I have to say that my post earlier wasn't ageist.  I too am a twenty
something college student.  In the time I have lived in this town I have
seen far too many neglected animals.  I'm not saying only students are
capable of this, but I've seen many cases of it.  those who take up
residence for 9 mos of the year and then move back home for the summer
often leave their pets to fend for themselves.  I took in a cat that had
been abandoned outside one of the complexes my husband and I worked for.
He was left behind and nearly starved.  He had ear mites and a bad upper
respiratory infection when I took him home.  The two ferrets we rescued
were merely a "cool" thing to have.  He could tell everyone "hey I've got
ferrets" but they had no litter box, no toys, one very old hammock, and
were lucky to have an hour of out of cage time each week.  There are many
college students who take good care of their pets.  I have seen a couple
in this town who have their ferrets out for walks on leashes.  I have
also seen and heard of other cases in the complexes where the animals
have been seriously neglected, and that is why I was worried.
 
Ok long story to make my point.
Tysa
[Posted in FML issue 3458]