Some Kent State students living off campus choose to bring pets into their apartments as companions.

While some apartments in Kent do not allow furry friends in their complexes, plenty of apartments welcome pets.

Mariam Ahmadian is a resident assistant at Eagles Landing located on Morris Road. Ahmadian said that she feels allowing pets at their establishment helps with business.

“It gives people comfort to have their animal with them. I think it can sway where they want to live a lot. If one place doesn’t allow pets and one place does, then it can for sure bring people here,” Ahmadian said.

Karen Boyer is a sophomore hospitality major at Kent State. Boyer said that one of the main reasons she chose to move into an apartment was so she could bring her cat with her. Boyer’s cat has been in her family for eight years.

“She’s my baby,” said Boyer.

Boyer currently resides at University Oaks located on Golden Oaks Drive in Kent, where both dogs and cats are permitted.

Boyer said that her cat provides her with comfort.

“Everytime I come home, I can hear her meowing before I even open the door,” Boyer said.

Boyer suggested that anyone thinking about bringing a pet into their apartment anticipate the cost ahead of time. Things like extra fees added onto rent, vet appointments and food can add up, Boyer said.

Holly Manzell is sophomore zoology major currently living at Campus Pointe on Ashton Lane. She and her roommate each have a dog. Manzell said she decided to adopt a dog for comfort, companionship and safety.

Manzell said she did not intentionally move to Campus Pointe for the pet- friendly living, but once her and her roommate were settled, they thought about the idea. “I always had a dog. We didn’t intentionally move here to have a dog, but when we moved here we were sad because we didn’t have one.”

While many assume the word “pet” means either a cat or a dog, sophomore botany major Raleigh Schofield interprets the word a little differently.

Schofield currently cares for one hedgehog, two beta fish, a California king snake, a ball python and two geckos.

The beta fish came as a present from Schofield’s mother when she came to Kent State. Schofield said that the rest of the pets have been adopted within the last year.

“After getting the fish, I started doing a ton of research about different pets and the best ways to take care of them,” Schofield said. “I watched a bunch of Youtube videos. I pretty much became obsessed with learning everything I could.”

Schofield said that having pets in her apartment keeps her responsible and entertained.

“I’m madly in love with them all. I get really lonely without them. I went home last weekend and was without any animals, and I felt a void.”

Schofield said that anyone wanting to adopt a pet should do their research first, as different animals require different kinds of care.

Natalie Eusebio is the commuter and apartments reporter. Contact her at [email protected].