With newfound independence, many college students might make an impulsive decision to buy a pet. But, like many other decisions, potential owners must weigh the positives and negatives of their choice.
It’s hard enough to take care of yourself when in college, so adding a furry friend can present new challenges. Still, having a dog, cat, fish or maybe even a bird can foster companionship when away from home. However, before you make your decision, here are some things to consider when having a pet at Indiana University.
On-campus housing
According to the IU Housing Rules & Regulations, no animals or pets are allowed in IU Housing residence halls, apartments or housing units. This rule even pertains to animals such as birds, laboratory animals and guests’ pets.
However, IU Housing allows crustaceans or fish kept in aquariums that do not exceed the 10-gallon capacity.
There are certain cases where animals can be allowed inside IU Housing units, such as service or emotional support animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”
Students must request approval before bringing them to campus. There are two ways to begin this process: contacting IU’s Accessible Education Services or emailing the IU Housing Assignments Office.
Off-campus housing
Pet-related policies for off-campus housing change depending on the property owner, but there are pet-friendly options all over Bloomington, including The Dillon, Evolve, Reserve on Third and The League Bloomington, among many others.
Many places charge a one-time fee, which could be a couple hundred dollars. They could also charge monthly fees or rent per pet, which usually falls between $10-40 per month. On top of that, some properties have weight limits on how big a pet can be. For example, Echo Park has a 75-pound maximum weight for pets.
Students should review lease agreements, confirm the property's rules and ask questions about restrictions. Also, knowing if the property has amenities available to keep your pet happy and healthy is crucial. Being informed before signing the lease can prevent conflicts with landlords and neighbors.
Where to adopt?
Several places in Bloomington provide opportunities to adopt a new pet. The City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control offers adoption and animal care resources. It is open every day of the week, except Wednesday, and its hours vary every day. Adopters must be 18 years of age or older and provide a valid ID at the time of adoption.
BloomingPaws and Bloomington Pets Alive partner with local shelters to provide medical care for new pets and promote adoption.
The Pipsqueakery is a nonprofit small animal rescue and sanctuary. It provides medical help and adoption opportunities to small animals, such as rabbits, rats and guinea pigs.
Final decisions
With so many options, potential owners need to ask themselves if they are ready to deal with the consequences of owning a pet. Factoring in the amount of money that pets cost per month for things such as food and litter, adopters need to budget their money to see if they can comfortably make it work.
Also, owning pets requires a lot of time and effort. Acclimating to a new environment forces owners to tend to needy and anxious pets. Pets can also damage furniture, carpets, floors and other items in households. Training pets can be a rewarding experience, but being patient is key.
Finally, when choosing a pet, make sure you go with one that you’ll have a comfortable relationship with. The size of your pet is important to consider, depending on your ability to manage a big animal and the size of your college home.
Overall, make sure you can care for your pet during and beyond your time at college. Owning a pet can be beneficial to you and your animal, but before you decide to adopt a companion, consider the factors to make sure it is a responsible choice.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student’s spring 2026 Housing and Living Guide.
