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Some people argue that having pets on campus is a must, while others think it’s cruel. The truth is somewhere in between – yes, pets can be truly helpful for students experiencing mental health issues. However, it might be unethical to keep dogs inside for too long, when dogs’ joy comes from running around, playing, and scratching their backs on the grass. Bringing pets to class can be harmful to their well-being. Students need to be taught respect, responsibility, and compassion before being allowed to bring pets on college campuses.
You cannot bring your dog to college and him alone for hours. Your dog needs to interact with you, play with you, and exercise. It’s not ethical to bring a pet to school only because you, as a student, feel entitled to. Caring about the pet’s needs is crucial.
When Is Bringing Pets on Campus Unethical?
Here are six important situations when bringing a pet to class is a bad idea. Read them carefully and consider each point before making a decision.
1. It could support cruel breeders and pet stores
Unfortunately, most college pets come from unethical breeding facilities. Here, animals are kept in miserable conditions and not allowed enough space, food, water, or sanitary living conditions. They’re not being taken care of either. These types of shelters do not use vets or any other doctors. Animals are therefore suffering because of how they’re treated.
Plus, breeding facilities have become a problem today, when stray dogs can be found everywhere around cities or suburban homes. Most of them are killed yearly because of the overpopulation crisis – facilities cannot face that many animals anymore. Instead of adding to the problem, you could help reduce it by refusing to adopt pets from breeding facilities but especially by refusing to showcase them on campus.
2. It is not natural
Think about yourself – would you like to be kept in a cage or leash 8-12 hours per day? Would you like to follow someone else around campus for food and water? Would you like to not be able to speak when you feel like it (in their case, bark)? I’m pretty sure the answer to all the above questions is, “no.” If you wouldn’t like that, why do it to another living being?
Emotional support animals are not living happy lives on campus. They’re constantly exposed to stimuli they’re not used to (and never will be). By bringing pets on campus, you’re hurting them. You should know better since you’re a human and can use your consciousness to make moral decisions.
3. Classroom pets are often abused
Here are some examples of pets that have been abused in schools.
- Pigs who got their bodies covered in chemical substances because of students
- Snakes who were stolen and cooked in a microwave
- Rabbits who were not offered any veterinary care and died
- Chinchillas who were beaten inside a classroom and left to die
- Lambs who were sprayed and left to freeze on campus late at night, etc.
They’re so many stories out there, and they hurt people who love animals. Don’t be one of those college students who puts him/herself first and forgets about other living beings. Be aware of the consequences of bringing a pet on campus are and why certain rules apply. Be moral and take responsibility for your actions. If you truly think that your pet can be safe on campus, only then consider bringing it. Very often with pets you have to go outside and walk them, as well as keep an eye on them all the time so they don’t do anything wrong. Pets can also distract you from doing your homework (especially when they ask to be taken out a lot) but thanks to professionals working at StudyClerk, you can trust your work to other writers and buy argumentative essay from professionals . Then, you can go for a walk with your pet and manage time properly. This could help you meet deadlines and take care of your pet at the same time.
4. College pets are often left alone or forgotten
Another reason why pets are not accepted on most campuses is that they can be easily forgotten – and this is extremely wrong. As a pet owner, you’re responsible for your pet’s health and overall well-being. If you’re not bringing your pet to class, you’ve got to visit them during your school breaks. Instead of eating out, you might have to reconsider; you might have to eat in. You might not be able to go on school trips if you cannot find a pet sitter. You might not be able to go to parties if your pet is anxious. You might not be able to do many things when you’ve got a pet with you on campus, which is why you must think about the pros and cons carefully.
5. It’s not healthy
Most schools believe that pets are a liability, meaning they could be dangerous in the classroom. Some kids have allergies and others are simply triggered by animals. This is why some colleges never accept pets on campus – and are not even thinking about changing their rules.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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