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View Full Version : Hello and cats at college...


TCF11220
02-25-2004, 06:27 PM
Hi. My name is Amira. I'm 19 and I'm very fond of cats.
I have to start college in the fall and I am planning on going to the Southwest. I live in Pennsylvania, so it's a bit of a distance and I really don't want to leave my cat, Lucia, at home. Does anyone know of any schools in that area that allow cats in the dorms? I've spent many hours searching and I just can't find anything. I don't understand why an animal such as a cat is a problem for residence halls. If anything, an animal like a cat would make an excellent low maitenence companion for a college student. It would raise overall moral and mental health of the student, as opposed to a small fish that provides almost no interaction to the student. You cannot hold or pet a fish. A fish will not give you affection. Albeit there is potential for problems to arise, but if steps are taking prior to allowing a cat into a dorm, the chance for conflict is minimal. I could and have continued with this topic for quite some time, but I won't subject you to that unless you ask me to. Basically my cat is declawed, spayed, litter box trained, quiet, and well behaved. She is up to date with all of her shots, she has no fleas, and she gets along very well with other animals. There is no reason, aside from a very popular set of rigid and unfounded rules(that I could reasonbly dispute for hours), that she should not accompany me.

originalfatc
02-25-2004, 07:22 PM
lol, Hi, welcome.

I don't think you have to sell us!

TCF11220
02-25-2004, 07:47 PM
eh.. hehe.. well wasn't really.. i'm just so frustrated over this.. i spent about 5 hours in front of the computer today alone looking for something... =/.. i just needed some place to vent where the people would understand. everyone else just thinks its funny... to me its like leaving behind my child..

Jenny
02-25-2004, 09:17 PM
I know exactly how you feel! I've got about two more years up my sleeve before I go to college, but I have five birds who I'm extremely fond of & I dread the day I have to leave them. Is there a way for you to find other cat-loving college people and maybe rent a small apartment or something together, that way you could probably bring your kitties with you? I can't say I've spent hours agonizing over this, but it's probably a good idea not to allow cats in dorms. If one person's able to, everyone's going to want to, and some people are allergic, and then other people will want to start bringing small dogs, then little bit bigger dogs, then....half of the dorms are zoos and smelling like litter boxes and half of the people in the dorms who aren't so critter friendly are complaining. Just my reasoning. But I hope you do come to the perfect solution! Your cat is beautiful and I'm sure she'll be unhappy too if you leave her.

Squawksx3
02-25-2004, 11:24 PM
Hi Amira and welcome :)

Lucia is adorable. Have you tried looking for places with rooms to rent?. We have a couple of colleges in our area and people who own homes around them rent out rooms to college students. Just be very careful.. there are some real nuts out there. Best of luck to you.

TCF11220
02-26-2004, 11:18 AM
Hey Jenny and Squawks...
I know what you mean about people not enjoying the animals. But for example, when MIT allowed cats in a dorm or 2 they had strict rules about it. For example, everyone in the hall has to agree to the animal living there. They had separate dorms for those with animals. And any animal, such as a dog, that could not use a litter box would not be allowed. As for the smell of the litter box. I suppose if it's cleaned regularly it would not be a problem. Lucia's litter box is in my bedroom and has been there for nearly a year now.

As for the renting a place, would be out of the question. I have so many costs to worry about as it is, and with my parents not really helping me on this, I don't really have a choice but to dorm. They include the dorming costs in with all the tuition costs and what not, most of which to be paid when I graduate. But rent wouldn't be included in that. Thanks for the idea though..