Though the traditional house pets consist of cats and dogs, they aren’t the only ones UW-La Crosse students are hoping for on and off-campus. The pet policy on-campus, unfortunately, is limited to fish. However, some UW-L students have thought outside-the-box of dorm policies and lease restraints.

After casually speaking with numerous students, cats and dogs are still the favored pet. This doesn’t come to any surprise as dogs are my favorite too. Though, after speaking further with students, it seems we’ve gotten better at dodging the rules.

Some students off campus argued, “Our lease says no cats and dogs, but nothing else about any other pets. So we decided to get a household friend, Larry, a lizard.” They proceeded to explain that this doesn’t violate their lease, but they also hide Larry when their landlord is present.

Another off-campus student, Senior Kayte Regan, suggested that sometimes we have to think about how much time we have for pets. Though she may have a love for dogs, she rationalizes saying, “Dogs aren’t very ideal when you live in college because they need to be taken out. A cat would be perfect off-campus because they have a litter box. They get their exercise inside.”

While dogs might be high maintenance, for some off-campus residents it’s worth it. A passerby, Junior Jared argued, “I just go home in between my breaks to feed and walk my dog. I don’t mind at all. Having a [yellow] lab for my roommates and I to play with is the best part.”

A pet to keep in mind, that’s relatively low-maintenance, is plants. Plants can be kept indoor and outdoor, and you can always pick one out according to your needs. If you’re a busy student with minimal time, cacti or bamboo are ideal. If you have more time to upkeep your pets, you might want to invest in a lily of some sort. Really, they are a great fit for any space and any time that you have.

According to Mary Mazzoni, a writer for Earth911.com, having plants at your desk or study area reduces stress, increases productivity and helps to keep the environment on your mind. Not only do they keep you company, but they also keep you focused.

Sophomore Haley Lehr, who lives on-campus, argues, “A cactus would be really cool for me. I’ve never owned one, but it’s a really low maintenance plant.” Another option to research and an eco-friendlier option for on or off-campus students would be an aquaponics tank. This is a tank where a fish lives below providing nutrients for the plants that live above it through a built-in hydroponics system. The plants also purify the water for the fish.

While cats and dogs remain the favored animals, there are numerous other options for you as college students. Plants certainly are perfect for any type of person, and they have great benefits. Whatever housing arrangement you’re in, before making the purchase, evaluate what sort of time commitment you have, and what sort of benefit you’d like to receive from your pet prior to purchase.