Going to the University of Georgia doesn't mean you have to leave your best friend behind. If you choose to bring your pet with you to college your options will be slightly more constricted, but still many apartments near UGA are just as big of animal lovers as you. If you know where to look, there are plenty of pet friendly apartments in Athens that not only accept, but welcome your pet with perks like dog parks and green spaces.       

While we encourage you to check the apartment website or ask a leasing agent for the official community pet policy and read your lease completely, here are some general expectations for living in a UGA off campus pet-friendly apartment:

• Dogs: Most pet-friendly communities are inclusive to dogs. However, be aware that you may face breed or weight restrictions. In most cases, your dog should be tail wagging soon enough because Athens communities are considerate to having a dog while living in an apartment. Bring your buddy out to play at the dog park and meet new friends for you and your dog. 
• Cats: This is other most common pet allowed in your student apartment. You should have no issues with one cat, but if you have multiple or another animal, be sure to check your communities policy. Cats can be a great a option for those who may not have the time or space to properly care for a rowdy dog.
• Other: If you have a beloved pet of another kind that you'd like to come with you to school, you should check with the community before moving in or purchasing your desired pet. Birds, reptiles or exotic species can be allowed, but make sure any roommates you live with are okay with their additional housemate.

What to Expect in Pet-Friendly Apartments near UGA

When signing your lease for an apartment in Athens, you will be billed several fees. If you're community is pet-friendly then it is common to expect that you will have to pay a pet deposit. Apartments like to protect their units and anticipate for any damages that may result because of your pet. This way repairs can be made to the door frames, walls, flooring, plus a good cleaning can be done when you move out. If you're concerned about having to pay for these fees, renewing your lease can help you save yearly. 

How to Give Your Animal the Best Life in Your Pet-Friendly Athens Apartment

In college it can be a lot of work just to take care of yourself. Cooking, cleaning, studying, and trying to have a social life is exhausting enough. While pets can be great to boost your mood or stabilize your mental health, they do take work to care for. Make sure you're able to give them the best life you can before taking them with you to college. Whether you're a dog or cat parent, you want to make sure you have time to play with your pets, enough money to feed them well, and are able to give them a clean, healthy environment to enjoy.