Keeping Pets at University?
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CosmicStorm
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#1
I was just wondering whether anyone has taken a pet with them to university, whether in halls or not (Even whether they're allowed or have kept it in secret!)?
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
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Zebadee321
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#2
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#2
I am interested in this also.
Not that it applies to me. Just curious.
I chose my university around my dog.
Not that it applies to me. Just curious.
I chose my university around my dog.
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arfah
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#3
I want to know as well since I'd like to take my pet bunny with me. Any bunny hiding tips pls tell me anyone.
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CosmicStorm
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#4
(Original post by Zebadee321)
I am interested in this also.
Not that it applies to me. Just curious.
I chose my university around my dog.
I am interested in this also.
Not that it applies to me. Just curious.
I chose my university around my dog.
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Zebadee321
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#5
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#5
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
Are you attending university close to home so you can be near your dog, or did you find a way of taking your dog with you? (I'm getting confused - long day!)
Are you attending university close to home so you can be near your dog, or did you find a way of taking your dog with you? (I'm getting confused - long day!)
I have lived with my grandparents for 4 years before that I was in care for a couple of years. There isn't a university close to my grandparents which did my course.
I moved in with my mother and her family at the beginning of summer and I am going to their local uni. I compromised, I don't really want to live with my mother but I had no other option if I wanted to go to uni.
My situation is complicated though. Bit different than sneaking a fish in.

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abc:)
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#6
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#6
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
I was just wondering whether anyone has taken a pet with them to university, whether in halls or not (Even whether they're allowed or have kept it in secret!)?
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
I was just wondering whether anyone has taken a pet with them to university, whether in halls or not (Even whether they're allowed or have kept it in secret!)?
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
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CosmicStorm
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#7
(Original post by Zebadee321)
That really depends what you define as home.
I have lived with my grandparents for 4 years before that I was in care for a couple of years. There isn't a university close to my grandparents which did my course.
I moved in with my mother and her family at the beginning of summer and I am going to their local uni. I compromised, I don't really want to live with my mother but I had no other option if I wanted to go to uni.
My situation is complicated though. Bit different than sneaking a fish in.
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That really depends what you define as home.
I have lived with my grandparents for 4 years before that I was in care for a couple of years. There isn't a university close to my grandparents which did my course.
I moved in with my mother and her family at the beginning of summer and I am going to their local uni. I compromised, I don't really want to live with my mother but I had no other option if I wanted to go to uni.
My situation is complicated though. Bit different than sneaking a fish in.

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I'm going to be twenty this year, but because of a lot of anxiety problems etc. I didn't apply for university when I was in A-Level. Thinking that I'll go to uni in 2017 (a long time I know), because I paid for a load of holidays for next year (I've been working full-time for a software dev company) that I don't really want to miss at this point (one is around term start time in October) and I'm thinking I can spend the rest of the time in additional study if I need to.
I'm thinking taking my pet will put me more at ease when I go because I'll know he'll be being cared for, he's familiar, and I'll have familiar company (as silly as that sounds, I'm sure).
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CoolCavy
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#8
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#8
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university 
i don't know how i'm going to cope without them
surely there is a way to smuggle them in?.....




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CosmicStorm
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#9
(Original post by abc:))
You could probably take your snail and hide it when they do room checks. I wouldn't take anything bigger or any small mammals or anything mainly because moving them is really stressful to the animal and you're going to be in halls for one year, and another house for two years, before moving out again, it's a bit mean really.
You could probably take your snail and hide it when they do room checks. I wouldn't take anything bigger or any small mammals or anything mainly because moving them is really stressful to the animal and you're going to be in halls for one year, and another house for two years, before moving out again, it's a bit mean really.
I wasn't really thinking of taking my hamster with me, or obviously a cat or anything like that. My snail isn't likely to be too affected by travel as: it's a snail, and I take him between my different homes currently anyway.
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CosmicStorm
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#10
(Original post by CoolCavy)
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university
i don't know how i'm going to cope without them
surely there is a way to smuggle them in?.....
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university




Take lots of photographs with you though! :>
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CoolCavy
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#11
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#11
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
I used to keep four piggies, and I think they'd be really stressed if I had moved them around! As cavvies are quite nervous and easily startled animals anyway, it might be best to leave them at home.
Take lots of photographs with you though! :>
I used to keep four piggies, and I think they'd be really stressed if I had moved them around! As cavvies are quite nervous and easily startled animals anyway, it might be best to leave them at home.
Take lots of photographs with you though! :>

It was just wishful thinking bc i love them so much

Yes i will take a whole photo album with me of piggie snaps

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CosmicStorm
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#12
(Original post by CoolCavy)
Yeah i know im gonna have to leave them behind because it would be mean to stress them out especially because they are rescues and 1 of them is very nervous anyway because of her previous treatment
It was just wishful thinking bc i love them so much
Yes i will take a whole photo album with me of piggie snaps
Yeah i know im gonna have to leave them behind because it would be mean to stress them out especially because they are rescues and 1 of them is very nervous anyway because of her previous treatment

It was just wishful thinking bc i love them so much

Yes i will take a whole photo album with me of piggie snaps

I remember how lovely my piggies were so I can imagine why you love them so much. :>
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Zebadee321
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#13
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
Currently I live with my Dad, but I go and stay with my Mother every couple of weeks (She's not really in when I'm around though, but I don't mind because we don't really get on). When I was younger I used to stay with my grandparents a lot because my parents used to work more than care for us.
Currently I live with my Dad, but I go and stay with my Mother every couple of weeks (She's not really in when I'm around though, but I don't mind because we don't really get on). When I was younger I used to stay with my grandparents a lot because my parents used to work more than care for us.

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CosmicStorm
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#14
(Original post by Zebadee321)
I have anxiety too, getting a full time job fills me with more dread than uni so I am straight from college. I am also 20 this year(wow). I couldn't actually cope without my girl.
It's not silly, I get it, maybe more than some.
I have anxiety too, getting a full time job fills me with more dread than uni so I am straight from college. I am also 20 this year(wow). I couldn't actually cope without my girl.

And because at the time, my company only had 5 members of staff (inc. myself and my best friend), it made it a lot easier to build on my confidence as there were few people to focus on impressing and building a relationship with. They all fit into the reclusive developer stereotype though, so there wasn't a lot of pressure on me to build on my confidence and it's helped me a lot. Plus I don't work with any females, who I always had problems with at school, so it's made it easier for me I think because there isn't any *****ing.
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Zebadee321
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#15
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
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I just stopped going to school after year 8, didn't go back to a normal school ever again.
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kunoichi
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#16
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#16
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
I was just wondering whether anyone has taken a pet with them to university, whether in halls or not (Even whether they're allowed or have kept it in secret!)?
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
I was just wondering whether anyone has taken a pet with them to university, whether in halls or not (Even whether they're allowed or have kept it in secret!)?
If so, I was wondering:
- How was the experience? Were the people you lived with respectful of your pet?
- How easy is it to sneak in a pet secretly/hide it?
- Did you even need to hide your pet at a uni that disallowed pet-keeping?
- Any other general experience
I am speaking mostly in terms of things like fish, hamsters etc. Not cats/dogs.
--
Wondering also mainly because I own a Giant African Land Snail and am interested in bringing him to university with me when I decide to go (as an older student most-likely as currently working full-time after finishing A-Levels last year). I also have a hamster, but I'm more at ease about leaving her with family as she's not an exotic pet.
I only have pets because my bf and I are in our twenties and living in a flat together. I would not even consider it if I was in halls or a shared house where things were likely to get noisey or stressful for a pet.
If you are the type of student who parties a lot - will you be able to care for your pet in the mornings? Will it be safe when you, housemates, or any friends are drunk around it? If you are living somewhere like halls, it will regularly be noisy and extremely stressful to your pet. if you are living somewhere where you have to hide it under the bed etc this could again not be great for its stress levels either. If people find out, they may rat you out, especially if it isnt a cuddly type of pet. could you afford the loss of a deposit or fines should this happen?
Pets are great if you are the type of student who doesnt party that much and who have a bit of spare money and time (yes their food might be within your budget but could you afford an emergency vet bill alongside rent? Especially halls as they are expensive).
If you really want a pet then I recommend finding a relatively quiet shared house (maybe not first years) with locks on the bedroom doors and having a word with the landlord. Many landlords will be fine with something in a tank or a cage if you just ask. Also if you do go down the route of hiding it, a shared house would make this easier. No regular inspections or cleaners coming into your room and 24 hours notice if the landlord needs to visit. (I really cant see any private landlord objecting to your snail though)
Good luck, but whatever you do, dont become that guy who fried his hamster during freshers.

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kunoichi
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#17
(Original post by CoolCavy)
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university
i don't know how i'm going to cope without them
surely there is a way to smuggle them in?.....
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university




If you rent private you can either shop around for a landlord that will allow them in the back garden and/or a room that is huuuggge with room for decent cages. (Private landlords have to give 24 hours notice before coming in to your room and they only do that very rarely)
I moved into my flat from a house that had a lot of traffic and a fire station outside, the noise of which stresses them out so I hate to think how stressed they would get from halls.
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Minionmum
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#18
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#18
(Original post by CoolCavy)
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university
i don't know how i'm going to cope without them
surely there is a way to smuggle them in?.....
I'm trying not to think about leaving my piggies when i leave for university




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CosmicStorm
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#19
(Original post by kunoichi)
I'm in my second year and I have three guinea pigs. I live with my boyfriend and our landlord knows about them.
I only have pets because my bf and I are in our twenties and living in a flat together. I would not even consider it if I was in halls or a shared house where things were likely to get noisey or stressful for a pet.
If you are the type of student who parties a lot - will you be able to care for your pet in the mornings? Will it be safe when you, housemates, or any friends are drunk around it? If you are living somewhere like halls, it will regularly be noisy and extremely stressful to your pet. if you are living somewhere where you have to hide it under the bed etc this could again not be great for its stress levels either. If people find out, they may rat you out, especially if it isnt a cuddly type of pet. could you afford the loss of a deposit or fines should this happen?
Pets are great if you are the type of student who doesnt party that much and who have a bit of spare money and time (yes their food might be within your budget but could you afford an emergency vet bill alongside rent? Especially halls as they are expensive).
If you really want a pet then I recommend finding a relatively quiet shared house (maybe not first years) with locks on the bedroom doors and having a word with the landlord. Many landlords will be fine with something in a tank or a cage if you just ask. Also if you do go down the route of hiding it, a shared house would make this easier. No regular inspections or cleaners coming into your room and 24 hours notice if the landlord needs to visit. (I really cant see any private landlord objecting to your snail though)
Good luck, but whatever you do, dont become that guy who fried his hamster during freshers.
I'm in my second year and I have three guinea pigs. I live with my boyfriend and our landlord knows about them.
I only have pets because my bf and I are in our twenties and living in a flat together. I would not even consider it if I was in halls or a shared house where things were likely to get noisey or stressful for a pet.
If you are the type of student who parties a lot - will you be able to care for your pet in the mornings? Will it be safe when you, housemates, or any friends are drunk around it? If you are living somewhere like halls, it will regularly be noisy and extremely stressful to your pet. if you are living somewhere where you have to hide it under the bed etc this could again not be great for its stress levels either. If people find out, they may rat you out, especially if it isnt a cuddly type of pet. could you afford the loss of a deposit or fines should this happen?
Pets are great if you are the type of student who doesnt party that much and who have a bit of spare money and time (yes their food might be within your budget but could you afford an emergency vet bill alongside rent? Especially halls as they are expensive).
If you really want a pet then I recommend finding a relatively quiet shared house (maybe not first years) with locks on the bedroom doors and having a word with the landlord. Many landlords will be fine with something in a tank or a cage if you just ask. Also if you do go down the route of hiding it, a shared house would make this easier. No regular inspections or cleaners coming into your room and 24 hours notice if the landlord needs to visit. (I really cant see any private landlord objecting to your snail though)
Good luck, but whatever you do, dont become that guy who fried his hamster during freshers.

My pet isn't really sensitive of movement, only environmental changes such as cold, but I do have a heat mat to regulate temperatures in the colder months anyway. He moves between my homes every week with me and is fine.
And vets can't do anything for a Giant African Land snail, as if they're sick they usually lose weight and then die. They're not the kind of pet where vets really apply, it would be a bit like taking a goldfish to the vets, you have to sort of home-diagnose and treat accordingly.
I will be 21, almost 22, by the time I go to university, so my accommodation is not definite at this point, as I'm unsure as to whether I will just jump straight into private accommodation. Obviously I would ask halls and landlords if I were able to keep my pet at university, but I was curious about other ways people have kept pets.
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kunoichi
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#20
(Original post by CosmicStorm)
My pet isn't sensitive to sound, only light (because he's nocturnal). I'm sure that 84p a week would be fine (especially as I'm on £20 a week in wages for my apprenticeship and it doesn't make a dent in my budget), and generally even if I do go out, I won't drink to the point of getting a hangover or anything. I'm a fairly early riser and like doing lots of things in my day.
My pet isn't really sensitive of movement, only environmental changes such as cold, but I do have a heat mat to regulate temperatures in the colder months anyway. He moves between my homes every week with me and is fine.
And vets can't do anything for a Giant African Land snail, as if they're sick they usually lose weight and then die. They're not the kind of pet where vets really apply, it would be a bit like taking a goldfish to the vets, you have to sort of home-diagnose and treat accordingly.
I will be 21, almost 22, by the time I go to university, so my accommodation is not definite at this point, as I'm unsure as to whether I will just jump straight into private accommodation. Obviously I would ask halls and landlords if I were able to keep my pet at university, but I was curious about other ways people have kept pets.
My pet isn't sensitive to sound, only light (because he's nocturnal). I'm sure that 84p a week would be fine (especially as I'm on £20 a week in wages for my apprenticeship and it doesn't make a dent in my budget), and generally even if I do go out, I won't drink to the point of getting a hangover or anything. I'm a fairly early riser and like doing lots of things in my day.
My pet isn't really sensitive of movement, only environmental changes such as cold, but I do have a heat mat to regulate temperatures in the colder months anyway. He moves between my homes every week with me and is fine.
And vets can't do anything for a Giant African Land snail, as if they're sick they usually lose weight and then die. They're not the kind of pet where vets really apply, it would be a bit like taking a goldfish to the vets, you have to sort of home-diagnose and treat accordingly.
I will be 21, almost 22, by the time I go to university, so my accommodation is not definite at this point, as I'm unsure as to whether I will just jump straight into private accommodation. Obviously I would ask halls and landlords if I were able to keep my pet at university, but I was curious about other ways people have kept pets.
I have a (probably stupid) question because I'm considering getting a snake and they also need a heat mat.
With a heat mat is it ok to set it on the floor like carpet, or does it need a hard non flammable surface? I'm terrified if it was on carpet it would catch fire or something.
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