Humane Society turns to students to welcome pets

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Houston sophomore Rachel Royster spends the day with her foster dog, Kenneth, even though her apartment lease doesn’t allow her to stay full-time. Photo courtesy of Rachel Royster

By Camille Cox | Editor-in-chief

Albuquerque, NM, junior Evan Pfeiffer welcomed Ghost, a Siberian husky, for a few weeks after learning that the Humane Society of Central Texas was reaching maximum capacity.

“Someone told me the Humane Society was at full capacity and they were potentially going to shoot dogs,” Pfeiffer said. “I walked in with the intention of getting him adopted, but he was just a little bigger than I could have given him in an apartment.”

According to the Humane Society website, animals can be placed for a short time: 24 hours or one to six weeks.

“I kept it as long as possible, but then I had to leave town,” Pfeiffer said. “I sent him back to the Humane Society after two weeks… but he was adopted within the two days he was there.”

San Antonio sophomore Megan Huff also welcomed a dog through the Humane Society over Labor Day weekend, giving the dog a short break away from its crate.

“My roommates and I decided to host because we thought it would be a fun bonding experience and we wanted to help a dog in need,” Huff said.

While students living on campus cannot accommodate animals, students living off campus in apartments or houses can often welcome or adopt animals if their lease allows them to do so.

“I think if you can foster, you should,” Huff said. “Yes that was a lot, and I don’t know if I could do it again with my current workload, but if you can you should do it because it’s important and fun to have a pet. “

Through the Humane Society, those hosting will have a weekly check-in with a Host Family Liaison from The Humane Society of Central Texas to ensure the situation is well suited.

“Animals don’t care if you live in an apartment or a house, if you have a garden, what kind of work you have or what time you wake up in the morning,” the Humane Society said on its website. Web.

While fostering benefits the animal, the animal can also help students feel comfortable. According to a 2017 academic article in the Journal of Modern Psychological Studies published by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, professors at Troy University wrote that “animals have been shown to have positive effects on human beings. people with a variety of ailments including depression, stress and homesickness ”.

Animals, in the right situation, can help students relieve stress and improve their mental health.

“Pet therapy can be helpful in de-stigmatizing mental illness and increasing the chances that students will seek advice,” the academic article said.

Baylor students who have been placed in foster care have felt the benefits of having a dog, even if only for a short time.

“It was great fun having a dog because I have three dogs at home and I miss being with them,” Huff said. “Not having pets in college is sad, but having a companion by my side for a weekend was something I loved to do.”

Those interested in fostering, volunteering, or adopting through The Humane Society can visit its website for more information. Additionally, the Humane Society of Central Texas is hosting a 5k Zombie Race on October 30, featuring a costume contest for humans and dogs.

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