Moving away for college and leaving family can be an emotional adjustment. But for some, one of the hardest goodbyes is their pets.
Students who live in dorms or certain non-animal-friendly apartments may have to leave their favorite companion behind while continuing their education.
While it can be difficult to brave everyday life without their furry friends back home, Gainesville and the surrounding area offer local spots for students to dull the ache and get their animal fix.
The Humane Society of North Central Florida
No-kill shelter Humane Society of North Central Florida offers a few opportunities to hang out with canine and feline pals as they wait for their forever homes. Animal lovers can volunteer to walk the dogs and socialize the cats.
A program called Doggie Day Out allows volunteers to take a dog away from the shelter for part of the day. They can go to certain parks, get a puppuccino at Starbucks or even spend the time at a volunteer's house if they have no other pets.
“The rule is always, ‘Any moment the dog is out of the kennel it is always good for the dog,’” Director of Development Franziska Raeber said. “So we try to make as many options as possible for them to go out.”
The shelter also has rooms where people can visit cats for a few hours. Feline lovers can hang out with the cats while they complete schoolwork or just play on their phones.
If students are looking for a semi-permanent animal fix, they can apply to foster the dogs or cats. The humane society will supply food, toys and beds to the foster parent.
The shelter is located at 4205 NW 6th St.
Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
If someone is missing their farm back home or wants to be near wildlife, there are multiple options for them. Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, a wildlife refuge in Gainesville, is home to more than 180 cows, making it the largest cow sanctuary in the country.
The sanctuary holds farmers “moo-kets” once a month and gives people the opportunity to visit its cows, pigs, donkeys and horses. The sanctuary also has a bison, turkey and water buffalo. During the “moo-kets,” visitors can give the animals treats and peruse local vendors. The next market will be held Aug. 23 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“We joke that we have the events to help us give enough belly rubs because we don't have enough time in the day to individually pet every single pig,” volunteer coordinator Katelyn Braglia said.
Students can also become a part of the volunteer family regardless of how much time they have. Volunteer tasks include gardening, weeding and fixing fences, and they can work their way up to more hands-on tasks with the animals.
The farm is located at 12626 NW County Road 231.
Retirement Home for Horses
Alachua’s Retirement Home for Horses at Mill Creek Farm rescues equines and helps them live out the rest of their lives in pastures with no responsibilities. The farm works with the horses to find the balance they need to feel safe and happy.
The farm is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can walk a trail connected to the pastures and have the option to hike short loops ranging between 1.6 and 2.9 miles. Visitors can feed the horses along the walkway and are encouraged to bring their own treats in the form of carrots, peeled bananas or cored apples.
There are also volunteer opportunities like grooming, fence mending and mowing.
Jane Hansen, a 69-year-old volunteer, has been helping the farm since 2008. She has gotten to know the horses on the property and make connections with other volunteers.
“If you have developed a love for horses, then this place is definitely the place to get your horse fix,” she said. “They never leave, so it kind of becomes your horse family.”
The farm is located at 20307 NW County Road 235A.
For more outdoor opportunities, animal lovers can walk Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail to visit Georgie the Cat, the trail’s ambassador. If a student doesn’t have easy access to transportation, they can stay on campus and hang out with campus cats, like Tenders, who can normally be found near Tolbert Hall.
Contact Teia Williams at twilliams@alligator.org. Follow her on X @teia_williams.
Teia Williams is a journalism student and in her second semester at The Alligator. She is a lifestyle and general assignment for The Avenue. In her free time she is constantly reading, going to concerts, or talking about her favorite celebrities.
