Adriana Garcia might be a dog lover, but she doesn’t love the idea of having one in her apartment.
The fourth-year political science student lives in Olympia Mills with her two roommates, and although pets are permitted in their apartment complex, the three do not share their space with any furry friends.
“There’s poop in the elevators, and after it rains, it smells like wet dog everywhere,” Garcia said. “It’s one thing to have a goldfish, but it’s another thing to have a Great Dane in your apartment.”
Fish are the only pets permitted in on-campus housing, but off campus, circumstances are often more pet-friendly. The majority of off-campus housing options are open to four-legged friends.
The majority of apartment complexes listed on USC’s off-campus housing website do allow pets, including The Retreat, Stadium Suites, The Woodlands and Garnet River Walk. Only two options forbid pets: Pointe West and Riverside.
According to the Pointe West website, pets are not allowed in the community as “a courtesy to our residents”; however, “exceptions will be made for fish.”
Hunter VanGeison, a third-year business student, lives in University Oaks with his two human roommates and their two canine companions. Oakley, VanGeison’s four-month-old lab/pitbull mix, is cage-trained and goes out between eight and 10 times a day.
“I’m moving into a house next year, which was always the plan,” VanGeison said. “But Oakley is now one of the main reasons that I’m moving. I don’t like apartment life with a dog, just because I like the dog to be able to go out in a yard and run around.”
VanGeison’s roommate, David Burke, a second-year finance student, said he doesn’t really mind having the pups around.
“Everybody likes dogs,” he said. “Girls like dogs.”
But VanGeison said that owning a pet goes further than just cleaning up after it; Oakley has taught him a lot about growing up.
“Oakley’s definitely helped me with responsibility,” he said. “He helps me keep my priorities straight, because I know I have another living thing to take care of.”