What to do about pets when you go on rotation?

[hoffman784]

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Hi! 🙂 I'm a first year medical student and I'm considering getting a cat. I've grown up with cats, I finally live alone and the extra expense will be well worth it to have a furry friend. My only concern is what am I going to do when I travel for rotations third and fourth year? Or worse yet, when I go abroad and I don't plan on taking the cat with me what am I going to do? My parents can't guarantee that they can care for the cat while I'm away either. 🙁 Is anyone in this situation? Are there any suggestions? Thanks...

 

[Kateb4]

Hi! 🙂 I'm a first year medical student and I'm considering getting a cat. I've grown up with cats, I finally live alone and the extra expense will be well worth it to have a furry friend. My only concern is what am I going to do when I travel for rotations third and fourth year? Or worse yet, when I go abroad and I don't plan on taking the cat with me what am I going to do? My parents can't guarantee that they can care for the cat while I'm away either. 🙁 Is anyone in this situation? Are there any suggestions? Thanks...

What are your plans for the long run? Are you planning to travel alot for rotations or does your school offer alot in the immediate area? Really, if you can make friends with someone that would be willing to take care of your cat for a month or two per year, you would be fine. However, if you are interested in traveling alot for your rotations, or aren't sure, it would be better for the cat if you just waited until your life was more stable. I used to volunteer at a shelter and it used to make us angry when people would turn their pets in when they were no longer convenient. Not to lecture you or anything, but a pet is a commitment and if you aren't sure if you are going to be able to care for the cat in a year or two, maybe wait. (BTW, it's not fair to your parents either to dump your cat on them)

Good luck with your first year though!

 

[MossPoh]

If you are going to be gone for a week or two then you can usually board your animal. Its expensive, but doable....or you befriend someone that goes in feeds the cat, changes the litter, and place a little with it so the cat doesn't go crazy. There are plenty of options. If you plan on tons of traveling then invest in a good carrier and be very secretive if a place doesn't allow it.

 

[rddoms]

Good question. I got 2 dogs over the past 2 years, and don't want to get rid of them when rotations come up. Hopefully it will work out...