-- It ' s Back to School- for Cats??--( YES! And dogs, too- at Commonwealth University, Lock Haven)
-- It ' s Back to School- for Cats??--( YES! And dogs, too- at Commonwealth University, Lock Haven)
It’ s September, and by now everyone is back at school. For those going to college and living in a dormitory, the rituals of moving in are complete, and it’ s time for classes, study and late night sessions with college friends. But pets? Well, no. They are left at home, usually with parents. For many students living away for the first time, a missing pet in their lives is a large part of the homesickness they feel.
Of course, there are“ the secret pets” – usually kittens that get smuggled into the dormitory and are carefully guarded until their vocalizations( or their litter pan) give them away. Then, the resident assistant or other college official gets them moved out of the dorm, to tears and great sorrow.
I suspect that Hector was, for a glorious week or two, a pampered secret dormitory cat. Shortly after he arrived here, we had two college-age women rent a room. He greeted them like long lost friends, and when they invited him in, he curled himself up on their bed. He was no stranger to rooms and beds. Sounds delightful, but we found him as an alone kitten at an abandoned farm building, hiding from hawks. The vet that checked him out said he was between 2 and 3 months old. It doesn’ t take much to realize that after found in the dorm, he was driven out into the country and put near a building because“ farmers always need cats.” Sad, but people who are just testing their wings don’ t know what to do with an animal that they can no longer keep. And there are plenty of older, more experienced people who either don’ t know, or don’ t care.
But there are a few schools that will accept your pet and allow them in student housing. The closest to Lycoming, Clinton, and Tioga Counties is right here. Commonwealth University at Lock Haven allows pets in designated pet-friendly residence halls, specifically Smith Hall and Campus Village.
There are rules and regulations for a pet to accompany a student to school. Cats, dogs( under 40 pounds with breed restrictions), rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs are allowed. Students must apply for pet approval, including submitting a Pet Friendly Residence Hall Registration Packet, paying a registration fee, and obtaining final approval from Housing and Residence Life.
Karen Stephaniak, Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life, focused on the pet-friendly halls, says that the program was launched in Fall 2018.“ For Fall of 2025, we have 18 pets registered. Mostly we have cats, but there are a few dogs and a hamster.” It seems that the entire university community has appreciated pets, with dogs on walks through campus and cats to visit in approved halls, or on a harness outside.“ Pets have been a great addition to resident hall living. The Resident Assistants make name tags on the student doors for the pets, as well.”
This is for a pet that has lived with the student at home at least three months, not an impulse decision in front of a box of cute kittens. The process and the program at the two pet-friendly dormitories encourage responsible pet ownership and care. It’ s a win / win for students who love their animals, and for the pet that will not be without their person. Hector heartily approves!
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, Writer, & Owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP Linda Roller
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.”
LibertyBookShop @ comcast. net www. thelibertybookshop. com
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Pawsitively Pets-- September 5