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Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Bunny in dorm as emotional support animal

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    • KaraJanet89
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        My boyfriend thinks I always worry too much, but I’m worried about bringing my rabbits as emotional support animals to my dorm room. I have severe anxiety and bipolar disorder, and I have them registered as ESA, so there’s no worry about the college not letting me have them, because of the fair housing act. However, I worry about having a rabbit with roommates around. I mean, I had them in my apartment last year and I had pretty much the worst roommate I’ve ever had and the bunnies were just fine (except I’d get mad when the dummy turned off the AC on 90 degree days), but I’m nervous about having other people around my babies. I guess this isn’t a question, I’m just wondering if anyone else had had roommates whilst having a rabbit and what their experience was. 


      • Sarita
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          I would say I guess it really depends on the roommates more than anything else – are you able to “interview” with potential roommates concerning having a pet rabbit around.

          I think you have to keep in consideration the roommate as well – do they have allergies, would the rabbit making noise at night disturb them – all of those things.

          I’m pretty sure I would not like having my rabbits directly in my bedroom – luckily I don’t have to – and that is no matter how much I love them :~) I’m 100% sure my husband would not be able to sleep either with a rabbit in the room.


        • LBJ10
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            Sarita makes some good points. I don’t know what their system is for assigning roommates. Where I went to undergrad, if you knew someone that you wanted to be your roommate, then you could request that person. If you didn’t know someone (pretty common with freshman), then the school would pick someone for you. There was no interview process where you could interview potential roommates you didn’t know. I suppose that makes sense because I can see how that could get out of control.

            Does the school have single dorms at all? Some have single dorms for special situations. Otherwise, if you joined a sorority then a lot of sorority houses have a bunch of single bedrooms all in one house. If you are just entering school though, you wouldn’t be able to join and live in a sorority house right away.


          • mrs. coach
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              I’m guessing there’s some sort of questionnaire for roommates…It might be helpful to discuss with the housing administration whether a similar situation has occurred before/how they handle it, or if they have a way to screen for roommates who would be amenable to the buns. A single dorm sounds like a good option, too, though I know sometimes freshmen might not have priority with those. Good luck!


            • KaraJanet89
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                I forgot to mention that the dorm has four bedrooms, with one person in each bedroom, so I would have my own bedroom. I’m a transfer student, and that will be my first year at this new school. This is the only dorm I’m considering because it’s the only one with AC, essential for my buns here. It’s also a transfer student community, so it would really help me adjust. I could live off campus, but I’d feel really lonely and disconnected. It won’t be until 2015-2016 school year, after I graduate from my community college. 


              • BunnyLady1989
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                  I think given the situation you would be able to have your voice with finding good roommates. Since they are the emotional support pets you clearly can’t just not take them. Luckily though you would have your own bedroom and if there were any issues you can have the bunny in your room-not sure what your planning with that. I hope the school will be understanding and be able to work with you on this.


                • justwildbeat
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                    If you are not a first year, you should be able to choose who your roommates are. Friends and classmates who know your situation will be more sympathetic as opposed to total strangers. If you are unable to, then you will have to contact each of them and make sure they are okay with it.

                    Also where do you plan on housing your rabbits? In the common area or within your room? Most people wouldn’t mind if they’re kept within your room since that’s your own personal area.


                  • Megabunny
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                      I’m guessing that having your pets with you at school would be an awesome emotional support. You could send them back w/ your bf anyway, if needed couldn’t you? I would hope that not being a freshman might get you with more mature people, but then who am I kidding? My daughter is in college and in desperation got fish to have some connection with animals, plus she goes and plays with puppies at the local pet shop (she finds which ones haven’t been played with in a while and plays with them). I am wondering if your bunnies would be good emotional support for others as well! Her college also has visiting therapy dogs when they have midterms and finals.


                    • Tessie
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                        I live in a student house with other people, and I have my rabbits in my room, so I’m in the same boat as you!
                        I assume you’ll keep yours in your room too? If so, I can’t imagine there being too much of an issue.

                        The only issue I have is when the bunnies make mess or are smelly… but even then it’s only really me being embarrassed because it’s my room so my housemates don’t care!

                        Also Luna went through a phase of going into one of my flatmates rooms, which was awkward, because she doesn’t like bunnies. Especially when she chewed through a wire! But I just stopped letting her out of my room and now she doesn’t really leave even though she has the option.

                        The only thing I would say is, like the others have said, to be aware if someone has allergies or is afraid of small animals or something. But if the school knows you’re bringing the bunnies then hopefully they’ll be sensible enough to have checked.


                      • Tessie
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                          I just re-read your question and it sounds like you were also worried about your rabbits welfare around the roommates.
                          For me, a couple of the people I live with don’t like the bunnies, but they hardly ever come in here.
                          The other people I live with like the buns.

                          I think it’s just about knowing the people you live with and whether they can be trusted. For me, sometimes when I’ve gone home for a weekend and left my friend with instructions, because I know that she’ll do what I ask and that she’s sensible.
                          I’d explain to them about the air con as soon as it’s relevant to the weather where you are, just let them know that it’s important for the bunnies that it’s on.
                          If you don’t trust your roommates then I assume you’d be able to lock your door or something so that no-one can interfere with them when you’re out, but to be honest I don’t think you need to worry too much. I’m don’t think many people are likely to go messing with other people’s pets.
                          So yeah I’d say just explain about the heat and any other concerns you have… for instance maybe you don’t want them feeding them or picking them up? I think if you just told them then they’d respect you for that.


                        • KaraJanet89
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                            Thanks, Tessie. Yeah, I am more worried about my buns than my roommates, haha. I’d be respectful of my roommates and not let the smell get too bad or let them destroy stuff. I’d keep them in my own room, and though it’s a small room, if I loft my bed, I will be able to fit both x-pens. I have two and they are 36 inch by 36 inch. I just think living on campus would be best for me emotionally, being on campus, easier to go to class and work, feel more connected, not live alone, etc. Yes, I guess if things were really bad, I could send them home with my boyfriend. Where we live right now is an hour and a half away from my new college, so I’d still be able to see them, but oh how I would miss them. More worried about that than being long distance with the boyfriend, haha! 

                            I did have a terrible roommate last year (like, I moved out a month and half early, still paid rent, just to get away from her. She was loud and rude and dramatic and screwed me over on bills and ugh. terrible) but nothing bad ever happened to my buns. I was mad about the AC, but in a dorm we wouldn’t pay electric, so I doubt my roommates would care. Plus, since I’d be registered as having a disability, maybe I’d get to be put with more quiet, nice people. 


                          • Megabunny
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                              Aw. That sounds great. On campus is really super if you’re with good people. My daughter wants to get a sugar glider she said people sneak in all sorts of animals….one had a dog! That’s an apartment on campus, but still… Besides, she figures if the sugar glider got kicked out…. Well…she waited for me to finish…Mom would take care of it!
                              “Oh and you’d love it, Mom”. Sigh. I probably would!


                            • Beka27
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                                I think, as Sarita mentioned, the biggest concern will be allergies. Rabbit allergies aren’t horribly common, BUT hay allergies are and you can’t get around providing hay to the buns. And even with having them in your own room, hay dust/rabbit fur will still get moved throughout the apartment/dorm. I’d invest in some type of air purifier either way. I think I’m familiar with the type of set-up you’re describing. There’s a common area (living room, small kitchenette) and then 4 separate bedrooms situated around?

                                Another issue that just came to mind, I would worry about upsetting people who might have had to leave their beloved pets at home. I mean I know that is out of your control, and you do have the proper paperwork to “legally” have them, I just don’t know about any kind of lingering resentment they may feel bc of the situation.

                                Hopefully you would be able to get hooked up with some kind, animal-loving people and the buns can kind of become the dorm “mascots”. I know you’d feel more secure if everyone was excited to have them around.

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                            Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Bunny in dorm as emotional support animal