So, you want a pet?
Navigating the student and academic life at UC Berkeley can be stressful, meaning it is important to have ways to destress. And while friends come and go, there isn’t a more consistent companion than the furry friends waiting for us when we come home. Adopting a pet as a student offers a bond that goes beyond class or work, but it also comes with the challenge of taking care of a being that depends on you to survive.
Here is my experience as a pet parent while being a student, and some tips and tricks on what to expect if you welcome an animal into your home.
What to consider before adopting an animal
Living with a pet is hard.
Prospective pet parents often think animals like cats are self-sustaining beings that don’t require much attention. That cannot be further from the truth. Cats are extremely physically and emotionally dependent on their human friends, and that is only amplified for other pets like dogs, and young pets of all kinds.
On top of caring for your pet’s everyday needs such as feeding and cleaning, the financial costs of veterinary care and pet insurance can add unexpected stress to pet owners who are not prepared.
But pets are amazing!
Besides the costs, caring for a pet is one of the most rewarding and emotionally fulfilling responsibilities one can take on.
I adopted my two kittens when they were just three months old after my partner and I had been looking to adopt a cat since we moved to off-campus housing. We adopted from a family friend for no cost, and opted for two kittens because we wanted them to be able to play with each other in our apartment while we were away at class.
The decision was nerve-wracking, but seeing them grow up and being able to come home to two furballs of cuddles is usually the highlight of my day.
My cats, Jun (left) and Maurice (right), cuddling with each other after a long day of playing.
Before adopting a cat or dog
It is important to consider your daily routine as a student. If you live alone and are busy with extracurricular activities and classes, you may not have time to care for and play with your pet.
You may need to pet-proof your home, taking safety into consideration for your particular pet. For example, some cats will try to eat houseplants so you need to make sure you only keep non-toxic plants or put things out of reach from your animal — cats, in particular, can get very sick or even die from flowers like tulips or lilies. You also may need to think about indoor and outdoor access points for your pet if they need it, like dog doors for access to your yard or patio if you have one, or window screens to make sure a cat doesn’t try to climb out on a window sill.
I set up a net and plastic mesh fencing so my cats won’t fall off my second-floor apartment balcony. Pro tip: I keep flowers outside most of the time, but roses are one of the few non-toxic plants for cats!
Consider setting some money aside in your budget for veterinarian services, like required vaccinations or pop-up care if your pet gets sick.
You should make sure your roommates are on board with helping to take care of animals. It might be feasible to fit time into your schedule for your pet’s needs if your roommates or a partner can help, but if your roommate is against having pets in their space, that is a deal-breaker.
Do you have the space? Dogs need a larger space than cats to get their energy out. If your apartment is small, it might not be enough space for a dog to live in.
Dogs also require more time for adequate care. You should consider whether you are up for the challenge of walking your dog one to three times per day, and whether there are pet-friendly spaces in the area. Dog parks are essential for allowing your dog to socialize and get used to being around people and other animals. Social interaction is key if you plan on having friends over or taking your dog out to social events, so you need to make sure your pet is not socially isolated.
My niece and I walking my family’s very energetic dogs Roo (left) and Kenga (right), while I was back home in Southern California.
Now that you’ve considered it, here is how you can get started in your pet parent journey.
Where to get started
Where you can adopt
Berkeley Humane offers pet adoptions with in-depth profile pages online for each pet. Their adoption system is through foster pet parents, their two pet thrift shops (1120 Solano Ave., Albany, California, and 2644 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, California), or through partnerships with organizations in the Bay Area.
Berkeley Animal Shelter is the most affordable option. They offer pet adoptions to anyone 18 years old or older with fees of $100 for cats and $125 for dogs. All animals available for adoption are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines.
Cat Town is a nonprofit in Oakland that runs a cat cafe where you can get a drink and spend time visiting with the cats. It’s a great activity to do with friends, and it’s a good way to interact with the cats before you decide if you want to book an adoption appointment if you’re interested in taking the next step.
Petco has nearby locations in El Cerrito and North Oakland. They partner with local organizations that bring animals to the store on the weekends for people to adopt.
Pet Food Express has nearby locations on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley and on Monroe Street in Albany. Similar to Petco, they partner with local organizations for adoption events. Check the store locations list of events.
In my case, I adopted two kittens from a family friend whose cat gave birth to too many kittens for their family to care for. Cat litters are usually four to six kittens and dogs are usually five to six puppies. This means families often have to search for new homes for their new excess of kittens or puppies. Keep in mind that this community-based method for adoption means you would have to take care of bringing your new young pet to a veterinarian promptly for vaccines and to spay/neuter them.
Resources once you adopt
Berkeley Humane has the Spay the Bay program, which offers a free spay and neuter clinic and a low-cost vaccine clinic. They also offer a free pet-food pantry once a month.
On our way home from Maurice and Jun’s free Berkeley Humane neuter appointment. Having a car has been a lifesaver for vet appointments and traveling home with my cats.
Registering your pet as an emotional support animal
If you plan to live in campus housing, registering your pet as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is the best option if you and your animal fit the criteria. Note that some off-campus apartments do not allow pets that are not registered ESAs or service animals, so it is a good option if it fits your needs. Also consider that off-campus apartments that allow pets often charge an extra deposit and/or monthly fee for each pet. Those costs are usually higher for dogs than cats.
My daily routine as a pet parent
I wake up in the mornings and feed my cats at around 9:30 a.m. every day before I start work at 10 a.m. Cats tend to be sleepy after they eat, so I use the downtime to clean their litter boxes or clean up messes they made overnight. Get used to not being able to leave food or drinks out once you adopt a pet — what’s yours to eat is theirs to spill.
This spill was just one example of an incident that I have come home to after a long day of school. Note the chicken hut for sleep space and the scratching post as essentials for making our cats comfortable in our apartment!
After my daily work shift ends at 12 p.m., I usually play with the cats for a bit before getting ready for my first class of the day at 2 p.m.
Right before I leave for class I feed the cats again. I try to feed them consistently at 2:30 p.m. every afternoon by using an automatic feeder, but sometimes they get an early lunch if I am running late for class.
Jun and Maurice eating their lunch from the automatic feeder. This tool has been essential for living a student life and caring for my cats.
If I know I will be gone late that night, I will add their dinner to the automatic feeder set for 9:30 p.m. before I leave for class in the afternoon.
By the time I get home from classes and extracurriculars, my kitties are well-rested and ready to wreak havoc. I play with them using string toys to get them running and I let them outside on the balcony for fresh air.
Make sure your cats have plenty of toys and sleep spaces. There are affordable ways to accumulate toys and play items for your cats. This large cat tree was just $40 on Facebook Marketplace.
If I didn’t already load their dinner into the automatic feeder, I feed them at 9:30 p.m. for their last meal of the day. They either play hard or sleep hard until I go to sleep that night. Right before I sleep is the peak de-stress time with my cats. They love to play and then cuddle before bed.
Now you know what it takes to adopt a pet
Ultimately, the most important part of deciding whether or not to adopt a pet as a student is doing your research so you know what you are getting yourself into. Having a pet is a great experience, even though it can be challenging as a student at an academically rigorous university like UC Berkeley
Ethan Teeguarden, Class of 2027, is majoring in English and minoring in journalism.
Want more?
- Read about where you can go on a hike with your dog in Berkeley.
- Meet a dog on campus through Paws for Mental Health before you try adopting.
- Explore Albany and Solano Avenue while making your trip to Berkeley Humane’s pet thrift store.