Housing restrictions limit Katrina pet adoption

Animals have always been a part of Jessie Beutel's life. When she was little, she had seven cats, two goldfish, two gerbils, two dogs, one hamster and one rabbit. As a freshman, she lived in a dorm and had to leave behind two dogs at her Fort Wayne home, but she quickly adopted a pet fish.\n"I love animals, and there's something different about a house with pets," she said. "It's more complete."\nAs a sophomore now living in an off-campus apartment, Beutel is subject to a "no pets allowed" policy. She would like to adopt a puppy, but says her lease states that "baby-sitting is strictly humans, not pets," and she and her roommates would be fined $150 per pet if they were caught.\n"We even took our fish home because we were afraid we would be fined," she said. \nWhile many students like Beutel might desire the companionship a pet can offer, the "no pets allowed" rule is present in many housing contracts, including those for IU's on-campus dorms and apartments.\nThese complications can limit students wishing to help pets hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma displaced. Dec. 15 marked the last day the Humane Society of the United States requested shelters and rescue groups across the country keep disaster victim pets, leaving many pets now available for adoption and fostering.\nAccording to the Humane Society of the United States, more than 8,000 animals were rescued from the Gulf area in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina. Although more than 2,000 owner/pet reunions have been confirmed, there are many animals still without homes.\nKatie Warrick, a sophomore who lives in a residence hall, said she wishes she could adopt cats or a small dog, but she is not allowed.\n"I don't like the no-pets rule because I feel weird without my cats. It's kind of a comfort thing," Warrick said. "I think that pets should be allowed. I wouldn't care if I had to sign something or pay an extra fee."\nAccording to IU Residence Hall and Apartment Housing Rules and Regulations, service animals and fish or crustaceans housed in 10-gallon or smaller tanks are the only animals permitted. Violations could result in University disciplinary action, cancellation of contract and payment for any cleaning, inspection or treatment that is necessary.\nMoreover, many apartment complexes impose an extra fee against students with pets or set a weight limit that excludes \ncertain dog breeds. Beutel said her step-sister, who graduated from IU last spring and still lives in the Bloomington area, pays a large fee on top of her rent to own a cat. \n"I understand where the dorms and landlords are coming from," Beutel said, "but if there are small dogs or cats that no longer have homes and the shelters are overcrowded, it could be a great solution, especially for students who live alone."\nWarrick said she believes, if possible, the University should be more lenient temporarily to provide housing for displaced animals. She said she thinks a specific dorm, certain designated floors or a limited number of rooms per floor could be offered to accommodate the animals if students were willing to sign a special contract or pay an additional fee.\n"The animals in Katrina did not ask to be left and there is no need to euthanize or ignore them," Warrick said. "If we can find good people and homes that are willing to take in animals, then it should be allowed. Different people want to help in their own ways, and I would rather take in pets."\nResidences that do allow animals can be located by selecting the "pets allowed" option at www.apartmentguide.com. Students unable to house an animal but who still want to help pets affected by natural disasters can donate money to the Humane Society of America at www.hsus.org or by volunteering at the local pet shelter.