Saying goodbye to a family pet at the start of a new semester of college can be heartbreaking, and it's hard to replace the companionship pets provide.

Despite the extra time and effort it requires, many students at UW-Madison are not willing to give up the friendship they have with their pets. Coming home to a wagging tail and a loving smile may be just the thing to cure the stress of a hard day of classes.

But students can run into obstacles.

Cost is a factor

According to UW-Madison senior Marysa LaRowe, who owns a hamster and several guinea pigs, most landlords do not take kindly to pet owners who are searching for apartments.

"Even just as a small-animal owner it's really hard to find a landlord or management company who is OK with animals," she said. "They just aren't willing to take the risk of damage to their property."

Hailey Pobanz, a UW senior, agreed that most landlords are picky about animals, and said she received an eviction notice from a previous landlord for keeping her cat, Maggie.

"They found out she was there because they were showing the apartment, and said she had to leave in five days," Pobanz said. Luckily, Pobanz said her parents were willing to keep Maggie during the short time until her lease ended.

Pobanz said although Maggie is mischievous, knocking over the occasional bottle of expensive perfume, "she's never done anything that would affect my security deposit."

UW alum Anna Wagner said landlords she has dealt with have always required that cats be declawed, which can be bothersome to some pet owners who think it is inhumane.

Additionally, she has always paid her landlord an extra monthly fee to keep her cat, Murray.

Wagner said the monthly fee to some landlords can be fairly expensive considering campus apartments are not always in the greatest condition and damage done by pets would most likely not be noticeable.

Once pet owners can successfully get their animals into apartments, issues with roommates can become a concern.

UW senior Kevin Carey did not plan to take in his 2-year-old dog, Zeus, but could not help himself after seeing Zeus' picture on a Web site listing dogs going to shelters that needed homes.

According to Carey, Zeus is "a ball of energy, a handful to say the least."

Carey said he got more help taking care of Zeus from his roommate last semester, who was home more frequently than the people he lives with now.

"I see them get annoyed once in a while after they come home and Zeus is just jumping around all over the place, waiting to play fetch or tug-of-war," Carey said.

According to UW junior Katie Vann, a former roommate of Wagner's, apartment visitors and roommates of pet owners still have responsibilities, such as keeping doors closed to prevent escape.

"It's also important to provide a safe, somewhat quiet room for the pet to stay in during parties so that he or she doesn't get stressed out, scared or bothered by inebriated visitors," she said.

According to LaRowe, the financial commitment of pet-owning is much bigger than people realize.

"You've got food, water, toys, grooming, health care and potential vet-visit costs to worry about," she said. "When you're a student with a lot of expenses and a low income, that adds up."

On top of the cost, LaRowe must set aside time each week to clean cages, prepare food, and feed all her pets.

Carey said Zeus has already visited the vet several times in the six months Carey has had him.

"Anyone who's been to the vet knows it's never cheap," he said.

Enduring bonds

While many pets are small enough to be kept in apartments, some students have attachments to animals from childhood from which they cannot bear to separate, even living on a college budget.

In addition to Murray, Wagner has boarded a horse, Niamh, for almost two years.

For about six months of that time, Wagner was still a student, and said she was fortunate to have a light class load.

"If I had had a horse while I was taking all the chemistry and biology classes with labs, my time to spend with the horse would not have been nearly as much," she said.

Luckily, Wagner has a good friend to share costs and responsibilities with, and said it was helpful her co-owner could take care of Niamh if she was busy with school.

"Balancing the two could be hard especially when all I wanted to do was go ride, but I had to study," she said.

Since the barn is in Oregon, driving time both ways in addition to time spent riding and providing care adds up to a minimum of a few hours each day spent with Niamh.

"Even though the barn owner feeds her every day and cleans her stall, my friend or I are out there seven days a week to ride or take her for walks or check on her," Wagner said.

Wagner's costs include rent and board, feed, supplements, horseshoes and foot trimming, lessons and showing costs during the summer and bills to the vet.

As opposed to her cat, which doesn't need as much daily care and exercise, Wagner said horses are prone to many injuries and illnesses if not taken care of properly.

Despite the added effort, Wagner said she loves watching Niamh grow and mature, and added she could never have the same bond with another human or animal.

Other students agreed the time and money they put into their pets is definitely worth the friendship they have.

According to Pobanz, pet owning "gives you something to look forward to coming home to," and said her responsibility for Maggie has helped her make the transition to adulthood.

For LaRowe, the distinct personalities of her pets can be helpful when they keep her distracted from the stress of school.

"There's nothing better than watching your pets playing and chasing each other around in the morning when you have to get up for class," she said.

Carey said he feels rewarded knowing that he gave Zeus "a second chance at a truly happy life."

"He's just the most carefree and loving animal I've ever been around," he said. "What more could I ask for?"