Would small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs be considered "liabilities" on college campuses?

Question

We're not allowed to have any pets at my school, except for fish, rocks, and plants. The administrators never gave us a definite answer why, though. I can understand not being able to have a dog or cat. Those are high-maintenance animals.
But what about guinea pigs? They're pretty low maintenance(I've had two)--the only issue is that they eat a lot. Should I start a petition and ask that small animals be allowed on our campus as pets?

What about people (like me) who will be in single rooms?

...and who actually KNOW how to take care of small animals.

I feel pretty strongly about this because I lost my little guinea piggy over the holidays. I miss her so much...It'd be really nice to have another one here.

Answer 1

You could, though I doubt you'd get anywhere. The thing is, fish, rocks, and plants can't get away and chew up electrical cords and stuff. Not everyone would be as responsible as you would, and you know someone would forget to latch the cage or something and pretty soon you'd have a rodent problem that required professional exterminators to handle. Yuck!

Answer 2

Guinea pigs are NOT low maintenance. Mine are all over 6 years old and have to be attended to and cared for every day to live that long. You have to be financially able to take care of them.(vet & proper food) Unless you are a very cruel person who would just let them suffer to death instead of taking them to a vet. If you think piggies are low maintenance that sounds like what you would do. A guinea pig that is properly cared for will live for about 7 to 8 years. If yours didn't live that long..DON'T GET ANY MORE, it's not fair to the piggies.

Answer 3

I think you must have no sence of smell to not understand why hamsters and guina pigs should not be allowed in dorms where other people are living. If they eat a lot, guess what? They are going to cr@p a lot too...any maintenance is high maintenance for a college student. I would never want to walk inside the dorm building and have it smell like a pet shop--that smell permiates your clothing, bedding and nose hairs-then guess what? You get used to it and walk around smelling like a funky cat box.

No petition for you!

Answer 4

Get a hamster (they're smaller), and just keep it on the QT. They stay in a cage (unless you get a "fence", or let them run around in that little ball occasionally) Don't get two and keep them in the same cage, cause they'll kill each other. Oh yeah, they're nocturnal animals and may keep you up at night. From what I understand, gerbils are very social, and two can be kept together in the same cage. (I don't know about gerbils and the nocturnal thing, though.)

Answer 5

Call, or, write a letter to the college, asking if hamsters and guinea pigs are liabilities. Only the school can answer your question.

Answer 6

I would definitely start a petition if you feel this strongly about it. I can kindof see why the admins don't want guinea pigs/etc. - because if you have a roommate who is NOT okay with the digging/scratching/activity while you are sleeping, it could cause problems.

Answer 7

Do you share a dorm room? If so, you'd better believe your room-mate will consider them a liability. About the only people who would not would be the Biology Lab.

Answer 8

That would be a good idea. I have heard of people keeping horses on campus. Rodents are low maitnence. You should be able to keep them.

Answer 9

I love hamsters but they are a big liability.they do nothing but on the other hand they are inexpensive.

Answer 10

they were at my college just becaue a few people wouldnt change their cages and the small would get bad.