Many parents end up getting their child an animal at some point in their life and often consider it specifically the child’s pet, which can be confusing when the child eventually grows up and is ready to move out, leaving “their” pet behind.

The parents then must care for the animal themselves or abandon them. Many choose the second option. At the Ark, a local non profit and no-kill shelter, this story is all too common to the people who volunteer there.

“It’s a sad thought to think that [students] can’t take [their pets] with them, but I’d rather they take them [to the Ark] than another facility that will only house them for so long or even just abandon them,” says fellow Ark volunteer Alanis Craig.

“I’m going to The University of South Alabama and I can’t keep Mowgli (a young pit bull), so my mom wants me to give him away. I want to take him to the Ark because they won’t put him to sleep, and I think they will take good care of him,” explains Shea Hannagan, a senior at Bob Jones High School facing the same dilemma of leaver his pet behind.

While Hannagan is obviously trying to provide the best options for his furry friend, many others seem to just want to get rid of their animals.

The Ark has had to take in  several stray cats and dogs. Some are abandoned and some are just lost, as they are sometimes found with their collars on, or have obviously received basic training. The Ark has rescued kittens dumped over their fences, puppies locked in a barn, a kitten that was found in a nearby ditch, and even an injured little ten-week-old jack russell terrier tied to a flagpole overnight.

While heartbreaking, these stories happen daily. So while seniors should be looking to their futures, they should remember to look out for their pets as well.