The College Rabbit
Many college students are living on their own for the first time and they find that they really miss having a pet around. They like the companionship and look into options for having one while they are in school. Often a rabbit will seem like the ideal pet for them. They are small, quiet, can be caged, and not to mention irresistibly cute. Unfortunately there are many other issues that are often overlooked.
Whether you are getting a rabbit or any other pet, you should first learn everything you can about them, to make sure they are the right pet for you. We encourage everyone to read our Bunny Basics. Think through issues such as how will you prevent your rabbit from chewing electrical and computer cords? Where will you store supplies? Will your room be quiet or noisy? In addition to the standard concerns, college students are often faced with other circumstances which make having a rabbit or any pet more difficult.
School schedules are an important issue. Sure everything is fine while school is in session. However, college students often travel for school and summer breaks. Sometimes these trips are home, other times to fun places like Florida. What happens to the rabbit during this time? You cannot rely on other students to watch your rabbit when they most likely will be away too. What about the student that needs to fly home? Taking rabbits on a plane is very expensive. Unless your parents are a short (less than two hour) drive away, this is a serious problem.
Finances are another issue. Most college students are tight on funds. They need to save up the adoption fee and even save to pay for gas. If money is this tight, what happens when the rabbit gets sick? Vet bills can easily run $300. If you can’t afford the vet bills, you can’t possibly provide adequate care for your bunny.
Vet visits also bring up the issue of transportation. Many students don’t have a car. You have to worry about rides in order to pick up rabbit supplies. This isn’t critical, but if you have a sick bun and need to get to a vet quickly, finding a friend who can give you a ride might be difficult.
Finally, life changes. Rabbits are fun while you are in the dorm, enjoying your college life. Too many students graduate, move to a new town and fail to find rabbit friendly housing. Many rabbits end up at the shelter then. Bunny was part of the college days, not part of the future.
Unless you have supportive parents nearby, plenty of money, a car, and plan on keeping your rabbit after graduation, a rabbit (or any pet) is not a good choice for a college student. However there are other ways to get a bunny fix. You can always volunteer with a local shelter or rescue group. Most groups can use help cleaning cages and socializing animals.
by Suzanne Trayhan