire of a roommate and the dorm administrators for the well being of an animal if all other options were exhausted.
See if you can get it designated as an emotional support animal?
See if any other family members pr neighbors would be willing to take care of it while you are at school?
Do you have a Town FB group? Ask there is any one would be willing to do a long term Foster.
Do you have the app “NextDoor”? This is an app that you can post things to people in your neighborhood.
I mean, you took issue with mine.
And if OP’s family is indifferent enough for this even to be an issue, then it doesn’t sound like they consider the cat “family” at all, and doomsday may be the way this is going to go.
OP cannot, I repeat, CANNOT hide the cat in the dorm if they are living with someone else. They will get kicked out of housing or have to get rid of the cat anyway – and on much shorter notice. You CANNOT move in and say, “Hello roommate, I brought along this unallowed pet that might scratch up your stuff and pee on things. You’re now partially responsible for its well-being and the smell of the litter box so we don’t get caught. Thanks!”
^ As a person who is allergic enough to cats to make it uncomfortable to live with, the “doomsday” scenario is not a great one. If my roommate brought a cat that they wanted to keep secret I’d be requiring them to 1. Buy me allergy medication and 2. Pay for any/all damage to my belongings that the cat causes. I’d probably try to draw it up in a written format so I have a point of reference. I don’t mean to sound like a jerk, because I hate the idea of animals going back to the pound when they have what seems like a very loving owner, but I wouldn’t let an animal that’s not mine impede my studies.
It’s pretty selfish to break dorm rules and bring in a pet cat. It’s also pretty irresponsible. You’re putting your roommate in a precarious situation in addition to yourself…risking getting yourself kicked out of the dorm because of the cat.
Turn the cat over to a no-kill shelter and the no-kill shelter will find the cat a good home. That’s where our family has gotten all of our cats and it’s worked out pretty well.
Agree with @philbegas As one who is super allergic to cats (causes me problems breathing, eyes to get red and swell up etc.) it would be absolutely irresponsible to try to “hide” a cat in a dorm room. And there is no doubt in my mind that the cat would be found quickly. I think the only choice is to try to find a friend/family member to take the cat or worst case bring the cat to a no-kill shelter.
Is there any chance that you can live off campus in an apartment that allows pets instead of in a dorm?
I am planning on getting a single dorm. I was considering attempting to hide him, however, he is an outdoor cat, and likes going outside in the morning. My mom is a clean freak and hates him bringing in dirt.
You knew about your cat and your mother’s lack of involvement prior to applying to schools. You should have looked at pet friendly schools. Are you certain that you as a freshman can get a single dorm? What are the penalties for a flagrant violation of dorm rules as stated in a contract that you will sign? If this is an indoor/outdoor cat, make arrangements to give him to someone that will offer him a loving forever home.