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Eden Hodges
The Bulloch County animal shelter sees more strays in the summer, leading supervisors to suspect students are being irresponsible.
“It seems when college students move out we get a lot of well taken care of animals that we try to find their homes and eventually can’t,” said shelter supervisor Amanda Anderson. “It’s part of being in a college town.”
She says unfortunately, some students might release their pets into the ‘wilds’ of Statesboro, leaving things to Animal Control.
College can be stressful and lonely, leading many students to seek relief through a pet.
“It definitely provided company, companionship” said Bryce Braddy, a recent Georgia Southern graduate. “It’s something to give the days meaning, even if you’re doing nothing because there’s something that’s depending on you.”
Braddy has had his cat Nala for 2 years now. He’s finished his degree and is off to another school. Nala made the move.
“I got her when she was so young,” said Braddy. “For me to separate her from me now, it would be kind of heartless in a way.
He says he couldn’t imagine leaving her behind, but he says it has been a lot of responsibility.
“Financially, that was probably the biggest stress,” said Braddy.
He said he expected the work and care that went along with it, scooping the litterbox once a day, but working at entry-level job while in college, litter and cat food started to add up.
There is a chance that young college students just didn’t realize what they were getting themselves into, since a dog or cat’s life is much longer than a 4-year degree. Braddy said it’s a thought that had to sink in for he and his roommate as cat owners.
“One day we were sitting in the living room watching TV or whatever and he said I’ve really thought about it I’m gonna have this cat now for a long time like this is a longterm commitment,” said Braddy.
“I’d already considered that she’d be around for a while,” said Braddy. “Then I really sat there and thought about it and realized I have the potential to still have this cat in my thirties.”
Anderson says several students come in to volunteer by taking the animals out to play. She says it can be a great way to test the waters of pet ownership.
“They can either volunteer and take animals out and play with them or if they’re looking to adopt it can give a different perspective,” said Anderson.
Another way to ‘try before you buy’, the Habitat for Humanity is always looking for people willing to foster animals until they’re adopted and free up space in the kennels.
“Right now we’re pretty full,” Anderson said. She said they stay that way year-round, even with steady adoptions.
Lastly, if you absolutely have to give up your animal, Anderson asks that you find it a new home yourself rather than throwing it on the streets. She says too, you should have the contact information for the new owner – in case you get a call from them and you’re the only one on file.
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