Has anyone tried having a pet (cat) in an off-campus apartment? I know they are not officially allowed, but there is only a super in the building, and it would be pretty difficult for UAH to find out. If they do find out, would we be asked to remove the pet or to vacate the apartment?
Depends on the lease and the management. You could be asked to get rid of the cat and then what would you do? In addition, do you have money to pay for vet bills if your cat gets sick? Even routine care runs into the hundreds of dollars per year and if the cat gets sick it can be much higher. And what will you do with the cat when you graduate? You probably don’t know where you will be or what you will be doing at that point and chances are, a cat will not work. Do not get a cat- it’s not fair to any animal to take it on when you can’t make a long term commitment.
Do not make too many assumptions- it’s not fair to anyone when you base it on three lines of a (pseudo)-anonymous internet forum post.
I’m going to be here for another four years finishing my PhD. I have friends in New Jersey who would be willing to take another cat (and care for it if I need to travel) - I’ve already asked. The UAH subsidies for graduate students are saving me roughly $12k/year compared to any other apartment in NYC, so I’m sure some of that can go to caring for the cat. Even if they won’t return my $1.6k security deposit it’s still worth it relative to anywhere else, so I’m only worried about being asked to leave on short notice…
I’m not sure if you can just bring it, but if you can get a mental health professional to testify that the cat is an “assistance animal” that “provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms
or effects of a person’s disability.” This way you don’t have to worry for the cat’s safety in the case that you are discovered.
(As per these guidelines https://health.columbia.edu/system/files/content/healthpdfs/DS/Disability_AnimalPolicy.pdf)
I know there were dogs in Hartley Hall last year because of this policy. Take a look, it could work for you.
Though unfortunately, I now see that the deadline for approval was June 1st for the Fall semester. Better that you wait until the following semester to get all the paperwork in line if you do in fact go this route. Unless you have a cat already waiting on you, it seems like the best bet. Good luck!