Tru-Cost of Adopting a Pet
"Take time and think it through. Pets aren't for everyone, unfortunately."
-Missy Decker, Humane Society
Ben Chaney is a senior Physics Major at Truman State University and proud owner of his dog, Smokey. Chaney and Smokey have been in each other’s lives for a little over a year. While coming home to a fluffy companion may be nice, playing with the animal is not the only thing in the job description.
“Sometimes I just want to put her in her kennel and just not have to deal with her,” said Chaney. Many students may have this thought process. Chaney warns potential pet owners of the time commitment involved with this decision.
The upkeep of Smokey can be a little daunting, as with any pet. Chaney spends about $30 a month on dog food alone, but he estimates with vet expenses and damages she has caused, the total so far is around $500-800. Adopting a pet includes shots, a kennel, a leash and collar, and the any pet-related damages. It can really start to add up.
​
Another factor is whether or not there is a fee included in rent. For example, Heritage House Rentals LLC charges an extra $50 a month for pets, and one may only house one. This is the average around Kirksville, but some agencies like Kirksville Apartment Rental Inc. do not allow pets at all. Before choosing to adopt a pet, make sure to know the costs and restrictions that you might face.
Owning a pet outside of school can also be tough, as testified by Kirksville resident Pam Ouyang, who claims to spend about $200 a month on her cat and dog. However, she admittedly doesn't think of the costs too often. To Ouyang, loving, and taking care of an abused animal is one of the best actions a person can take.
While there may be disadvantages to owning a pet, there are certainly advantages to pet care, too. It is difficult to determine the “perfect” time to rescue an animal, but usually people agree that financial, housing, and relational stability are requirements to making a responsible decision to adopt a pet. Typically students don’t meet those requirements while they are still in school. One option that is sometimes overlooked among college students is fostering an animal, which can be done through Field of Dreams here in Kirksville.
Katy Fine-Newman, President of Field of Dreams, considers fostering an animal the ideal choice for college students.
​
“The animals come fully vetted and ready to adopt, along with house training, crate training, and socialization with others; humans and other animals alike.”
​
Fostering may be an enticing choice for college students, for according to the Fine-Newman, there is no financial obligation that goes with it. The agency pays for the food and upkeep of the animal, so the main job of the foster family is providing love and nurture.
​
“What we do with Truman and ATSU students is fostering,” said Fine-Newman. “This is for people who want companionship, but not the commitment.”
Another popular option for acquiring a pet is rescuing it from a shelter. The Humane Society located near Kirksville gives residents the chance to rescue. Animals rescued from a shelter come with a few of the things required for taking care of an animal, such as booster shots, deworming, and rabies shots upon adoption.
​
Missy Decker, the manager at The Human Society, gives advice to students considering adopting an animal.
​
“Take time and think it through. Pets aren’t for everybody, unfortunately,” said Missy Decker. “This is a 15-year commitment at least.”
​
When Decker was asked about whether or not students return animals more than families, she argued in favor of the students. Something she noticed with families who come with a younger child is that it is hard for the parent to say no when their little boy or girl is awestruck with an animal. College students on the other hand, Decker speculated, can be a little more reliable since most have to answer to their parents, roommates, or significant others before making such a big decision. This can force them to stop and think about their decisions before they can adopt any animals.
Ben Chaney, a student at Truman State University with his dog, Smokey.
Pam Ouyang playing with her rescued dog.
A dog jumps up from his cage in the animal shelter.
A cat snuggles up in its cage from the animal shelter to take a nap.