Renting an Apartment with Pets

Having a pet is simultaneously one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects in life, especially for students. Though you may envision throwing a frisbee with Spot with your new college friends, you must consider how much of a responsibility it is as well.

Owning a Pet in College

The first thing you must determine is whether your student housing near UF allows pets. Unfortunately, not all apartments cater to these needs. The Retreat at Gainesville is pet friendly and even offers plenty of greenspace where your furry friend can get the exercise it needs. You will physically benefit from having a dog as well. A study at Baylor College of Medicine found that dog owners were 54% more likely to reach the recommended amount of physical activity than their counterparts. Further, dogs are social animals. If you are going through a particularly difficult time or are having trouble adjusting to moving away from home, having a furry companion with you can be a major advantage. Because they require regular attention, students will be much more likely to remain organized and have a well developed schedule.

Though there are many benefits to bringing your dog or cat with you to your UF housing, there are some difficulties as well. Owning a dog or cat can quickly add up. They will need food, visits to the vet, and maybe even obedience training. Even if your Gainesville apartments allow pets, figure out if there are any specific costs you will be required to pay. Often, apartments will charge a flat fee at the beginning of your lease if you have a pet. Further if your companion causes damage to walls, furniture or flooring, you may face expensive charges when you move out. Pets are also time consuming. They require exercise, attention and to be regularly let outside. If you have a busy academic or social life, it may become impossible to devote the time necessary to owning a dog. If you have a dog or cat, you will also lose the ability to take spontaneous weekend trips because you will need to find someone to care for them in your absence.

Tips to Minimize Inconvenience on Neighbors

Though you may be able to look over the disadvantages of having a dog because you left your furry friend so much, your neighbors may not. Therefore, it is important to identify potential problems so you can prevent them from occurring. There is nothing worse than a dog that makes noise constantly all day and night. You may want to invest in obedience training to train your dog not to bark indoors. Further, look for student apartments in Gainesville that have construction to minimize noise pollution. For example, The Retreat at Gainesville uses floor plans that limit the amount of shared walls between units and thick walls to prevent noise from travelling. When you do leave your apartment, make sure you keep your pet on a leash in order to prevent them from bothering anyone passing by. Neighbors are not the only ones who may get frustrated by your companion, your roommates have the potential to as well. Even if they enjoy an occasional play time, your roommates may become quickly inconvenienced. If not given a bath for a long period of time, your pet can develop an odor. Therefore, be sure to regularly wash your dog and clean areas they frequent to keep your apartment smelling fresh.

Pet Restrictions in Gainesville, FL

It is vital that you adhere to all rules regarding pets when living in Gainesville, FL. In Alachua County, all dogs, cats and ferrets are required to have an Alachua County License tag on at all times for identification. Additionally, in Alachua you must have your dog on a leash or in a cage at all times when outside of your UF apartments. Unfortunately, all pets will need to visit a vet whether for a regular checkup or something more serious. Luckily, Gainesville has plenty of resources such as Oaks Vet Animal Hospital, Millhopper Veterinary Medical Center and Suburban Animal Hospital. If you are looking for a pet, consider adopting one from Gainesville Pet Rescue or Alachua County Humane Society.

When you decide to bring your furry best friend to Gainesville, choose The Standard at Gainesville. Our luxury student apartment in Gainesville, FL is very pet friendly. Not only will you be able to enjoy a life of luxury, but your pet will as well.