Pet ownership is not a likely option for students living in the campus area.

Landlords’ policies, coupled with expenses, make it difficult to own a pet.

It is a feat to find a rental property that allows tenants to own cats or dogs. Of the many realty companies in the off-campus area, ten do not allow any animals in their buildings, and only four companies allow both cats and dogs in all of their units.

Not allowing animals in homes and apartments is part of an effort to keep the properties in better condition.

“Pets can do a lot of damage to carpets and other surfaces,” Pella Co. employee Rebecca Nichols said.

This damage is caused by the pets’ claws when they scratch on walls, floors and furniture. Defecation and other bodily functions damage carpets.

“Everyone says that their dog never makes a mistake,” said Lynnie Bradley, an employee of Coldwell Banker Commercial. “The dog is going to get sick if nothing else.”

Not only can landlords restrict the type of animals they allow on their properties, they can limit the number as well.

“If it is a multi-unit property, then the pets allowed is limited because there can’t be too many of them or it becomes a health hazard,” said Dan O’Neil of C.R. O’Neil and Co, a campus area real estate agency.

College students can leave places in unhealthy and disgusting conditions, O’Neil said. At times, such shabby apartments are hard to renovate.

“Sometimes there are problems when tenants don’t take their pets out and let them use the basement for a bathroom,” said Cassie Gray, an employee at Sales One Realty.

Companies which allow animals have an extra security deposit and monthly charges to cover evidence that a pet has been living in the apartment or home. Most of the security deposits are nonrefundable and range from $100 to $200. Monthly charges range from an extra $10 to $25 added to the rent. These numbers are according to the real estate agency contacted.

“The money is used to replace carpets and de-fumigate the apartment when the renter moves out,” Bradley said.

Vents and heating ducts need to be cleaned out in case the next renter has any animal allergies. Animal hair can get caught in the vents and circulate throughout the unit.

Before choosing to own a pet, students need to be aware of any pet restrictions in their rental agreement. They should know whether they have the resources necessary to care for an animal.

Many leases that restrict pets have penalties if one is found on the property, Nichols said. Penalties range from a $100 fine to an eviction.

“The renter is expected to have the animal removed immediately from the property,” Nichols said.

For some students, a pet is important enough to pay the extra money or run the risk of getting fined. Pamela Bucci, a junior in animal science, has two cats in her Patterson Street rental.

“My whole life I have always had pets around me. So it is important to me,” Bucci said. “They comfort and relax me.”

Bucci’s rental agreement allows her to have cats at a monthly charge of $15 per cat. Last year she lived in a house where her roommate kept two puppies.

“We didn’t receive any of our security deposit back, and part of it was due to having the dogs,” she said. “One of the bills was for soiled carpets because the dogs had more accidents in the house than they should have since they were puppies.”